Hayden Crawford’s peripheral gaze never left the delicate figure in the corner. Upon hearing he was getting engaged, she showed no reaction, standing quietly there. Hayden curled his thin lips into a shallow, self-deprecating arc. Just then, the elevator arrived, the door opened, and he exited with Anabelle Rathborne. "Annette, let me take you home." "Thank you, Hayden," Anabelle replied with a happy smile. Serena Sterling returned to the Sterling family house, and as soon as she entered the room, she collapsed onto the bed, unconscious. Serena’s parents, Beryl and her husband, were terrified and quickly summoned a doctor. Serena had a high fever that wouldn’t break, her exquisite little face, the size of a palm, entirely flushed. "Doctor, why hasn’t my Serena woken up? A high fever shouldn’t cause this, right?" Beryl anxiously grabbed the doctor. The doctor wiped cold sweat from his brow. "Mrs. Sterling, your daughter’s high fever is quite severe and sudden, which led to fainting. This fever will go through a process before it subsides, but she should wake up soon." Although the doctor reassured them repeatedly, both Beryl and her husband were on edge. Serena had always been protected by her precious blood and had never been sick, but this time, with a 42-degree fever, her entire body was like a furnace, and they feared it would damage her brain. The maid constantly applied cold water, and Beryl stayed awake all night, using a cold towel to physically reduce Serena’s fever. Serena never woke, remaining in a deep sleep. Serena’s father, seeing his daughter so pale and powerless for the first time, commented, "We’ve always seen Serena as wise, composed, and confident, like a brilliant star. But now she lies lifeless in bed, showing the fragility of a twenty-year-old girl." Serena’s father sighed, "What on earth is wrong with this child? How did she suddenly fall ill out of nowhere?" "Indeed, A University made it to the top five today, and our Serena became renowned in Aethelgard. In three days, the Academy of Sciences will enter the top five universities for talent selection, which is Serena’s purpose for coming to Aethelgard—to enter the academy and obtain the second box left by Miss back then. How could she fall ill at a time ?" "We have to believe in Serena. She will surely recover by the day of the academy selection!" The maid opened the villa door, "Miss, you’re back?" "Yes," Aurora rushed in passionately, "Where’s my grandpa? I need to see him!" "Miss, the Master is in the study," the maid respectfully replied. Quickly ascending the stairs, Aurora pushed open the study door, "Grandpa." Old Master Knight was searching for books beside the bookshelf. This large study was filled with bookshelves, densely packed with medical classics, many of which were rare special editions. Nobody in Aethelgard wasn’t aware of the Knight family’s obsession with medicine. As the president of the Academy of Sciences, Old Master Knight’s pursuit of medical skills was almost manic. "Grandpa, stop reading. I have something important to tell you!" Aurora firmly pulled at Old Man Knight. Looking up from his book, Old Man Knight glanced at Aurora with sharp eyes, although very fond of this granddaughter. "Aurora, what do you want to tell Grandpa?" "Grandpa, have you heard about the recent Aethelgard celebrity, Serena Sterling?" Old Man Knight chuckled, "The one who scored a perfect 750 on the joint exam, Serena Sterling? I’ve heard lately her name is quite widespread." Aurora huffed discontentedly. Even Grandpa had heard of this Serena Sterling. With a 750 score, it was hard not to know, right? "Grandpa, I heard in three days the Academy of Sciences will be selecting talent from the top five universities?" Old Man Knight nodded, "Yes, I personally plan to meet this Serena Sterling then." "Grandpa, let me be blunt—I don’t Serena Sterling!" "So, Grandpa, keep that in mind. If you don’t help me, I’ll go to my brother. He spoils me, surely he’d help..." Before Aurora could finish, Old Man Knight’s expression changed, throwing the book heavily on the table, chiding, "Nonsense. Your brother is currently in secluded cultivation, at a critical breakthrough stage. Aurora, I warn you, do not bother your brother!" Aurora was the apple of the Knight family’s eye, but she was still very afraid of Old Man Knight. She knew her brother was the future and hope of the Knight family, whom Old Man Knight valued most. The Knight family’s eldest grandson, Felix Knight, was extraordinarily gifted from a young age, proficient... in poisons. Felix Knight had mastered poisons to an extraordinary level. Now, once he breaks through, he will be unstoppable. "I understand, Grandpa." Seeing Aurora composed herself, Old Man Knight’s expression softened slightly. "Aurora, I’ve told you before, over twenty years ago, the Knight family almost faced ruin. Back then, a mysterious and extraordinarily strong woman appeared in Aethelgard. Nobody knew where she came from, with unparalleled medical skills that nearly destroyed the entire Knight family. Later, I heard she died, but her descendants were never found. Over the years, I’ve placed all my hopes on your brother, and he has never disappointed me." "Aurora, you’re our family’s precious jewel. Grandpa and your brother dote on you, but you must know the Knight family has bottom lines that mustn’t be crossed. Regarding Serena Sterling, Grandpa has taken note. She’s nothing to worry about. Since you dislike her, she won’t be appearing at the academy’s selection in three days. Is that satisfactory?" Aurora remembered the story of the mysterious woman that Grandpa once mentioned, still finding it shocking. She wondered what kind of woman could overpower the entire Knight family alone. Three days from now is the selection day for the Academy of Sciences, and Grandpa promised not to let Serena show up. Aurora quickly beamed with delight. She knew Grandpa agreed to intervene! Aurora quickly linked arms with Old Man Knight, affectionately saying, "Grandpa, you still spoil me." A Rolls-Royce Phantom luxury car parked on the lawn of the Westerley Estate, and Hayden Crawford got out of the car, clutching his jacket as he entered the villa. The elder Mrs. Crawford was already asleep. Hayden had seen a composed and dignified silhouette on the living room sofa—it was Jude Crawford. Check latest chapters at novel_fіre.net His father Jude had actually come! Hayden tossed his jacket onto the sofa, "Why are you here?" "I came to visit Grandma, and she’s already asleep." As he spoke, Jude’s deep gaze fell upon Hayden’s bruised and scarred face. "What happened to your face?" At this moment, Beryl exclaimed, "Oh gosh, young master, why is your face black and blue... Did you get into a fight?"