Chapter 190

No sooner had Nolan Reed left than Serena Blake appeared before Silas Kane in her stilettos.

With no cameras around, she could finally drop all pretenses.

"Silas!" she cooed, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Silas looked up, brows slightly furrowed.

Serena settled beside him without invitation, her skirt brushing against his trousers.

"You came to see me, didn't you?" She tilted her head, flashing what she believed was her most charming smile.

Silas subtly shifted away.

"I saw the name on the medical records," Serena whispered, batting her lashes. "Don't worry—your secret's safe with me."

Silas paused mid-movement, halting his attempt to stand.

"Thanks," he said flatly.

"Since when do we stand on formalities?" Serena playfully swatted his arm.

Silas suppressed the urge to recoil.

"And what exactly is our relationship?" he countered.

Serena flushed, biting her lip. "After... after everything, you're still playing dumb?"

Silas nearly choked on his own saliva.

"I'm here for medical treatment," he deflected.

Serena instantly adopted a concerned expression. "What's wrong?"

"My heart." Silas gestured to his chest. "Aria Bennett says she can treat it."

At the mention of Aria's name, a shadow flickered in Serena's eyes.

"Is she even qualified?" she feigned worry. "Maybe you should see Dean Laurent instead?"

Silas shook his head. "Dean Laurent recommended her."

Serena's fingers tightened around her skirt.

"You and Aria..." she ventured, "are you really just classmates?"

"Yeah." His tone remained indifferent.

Serena pouted. "I don't like her. She's always bullying me."

A glacial glint flashed through Silas's eyes.

"What do you want?" he asked.

Serena's gaze grew calculating. "Silas, you should pursue her."

"Pursue her?"

"Yes!" Serena said excitedly. "Once she cures you, dump her. Let her taste what it feels like to be played!"

A cold smile curled Silas's lips.

"Brilliant idea," he said.

Too absorbed in her triumph, Serena missed the dangerous shift in his demeanor.

Footsteps approached in the distance, prompting her to scramble upright.

"I should go." She hurried off, her heels clacking urgently against the stone path.

Silas watched her retreating figure, his expression turning arctic.

Meanwhile, Aria Bennett and Damian Cross sat in Dean Laurent's office.

"Welcome aboard!" The dean beamed as he handed them two forms.

Aria finished filling hers out swiftly and cut to the chase. "I heard your institute houses rare medicinal herbs?"

Dean Laurent stroked his beard. "Those are our treasures."

"Are they for sale?" Aria asked bluntly.

The dean shook his head. "Not normally, no."

Curious, he inquired, "What do you need?"

Aria exchanged a glance with Damian.

"Century-old lingzhi," she said. "To save a life."

Dean Laurent's expression sobered. "That urgent?"

Outside the window, a shadow flitted past unnoticed.