Chapter 36

Surgery On Your Behalf

"Indeed, I'm the Sight Weaver." Esme hesitantly took the surgery bill, guilt flashing briefly across her eyes as she scrambled for an explanation. "It seems there might've been a mix-up with my lawyer. Perhaps he sent this by mistake."

Disbelief filled Cary's eyes. "Not just a bill-the lawyer included a letter, too."

According to the letter, if the twenty million wasn't settled within three days, the Sight Weaver intended to sue Cary.

Esme's pulse quickened, yet she managed to maintain her facade. "I distinctly told my lawyer otherwise.How could such an error occur?"

Glancing anxiously at the contact number listed below,she reassured him swiftly. "Relax, Cary. I'll clarify this immediately."

Realizing she couldn't risk making the call in front of him, Esme discreetly stepped away to a secluded corner before dialing.

Moments later, Caleb's phone rang. Noting Esme's caller ID, he promptly handed the phone over to Evelina.

Activating her voice changer, Evelina answered indifferently, "Yes, who's speaking?"

Unfamiliar with the altered voice, Esme cleared her throat politely and adopted an ingratiating tone."Good day. I'm Esme Barton-| studied under Professor Landen Mitchell and was a junior to the Sight Weaver. Could you connect me with her directly,please?"

Hearing Esme's sweet tone, Caleb visibly shuddered.

This woman changed personas with unsettling ease.

"This is the Sight Weaver," Evelina said, prompting an enthusiastic squeal from Esme on the other end.

"Hello! I'm thrilled to finally make your acquaintance after hearinng so much about you." Esme greeted with an unusual deference.

Yet,Evelina remained skeptical."There was no one by the name of Esme Barton among my mentor's students."

Esme's cheeks turned red with shame. "Well, I wasn't formally enrolled, but I did attend some of Professor Mitchell's lectures. I'm technically your junior-"

Evelina interjected sharply, "Let's skip the pretenses.What do you need?"-

Desperately, Esme said, "There's an ophthalmology surgery I need help with in three days. Could you possibly oversee my work?"

She laid on her charm thickly, much like she did with her male acquaintances,hoping it would sway Evelina.

Evelina responded firmly and disgustedly, "I'm not available for that."

Esme asked, "What if I compensate you generously?"

Evelina retorted, "I'm not interested in your money."

"But surely, everyone has a price," Esme insisted,trying to bait her.

Pushing her final offer, Esme said through clenched teeth, "What if Ioffer six million for a session? Would that change your mind?"

Evelina couldn't hide her disdain.

Esme was backed into a corner and raised her bid."Seven million..."

Evelina answered with nothing more than a chilly scoff. Esme clenched her jaw. "Ten million-that's seriously everything I've got."

"You charged the Russell family fifty million for that surgery on Miss Russell," Evelina said,knowing well the stakes involved.

Sweat beaded on Esme's forehead.

Indeed, she had quoted fifty million, conditional on the success of the surgery and Miss Russell's recovery.

At present, her advance payment was merely ten million.

"That's a fabrication! I never-" Esme stammered, but Evelina cut off the call.

Evelina instructed Caleb, "Ignore any calls from Esme.She needs time to think over her actions before the operation."

Esme had overstepped by impersonating her and misusing her mentor's respected name, and now she faced the repercussions.

"Okay, we'll leave her to ponder her situation. But Evelina," Caleb interjected with a change of subject."Isn't today your day for shooting practice?"

Evelina, caught off guard, responded, "Shooting practice? Why would I do that?"

Caleb's words startled Evelna's memory. "You set up a shooting contest with Idris from the Ghost Market to trace your biological parents,remember?"

At his reminder, the years Evelina had spent seeking her origins came flooding back. Finding her biological parents wasn't about reunion; it was about understanding her beginnings and the reasons behind her abandonment.

Throughout her nationwide search, she had uncovered no leads, pushing her to enlist help from the elusive Ghost Market.

Rumors circulated that the Ghost Market's leader had connections deep enough to find any secret.

Navigating the market's unique rules had been challenging, but eventually, Evelina managed to establish contact with Idris Cortez, a key confidant of the market's boss.

With Idris's resources, the possibility of locating her parents seemed finally within reach.

"When is this contest happening?" Evelina had assumed she had more time to prepare.

Caleb's expression turned grim. "It'sset for tomorrow.Idris is an acclaimed marksman. You'll need to outshoot him to gain his assistance."

This news caught Evelina completely off guard.