Chapter 590

Annika widened her eyes in feigned surprise. "Oh my! Aren't you that lady from the mall? I had no idea you were a doctor."

Vivian Laurent looked up with a gentle smile. "What a coincidence. You're Han Xia, right? What seems to be the problem?"

"I took a bad fall a few days ago." Annika rubbed her knee with a pained expression. "The pain keeps getting worse. I can barely walk now."

After a brief examination, Ryan Fairsprene said, "Superficially it doesn't look serious, but we'll need an X-ray to be certain."

"Of course, doctor." Annika bit her lip. "But I'm really struggling to walk..."

Vivian stood up immediately. "Let me help you."

"Wouldn't that be too much trouble?" Annika gave an apologetic look.

"Don't mention it." Vivian supported her arm. "You helped me at the mall last time."

Annika studied Vivian's profile discreetly. The woman's skin glowed with porcelain perfection, her lashes thick and dark. She suppressed the jealousy churning in her chest.

"I never imagined you were a doctor." Annika forced sweetness into her voice. "I'm Han Xia. And you?"

"Vivian Laurent."

"What a beautiful name." Annika dug her nails into her palms.

She remembered everything Master Zero had sacrificed for this woman. The entire organization believed Shadow was dead, yet her master never stopped searching. He'd even injured himself to return to Vivian's side.

"You're trembling." Vivian's voice held concern.

"My foot hurts terribly." Annika managed a weak smile.

After the examination, Annika pulled Vivian onto a hallway bench to chat.

"You must still be in school?" Vivian asked.

Annika shook her head. "My family couldn't afford it. I'm working now."

"Being independent is admirable." Vivian's tone was kind.

"Just menial jobs." Annika lowered her gaze. "I envy you, Dr. Laurent. Beautiful, accomplished... you must have many suitors."

"Hardly." Vivian chuckled. "You're quite lovely yourself."

Annika leaned closer suddenly. "We actually look alike. May I call you sister?"

She searched Vivian's eyes for any reaction. What spell had this woman cast to make Master Zero so obsessed?

The medical report trembled slightly in Annika's grip. She needed to proceed carefully—no missteps. Master's warnings echoed in her mind, but resentment coiled around her heart like a venomous serpent.