**Outside the Mikkelsen Family Mansion*
Abel felt a sudden wave of panic.How could this be happening?His uncle had kicked him out because of Fiona?Could it be that his uncle was unhappy with him? Abel had always acted with confidence because he believed Lucian valued him.But now, seeing this cold side of him, he was starting to panic.If his uncle was dissatisfied with him, would he still take him back to Heavenly Capital City?
"Brother Abel," Emily timidly tugged at his hand.
Abek took a deep breath and said, " Emily, I think I understand Fiona's scheme! My uncle is a man who values contracts above all else.If I break off the engagement without a good reason, he will definitely be displeased with me.And Fiona is using this to gain sympathy!"
Emily looked at him with wide, innocent eyes."So, are you still going to break off the engagement?"
"Yes, of course, we have to!" Abel gripped her hand tightly. "The engagement must be broken, but Emily, the one who breaks the contract can't be me.To break off the engagement, we need to make Fiona the one at fault."
Emily lowered her head.
Abel spoke softly, "Emily, I know this is hard for you.But my uncle's favor means a lot to me." He glanced around and lowered his voice, "My uncle has no children, and from what I've heard, he might never have any due to certain reasons.He's here in Riverside City partly for business and partly to see me.If he's pleased with me, I could not only go back to Heavenly Capital City with him but also possibly..."
"Become the heir to the Mikkelsen Family."
As he finished speaking, Abel's eyes were filled with ambition. Emily's gaze flickered slightly. If Abel became Lucian's heir, then the vast Mikkelsen Family in Heavenly Capital City...
Emily immediately said considerately, "I'll do whatever you say, Brother Abel. There's no rush to call off the engagement!"
"Emily, thank you." he pulled her into his arms, a fleeting look of calculation in his eyes. Fiona, I've uncovered your scheme.You did make me hesitate to call off the engagement.But if you do something disgraceful, and then I break off the engagement, no one can blame me. Abel's eyes gradually turned cold.No matter how furious he felt inside, at this moment, he and Emily could only leave in defeat.
*Inside the Mikkelsen Family *
Fiona glanced at Lucian with some concern and then softly asked, "Mr.Mikkelsen,does your head hurt?How about I give you a massage?"
He frowned slightly and said, "It's nothing.I'm used to it.You don't need to trouble yourself."
This headache had plagued him for over a decade.Constantly, like a shadow, he had indeed grown accustomed to it.
"How could this be considered trouble?" Fiona said, taking the initiative.She stood behind him and gently began to massage his head. Lucian wanted to refuse, but the comfort he felt was like a drowning man finally breathing fresh air. It was something he couldn't resist.His furrowed brow visibly relaxed. Uncle Fox glanced gratefully at Fiona, then quietly stepped back.
In the ensuing silence, Lucian spoke, "You want to call off the engagement?"
"Yes.I never had any feelings for him," Fiona said casually."If it weren't for Mr. and Mrs. Dawson insisting, I wouldn't have dated him in the first place."
Lucian squinted slightly."You seem to care a lot about the Dawson family."
Fiona hesitated for a moment, then honestly replied, "I'm an orphan.Back then, the orphanage I was in was in crisis and about to be sold.It was Mr. Dawson who funded our orphanage. I owe them a great debt."
For that kindness, she was willing to clip her own wings and become a stand-in.
Lucian frowned, clearly disapproving."I've looked into the Dawson family. Hilbert does charity work, but he always brings a bunch of reporters with him.He's just doing it for his own reputation."
"No matter what his intentions are, the fact remains, he helped the orphanage and all of us orphans," Fiona said calmly.
Lucian paused for a moment.Yesterday at the banquet, Fiona had let the bracelet incident slide without calling the police.Lucian had thought she was a bit weak.Now, he realized that Fiona was simply showing gratitude. Born into the Mikkelsen Family, he was used to seeing schemes and betrayals. Acts of kindness being repaid with enmity were common.Encountering someone like Fiona, who repaid kindness with kindness, stirred an unfamiliar feeling in his heart. Someone like Fiona was indeed too good for Abel.
After a moment of silence, Lucian asked, "Do you need help with the engagement cancellation?"
Fiona shook her head."No, Abel will probably bring it up himself. I just need to go along with it."
Lucian thought about it and agreed, saying no more. The atmosphere returned to its quiet state.
As Fiona finished the massage, she hesitated for a moment before speaking softly, "Mr. Mikkelsen, I'm sorry for the disturbance last night. I'll be leaving soon,but don't worry, I'm willing to come by every day to give you a massage."
Lucian raised an eyebrow."My nephew is a troublemaker, and the Dawson family isn't exactly kind-hearted.If you live alone, no matter where you stay, once they find you, you'll undoubtedly face a lot of trouble."
Fiona was about to say something, but Lucian continued, "Even if you're not afraid, dealing with these people will inevitably take up a lot of your time and energy."
That was true. Fiona nodded reluctantly.Not to mention, if these people hired some thugs to harass her every day, her life would become much more complicated.
"I'll be staying in Riverside City for a year.If you live here, I can guarantee your safety for one year. Fiona, you're in your senior year of high school. After a year, you'll take your college entrance exams, and then the world will be your oyster.Of course, if you really don't want to stay here, I suggest you leave Riverside City.I can help you move to another city and start fresh." Lucian spoke calmly. He genuinely wanted to help her.The Dawson Family, along with the branch of Abel's family, were the local powerhouses in Riverside City. He had just arrived and didn't have enough people to cover everything yet.
Here, if Fiona stepped out of his protection, he wasn't confident he could fully ensure her safety. Lucian was speaking the truth. Fiona paused for a moment, starting to weigh the pros and cons. Moving to another city wasn't a good option. Riverside City was where she had grown up; her roots were here.She couldn't bear to leave her friends at the orphanage.Besides, with college entrance exams approaching, every second was precious.She didn't want to waste time adjusting to a new city. Fiona quickly made her decision.
She said earnestly, "For this year, I'll be relying on you, Mr. Mikkelsen.... you are a good person."
A barely noticeable smile appeared at the corner of Lucian's mouth, and he said nothing more. Fiona couldn't help but massage more carefully. Since she was living and eating here, she felt she had to do something to feel at ease. Fiona thought, maybe she could find a way to treat Lucian's headaches? With this in mind, after breakfast, she asked if she could check Lucian's pulse. Lucian agreed nonchalantly.
Uncle Fox looked at Fiona with eyes full of hope.This Miss Dawson was the only one who had actually relieved the Young Master's headaches. Maybe she really could cure him?
As Fiona felt his pulse, her eyebrows furrowed slightly. Previously, based on Uncle Fox's description and her own observations, she had guessed that Lucian might have neurasthenia ( Chronic fatigue syndrome).But now, feeling his pulse, she realized that his condition was much worse than she had thought.His pulse was weak, sometimes disappearing, with an irregular rhythm, indicating a deficiency in his heart and spleen, and overall physical weakness.
Back at the Dawson Family, Nora used to complain about headaches all the time, and Fiona would massage her at least three times a day. Lucian hadn't said a word, but his pulse was much worse than Nora's.
Fiona even thought that this level of nervous breakdown would have driven anyone else insane. Fiona's expression was very serious.
Uncle Fox asked cautiously, "Miss Berry, how is he?"
Fiona withdrew her hand and said gravely, "It's worse than I imagined. Mr. Mikkelsen, can you tell me how many hours you sleep each day?"
Lucian remained silent.Uncle Fox quickly answered, "Young Master usually sleeps only two or three hours a day.But last night, he slept for a full seven hours, thanks to Miss Dawson's massage."
The massage had worked.But Fiona's expression didn't improve much.She said slowly, "Yesterday was the first massage, so the effect might have been better.But over time, the effect will definitely diminish."
"What... what should we do? Miss Dawson, you have to find a way!" Uncle Fox was completely anxious.
Lucian glanced at him and said calmly, "Don't force it." He had long grown accustomed to the constant, shadow-like pain. If he could endure it, he would. But if one day he couldn't bear it any longer, he might just go mad.Perhaps going completely mad would be a form of release for him.
Uncle Fox immediately fell silent, his eyes pleading as he looked at Fiona Dawson.
Fiona pondered for a moment before speaking firmly, "Mr. Mikkelsen if you trust me and follow my instructions for the next year, I am confident that I can restore at least eighty percent of your health."
Eighty percent?
Lucian looked at Fiona in surprise.His condition had been examined by top traditional medicine experts, all of whom were helpless. Yet Fiona claimed that in just one year, she could restore eighty percent of his health?