Chapter 394 Knowing Without Saying
Arabella wanted Paloma back at the Howard Villa.
Brad frowned. "And in what capacity? As Juniper's mother, or as Evander's wife?"
Arabella's expression was a tangle of emotions. "Just as Juniper's mother. Though... I admit I have my own reasons."
She knew exactly what weighed most heavily on Felix's heart. It was always the same two things: Alexander's marriage, and Evander and Paloma.
All she wanted was for Felix, in the final stretch of his life, to have no regrets—to leave this world in peace.
Arabella let out a long sigh. "It won't be easy. I could try to find Paloma, but... I have no idea how to bring it up once I do."
Brad understood instantly. "So you think it would be embarrassing for you, and you want me to be the one to take the hit?"
Arabella smirked. "You can handle it."
In truth, Arabella simply wanted Brad to persuade Paloma to stand beside Evander during Catherine and Alexander's engagement party. Nothing more. But even that single request was hard to put into words.
After all, the Howard family owed the Harrison family far too much.
"Five hundred thousand dollars," Brad said flatly. "No discounts."
Arabella rolled her eyes, pulled out her phone, and transferred the money without another word. The moment the transaction went through, Brad stood up, smiling with satisfaction.
"I'll go now," Brad said, "but I make no promises about the outcome. Fate is not something you can force."
Arabella flicked open a silk fan embroidered on both sides. "Take Juniper with you."
Brad had just stepped out of the courtyard when he froze at the sound of her voice, calm and distant. "First, because this is her parents' matter. Second, if you can give away even your cross, then meeting her will do you no harm."
Arabella was clearly aware of more than she was saying.
Brad's hand instinctively went to his chest, searching for the cross he no longer wore. His touch met only empty fabric. His expression remained composed, unreadable.
"I understand," he said quietly.
Moon Laboratory.
The lights blazed against the night. Multiple controlled experiments were carried out in flawless coordination, each station moving with precision. The team had been working without proper rest for an entire week, all to create a new medication that would give Felix enough strength and comfort to attend the engagement ceremony.
When the final tests concluded, Catherine finally allowed herself to exhale.
Gavin, who had been assisting in the lab, was wide-eyed. If Catherine hadn't been short on manpower, he never would have gotten the chance to watch Moon Laboratory in action.
This was Phantom Doctor Moon.
Seeing the seamless process from start to finish, Gavin realized that in the face of true genius, effort alone could not compare. He had been defeated completely.
As one of the top-tier medical scholars in the country, Gavin had once considered himself a prodigy. But after witnessing Moon's work, he knew—he was nothing of the sort.
Rubbing his face, he muttered, "Franklin's experiments were unethical, but... I can't deny there were things worth learning."
Catherine's tone was calm. "No. Without Franklin's experiments, they would still be geniuses—happy, fulfilled geniuses with healthy families. Talent exists regardless of who tries to claim it."
Gavin's eyes lit up. "Then the fact I'm working in your lab now must mean I have some talent too, right?"
After all, countless people had applied to the Galactic Aurora Collective, and most had been rejected.
"No," Catherine said evenly. "It's just because you still have hair."
Gavin stared at her, speechless.
Catherine bent over the latest vial. "This will make my grandfather more comfortable for now."
Time was short, but she had developed this kind of drug before. Still, every medicine carried its price—and this one more than most.
When she left the lab, the night sky was alive with stars. The North Star burned steady above, a fixed point in the darkness.
Leaning against a sleek black car, Alexander was waiting. His tailored suit fit him perfectly, the top button of his shirt undone to reveal the sharp line of his throat. The moment he saw her, he crushed out his cigarette and his smile softened into something warm and enduring.
"Come here."
"How did you know I'd be done now?"
"Tomorrow's the day we deliver the medicine to Grandfather," he said.
He knew she would work until everything was ready.
When his gaze caught the dark smudges beneath her eyes, something in his chest tightened. "You've worked hard."
"It's fine. But this drug... there will be side effects. I've done my best to minimize them, but in the final days, he may forget people."
Forget everything—that was the price.
Catherine placed her hand in his, her voice steady but heavy. "My grandmother had already lost her memories before she took it. For her, the side effects didn't matter. For Grandfather... you decide."
Alexander nodded. "I understand."
Gavin strolled up, grinning. "Mr. Howard, mind giving me a ride?"
He looked exhausted—days of working with the Galactic Aurora Collective had left him sleeping only two or three hours a night.
"Get in," Alexander said. "I'll take you home."
"Thanks, Mr. Howard."
Twenty minutes later, Gavin was snoring softly in the back seat. Beside Alexander, Catherine had fallen asleep too, her head resting against his shoulder, their hands still linked. He looked down at her face, peaceful even in exhaustion, and smoothed away the faint crease on her brow.
"Annie," he said quietly to the driver, "go slow. Don't wake them."
"Yes, sir."
The Harrison Villa.
Owen studied Brad and Juniper from across the table. After a pause, he said, "It's not my decision. Ask Paloma yourself. I have only one condition—her health must be protected. No stress. As for the engagement party, she should attend. She's always liked Catherine."
And knowing Catherine had performed his surgery had only deepened Paloma's gratitude.
Juniper nodded and left with Brad, heading toward the hospital. "My mom's recovering well. If she wants to, she should be fine to attend next week..."
Her words were cut off by the screech of metal on metal. The car jolted violently, skidding forward under the force of the impact.
From the front, the driver's voice was tight with adrenaline. "Ms. Windsor, we've been rear-ended. I'll go check."
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