Scott Livinus gave no reaction.
The water in this pool was constantly flowing, and the indoor temperature was perfectly regulated, making it feel wonderfully comfortable. Sophia had always loved swimming. She’d taken lessons from a young age and had excellent form. After a few laps, she felt pleasantly warm. Although swimming looked easy, it was actually quite physically demanding. She decided to finish with one last dive, but just as she submerged, her goggles started leaking. Squinting against the water, she swam to the edge, only to bump right into someone.
She removed her goggles, squinting as she started to apologize, but the moment she looked up, she was met with Scott Livinus’s face, startlingly close.
They were mere inches apart, close enough for Sophia to see the droplets clinging to his long, wet eyelashes.
Uncomfortable with such close proximity, she quickly turned and submerged again, holding her breath as she swam away.
Scott Livinus stayed where he was, frowning slightly.
Did he look that intimidating? Why did Sophia always seem to run off whenever he came near? Or could it be…
A dark glint flickered in his eyes as he watched her swim away, lost in thought.
Sophia climbed out of the pool and wrapped herself in a towel that highlighted her graceful neckline and long legs. Men approached her, trying to make conversation, but she brushed them off with a polite but firm smile.
“Hey, Livinus!”
A cheerful voice called out, and Sophia looked over to see Nancy, the short-haired girl, walking up with a grin. “Didn’t expect to see you here!”
Mr. Scott rarely smiled, but he made an exception. “Where’s your brother?”
“I came alone.” Nancy’s gaze flicked to Maggie, who was standing nearby looking awkward, and she smirked. “So, Scott, do you know this high-society lady?”
Livinus’s brows knit slightly.
Maggie forced a strained smile. “You’re mistaken. Actually, I…”
“Oh, I get it. Some people strike it rich and suddenly start talking about class like it’s the latest trend. No idea what’s happening to this pool lately. Seems like anyone can get in.”
Maggie’s smile wavered, looking pitifully at Livinus. “Livinus, that’s not what I meant. You know I’m not like that. I don’t have any bad intentions.”
“Right! You’re the most innocent of all! The whole world’s out to get you!”
Sophia was stunned. She hadn’t expected this soft-spoken Nancy to have such a strong bite.
Maggie looked like she was on the verge of tears, trailing behind Mr Scott with a sorrowful expression, hoping he’d come to her rescue.
But unfortunately for her, Livinus showed no signs of intervening, his expression remaining distant and cool.
Nancy turned to Sophia, grinning. “Hey, gorgeous! Are you single? How about I set you up with Livinus? If he’s not your type, I’ve got an equally handsome brother—take your pick!”
Sophia was speechless.
Chloe stifled a laugh.
Livinus shot Nancy a frosty glare, his brows furrowing tightly. “Stay out of other people’s business.”
“Oh, come on, Livinus. She’s really pretty! Great figure, great personality! And she’s totally your type, right?”
Livinus’s eyes darkened, his expression icy as he turned and walked away.
Sophia was thoroughly embarrassed. “Nancy, Livinus is my husband’s uncle. Technically, he’s my uncle-in-law. I’m the soon-to-be ex-wife of his nephew, Scott Henry.”
Nancy froze.
“Anyway, let’s set that aside. I see your nose and eyes are red and a bit teary. You’ve been here for a while—your rhinitis must have flared up, right? If it’s that bad, why don’t you come to my clinic? I’ll help you treat it.”
Much later, Nancy would look back and marvel. How was it that a simple day at the pool ended up curing her allergic rhinitis that had plagued her for over ten years?
—
The next day, Nancy drove for miles, followed by a twenty-minute hike through winding mountain paths, before she finally reached Sophia’s clinic.
She looked at the modest, old building and the vast tea fields surrounding it, astonished.
“You run a clinic here? Sophia, do you even know the most important factor for a business?”
“What’s that?”
“Foot traffic! Customer flow! You’ve set up shop in this remote place—who’s going to come?”
Nancy had just returned from studying abroad and wasn’t yet aware of the scandalous details about Scott Henry. It had taken her some time to learn that he was openly keeping a mistress and even bringing her home. To make matters worse, this mistress, Olivia, was the quintessential “white lotus.” Nancy was outraged on Sophia’s behalf. With Sophia’s position at risk, Nancy felt she at least needed some financial security. But looking at this rundown clinic—no customers, practically invisible—how would she make any money?
Sophia just smiled. “If the medicine’s good enough, people will find their way here. Healing isn’t like other things; as long as I have real skill, the patients will come.”
“But this place is just too out of the way.”
Nancy didn’t know how skilled Sophia actually was, but she didn’t want to outright say she doubted Sophia’s abilities were enough to make people trek all this way. After all, the city had numerous hospitals, including two dedicated to traditional medicine, not to mention various small clinics. What was so special about this obscure little clinic that people would go out of their way to visit?
“No worries, Nancy. Look—you found your way here, didn’t you?”
Nancy hesitated. “Only because I wanted my rhinitis treated.”
“Yes, and I treat all kinds of ailments. So, no need to worry about me. In a month, I’m confident this clinic will be bustling with patients. You’ll see—soon, even you might have to take a number to see me.”
“Oh, give it a rest!” Nancy laughed, not holding back.
Sophia chuckled. Nancy’s bluntness was refreshing, but she really did mean to help her. Rhinitis was a minor ailment that could cause long-term suffering, and it seemed to be unusually common in this country. The previous night, she’d done some research online and found countless cases of infants already suffering from rhinitis. Just thinking of a baby unable to breathe properly or feed was heartbreaking. Adults didn’t have it much easier; many suffered from rhinitis their whole lives with no cure, making their lives miserable. Severe cases even led some patients to contemplate suicide.
Sophia took Nancy’s pulse and asked, “What symptoms do you usually experience?”
“My nose is itchy and easily irritated. Dust, pollen, even fabric fibers can trigger a sneezing fit. Cold weather, cold food, spicy food—it’s all a problem. Once it starts, I can’t stop sneezing, my eyes itch like there are bugs crawling in them, they get inflamed and bloodshot. My throat and ears itch too, and my nose is constantly blocked, so I have to breathe through my mouth.”
Sophia nodded. “Have you noticed you have a slight underbite?”
Nancy froze. “What do you mean? Are you saying I need plastic surgery?”
“…”
