After her rebirth

Katniss observed Aaron's face for a few seconds, then withdrew her gaze, smiled

slightly, and shook her head, saying, "It's too late, Maximilian. Let's go back as soon as possible."

Aaron's condition was clearly not good; he had lost even the most basic ability to take care of himself. Ella had a fiery personality and was the least patient when it came to caring for such patients.

She would soon look for Clara again.

Although they had raised her for ten years, Katniss couldn't really get close to them. Maybe, there was even hatred.

The first person to know that she and Clara had been switched was not someone from the Manners family, but Aaron.

Once, when a medical team went for a free clinic, Aaron had taken the whole family for a check-up.

It was during that check-up that Aaron discovered Katniss was not his biological daughter.

He even went to Luminous City several times and found the Manners family, but seeing how they had raised Clara like a little princess, Aaron didn't dare to bring it up.

He was even afraid that once Katniss learned to read and write, she might go to Luminous City for school or work, so he delayed her schooling for a long time, not even letting her attend kindergarten.

While other kids were already writing and doing arithmetic, Katniss was still climbing trees and catching birds with the boys in the village.

If it weren't for Aaron's concealment, Katniss wouldn't have waited until she was ten to be taken back.

In her previous life, she wouldn't have ended up in such a situation.

After learning the truth, Katniss had hysterically confronted Aaron, argued, and hated him.noveldrama

But at that time, Aaron, dragging his frail, paper-thin body, knelt in front of her. "Katniss, I'm sorry. You can hit me or scold me, I accept it. Take out all your anger on me. Clara is innocent; she knows nothing."

Then he started kowtowing, his forehead almost swelling.

Now, Katniss could still remember her desolate feelings at that time. Everyone loved Clara, but who pitied her?

Even wanting a bit of familial love was so difficult. She had spent decades trying to fit in but never succeeded.

Katniss pressed her lips together, stiffly moved her eyes away, and stopped looking at them. Then she lifted her foot and pushed Maximilian to leave.

After getting in the car, Maximilian suddenly reached out, his large hand ruffling her hair. "Were you crying just now?"

Katniss blinked, her hand gripping the door handle tightly.

"No!" Katniss's smile was bright and stubborn. "I'm doing great now. I wouldn't cry for him; he's not even my real dad."

Aaron was a liar, a liar who ruined her life!

So what if he was sick and dying? It was his deserved retribution.

"Alright, you didn't cry," Maximilian's voice was low and hoarse.

"It's his retribution! It's retribution!" Katniss bit her lip, her voice choking.

"Alright, it's his retribution," Maximilian sighed, reached out to hold her, and pulled her into his arms, his sharp jaw resting on her dark hair. "He's bad; we won't care about him."

As soon as he said that, Katniss couldn't help but cry.

She turned her head, grabbed Maximilian's clothes, buried her face in his chest, and cried, both devastated and restrained.

Maximilian patted her back with his other hand, not saying a word, letting her hot tears soak his chest until her sobs gradually subsided.

After a long time, Katniss finally sat up straight.

"Your eyes are all swollen. When we get home, let Mira use some ice to reduce the swelling," Maximilian said with a mix of amusement and helplessness.

Katniss pressed her lips together and said nothing.

Her gaze fell on his chest, which was wet from her crying. Now he had to wash his clothes again.

After dropping her off at Golden Crest Estates, Maximilian returned to the office.

In the living room, Mira had already prepared some ice, but seeing Katniss's swollen eyes, she was quite surprised. "Katniss, why are you crying like this? Who bullied you?" Then she tenderly helped Katniss apply the ice.

Katniss felt a warmth in her heart, touched her swollen eyes, and shook her head embarrassedly. "It's nothing serious, just the wind was too strong, and it made my eyes like this."

Mira was shocked. She hadn't even gone out today. Was the wind in Luminous City that strong?

If you're loving the book, nel5s.com is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you!

"Then you should wear a scarf next time. You're still young, but if you don't take care now, your eyes might suffer when you're older."

Katniss obediently agreed, "Okay, Mira."

After finishing the ice treatment, Katniss went back to her room, thinking about preparing to treat Caius.

His condition was severe; it would be a long battle.

Just as Maximilian was starting his rehabilitation training and didn't need daily acupuncture treatment.

Katniss planned to use all her free time on Caius, making Ashley's $20,000 worth it. Meanwhile, Katniss was meticulously researching treatment methods.

On the other hand, Maximilian was handling business affairs.

Managing both the Hamilton family and the Boleyn family companies, Maximilian had

to deal with the Boleyn family banquet during the day and spent a long time at the hospital at night.

The work had piled up like a small mountain.

Maximilian seemed used to it, his face cold and composed.

There was no sign of fatigue on him as he skillfully handled a million-dollar deal.

It was at this moment that Jesse's call came in. Maximilian glanced at the contact name and ignored it, letting it vibrate.

Soon, the phone rang again.

Maximilian put down the pen he was using to review contracts, his face stern, and pressed the answer button, his tone cold and unfeeling. "You better have a good

reason."

On the other end, Jesse had already guessed his call would be ignored.

Jesse raised an eyebrow, smiling slyly.

"Impressive."

"Where did you find someone who could pull Caius back from the brink of death?"

If you're loving the book, nel5s.com is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! When the hospital staff came to Jesse's house to inform him of the situation, Jesse had almost immediately waved them off.

It wasn't that he didn't want to help, but Caius's condition was such that unless he

could teleport instantly, no one could do anything.

Then he heard about the miraculous turnaround.

Maximilian's voice was calm, "If you're not as skilled, you should learn."

Jesse, intrigued, said, "Your wife made quite a splash during the joint free clinic. Looking back now, she was very restrained at the time."

Maximilian's eyes narrowed, "Are you very free? Get to the point, or I'll hang up."

Jesse's voice took on a hint of amusement. He had inquired in detail about the situation from the on-duty doctor at the time.

"Your wife used a technique that should be the long-lost Shadow Acupuncture."

"Its ability is famously known as 'snatching people from the hands of death.""

"The last time Shadow Acupuncture appeared in the medical world was twenty-eight years ago, before we were even born."

"Alright, I got it."

Maximilian's eyes gradually filled with pleasure, a smile tugging at his lips. "It's just that none of you are skilled enough to match a girl barely twenty."

"Fine, fine, I'll accept that. How about it? Want to set up a meeting so I can learn from Katniss?"

Over the years, Jesse had privately dubbed himself invincible in the medical field.

Maximilian said seriously, "I'm warning you, don't get any ideas about her."

"How long have you been married? You can't even bear to let her meet someone, protecting her like this."

"If you're so idle, go join an overseas medical team. I'll buy you a ticket right now." "You're so cruel. Goodbye."

After hanging up, Maximilian lifted his dark eyes to look at Emilio.

"Send someone to keep an eye on Ella."