Chapter 277: Returning to the Country

Chapter 277: Chapter 277: Returning to the Country

By the time Vance Wyatt returned to the hotel with the information, it was already five in the afternoon.

The rain had stopped. Vivian Lowell sat by the window, enjoying the gentle breeze and watching the bustling street below.

"President Faulkner, Madam." Vance knocked gently before entering the room to explain Shelly Lowell’s situation. "She trespassed at Fashion Week and is currently in custody. She’ll be detained for seven days.

"However... I looked into it, and she has already acquired Gallian citizenship. It would be impossible for us to have her deported back to our country to face the music for her past actions.

"Also, her claims of being sick are true. She has medical records at a hospital in Pariden, but because she couldn’t afford the exorbitant medical fees, she was temporarily discharged.

"She had no choice but to wait in line at a public hospital and see if she could find a suitable bone marrow match. We just didn’t expect that Madam would be a match."

Vivian looked up at Vance in surprise. To think that Shelly had already obtained Gallian citizenship! It seemed Robert Lowell and Sharon Galahad had long prepared an escape route for Shelly when they realized the Lowell Family might be in trouble.

"Tsk." Vivian shook her head.

The difference in treatment between a biological child and an adopted one was truly staggering. But on second thought, even when she was little, Robert and Sharon had never been all that good to her. When had they ever treated her like a real daughter? It was only after taking Shelly back, when the Lowell Family’s financial situation had vastly improved, that their "compassion" was suddenly ignited, prompting them to shower Shelly with all that "repayment."

What absolute hypocrisy! Vivian felt a wave of disgust.

Just then, Julian Faulkner walked over. Standing behind Vivian, he gently smoothed the wind-tousled hair at her temples and said softly, "It’s fine.

"All of that is in the past. Shelly is alone in a foreign country; she won’t be able to stir up any trouble. Let’s just leave her to her own devices.

"Even though the public hospitals in Gallia are very cheap and she can enjoy the benefits, illness is highly unpredictable, isn’t it?

"Many people pass away long before they can wait for a suitable match."

Julian’s words carried a profound, underlying meaning.

Vivian nodded in silence, offering no rebuttal. It was true. Needing an expensive transplant wasn’t the most terrifying part of an illness; the true terror lay in the inability to find a suitable match, leaving one to slowly agonize while waiting for death.

Recalling everything Shelly had done to her in her past life, Vivian couldn’t muster even a shred of sympathy. "Then let’s ignore her for now," she said.

After concluding their conversation about Shelly, Vivian and Julian freshened up and headed out for dinner. Grandma Faulkner, Finn, and Eleanor Rhodes joined them. The group chatted and laughed, mentioning how they should find time to visit The Northlands now that Fashion Week was over. They wondered if they might catch a glimpse of the auroras—if only they could be so lucky!

What they didn’t know was that on the other side of the city, someone was paying a visit to the detention center where Shelly was about to be held.

Joy Drake stepped out of the car. Looking at the facility before them, she glanced at Hazel Drake and asked, "Are you absolutely sure Shelly is here?"

"I’m sure," Hazel replied, a playful smirk flashing across her lips. "My people have been tailing that Vance Wyatt the whole time. Thankfully, they weren’t spotted. But from what I see...

"Julian and the rest don’t seem to care much about this Shelly. It doesn’t look like she’s someone capable of making any waves. Why are you so interested in her?"

Joy sneered. "Shelly herself might be useless, but her background could come in handy. Come on, let’s go check it out."

Chatting as they entered the detention center, the two pulled a few strings using their connections in Gallia and immediately bailed Shelly out.

A few minutes later.

Hazel was driving, while Joy and Shelly sat in the backseat. Staring at the luxury brands adorning Joy’s body, Shelly’s eyes practically gleamed.

"Who are you? Why did you save me?" Shelly asked, managing to maintain her composure.

Over the past six months, she had experienced far too many drastic ups and downs. She was terrified of dying, yet she desperately yearned to return to the life of wealth and luxury she had briefly enjoyed for two months!

"It doesn’t matter who I am." Joy smiled, her tone gentle. "As for you, could you tell me a little about yourself? About how you were adopted when you were little."

Shelly looked suspicious, but the next moment, seeing the check Joy handed over, she cast her doubts aside and spilled everything she knew.

Fashion Week soon came to an end.

During this period, Vivian established contact with several potential partners. She decided to push forward with the projects they had practically finalized as soon as she returned to the country.

Finn was thrilled. While helping Vivian push her luggage at Pariden International Airport, she exclaimed, "You’re so amazing, Boss! You came out for just one trip and signed so many huge deals!

"If Leo knew about this, she’d definitely be ecstatic!"

Vivian nodded noncommittally. She knew Leo would complain about the massive workload while simultaneously working her heart out in high spirits to earn more money.

Nearby, Vance was also helping with the luggage. Seeing that Finn looked a bit tired, he approached her and asked, "Finn, how about I help you with that? You’ve been carrying it for so long. Take a break."

Finn hadn’t even noticed Vance at first. The moment he spoke, she whipped her head around and glared at him warily.

"No need, I can do it myself!"

Finn thought to herself, "Vance is definitely trying to steal my job! Given the relationship between President Faulkner and the boss, if he curries favor with the boss by doing chores for her, President Faulkner will definitely treat him better, too! Hmph! I am the most trusted person under the boss. If Vance thinks he can gain the boss’s trust by snatching my work, I’m not going to let him!"

"..." Vance was bewildered. Seeing Finn’s hostile reaction, he muttered to himself in confusion.

He wondered what was going on. He had merely made a passing offer. Why did it feel like he had just become Finn’s mortal enemy? Feeling depressed, Vance decided to keep his mouth shut.

The flight back was as long as ever. Departing in the evening, they didn’t arrive until the morning of the next day. Vivian had managed to sleep quite well on the plane.

As soon as they landed in Aethelburg, Julian had the chauffeur arrange a car to head back to the company.

Vivian checked the time. It was just past seven. Well, if they left now, they could actually make it to the Faulkner Group before the official nine o’clock start time.

"You head back first," she said to Julian. "I have so many things with me, so I should probably go home first. Grandma is tired too, and I want to keep her company while she rests."

Besides, Vivian also wanted to check on her two fur babies at home. Even though Ms. Shaw was taking care of them, she still couldn’t help but worry!