Fake Heiress Reborn Drops Masks Finds Family (Noelle and Sebastian) novel Chapter 561

Shirley shot the man a glare. "What business is it of yours? Did I ask you to speak?"

"How is it not my business?" The man wasn't intimidated at all. Crossing his arms, he said, "If you piss Ms. Kain off badly enough that she leaves, can you handle Mr. Shelton's anger?"

Another disciple chimed in, "Exactly. Mr. Shelton comes looking for Ms. Kain every few days. She's basically his prized student. If you drive her away, do you think he'll let you off? At that point, forget your aunt. Even God himself wouldn't be able to save you."

Shirley's chest rose and fell violently with anger. She looked at the disciples defending Noelle, then at Noelle's emotionless face. Her lips trembled several times, but no words came out.

"Y-you people..." She stomped her foot hard. "You're all taking her side! What kind of spell did she put on you?"

Nobody paid her any attention.

Shirley turned and stormed away, but when she reached the door, she spun back around and gritted out, "Noelle, don't get cocky! Sooner or later, I'll show you who the best person in the Medicine Department really is! We'll see if you can still act this arrogant then!"

Noelle didn't even look up and continued organizing the herbs.

Furious, Shirley slammed the door behind her as she left.

The older disciple shook his head and sighed. "People from the Duncans really have awful tempers."

Another disciple lowered his voice and said, "Seriously. Just because she's the Duncans' legitimate daughter, she thinks she's above everyone else. Ms. Kain, don't stoop to her level."

Noelle looked up at them and nodded. "Thanks."

"No need for thanks. We're all family in the same department." The man waved it off and went back to work.

The Medicine Department gradually quieted down again.

The disciples returned to their work, though every now and then, someone would glance at Noelle with a mix of curiosity and admiration. As expected of someone the deputy head valued so highly.

After all that drama from Shirley, Noelle hadn't even blinked once. Most people didn't have that kind of composure.

Noelle returned the duskvine to the cabinet and continued sorting herbs.

Her head remained lowered, her movements calm and unhurried, but her thoughts were still fixed on Christine.

Can that woman really be trusted? Is she a friend or foe?

…

In the blink of an eye, the third day arrived.

Christine's chronic illness required ten straight days of needle therapy, so for the past two days, Noelle had been visiting the Duncan Residence daily.

Needle therapy in the morning, then back to the Medicine Department in the afternoon without fail.

He remained standing there, watching her disappear around the end of the hallway before turning and heading back to the Duncan Residence.

The Duncan Residence.

The man in black stood behind Christine. After listening to the servant's report, his brows furrowed tightly.

He waved the servant away, then lowered his voice as he turned to Christine. "Ms. Duncan, do you think she noticed something?"

Christine leaned against the cushioned daybed, still holding the untouched cup of coffee that had never been served.

She lowered her eyes to the coffee. The dark surface rippled faintly, reflecting her unreadable expression.

"Probably not." She set the cup down, her voice calm. "The Medicine Department summoned everyone, not just her. It's probably a coincidence."

The man in black still looked uneasy. "But the parasite's maturity period only lasts three days. If we don't plant it today, tomorrow will be the final day. And if something goes wrong tomorrow—"

"Then we do it tomorrow." Christine cut him off, sounding as casual as if she were discussing dinner plans. "She's not going anywhere."

She rose to her feet and walked to the window, gazing at the old shade tree in the courtyard. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, scattering broken patches of light across the ground.

She stared at those shifting shadows for a long time before finally speaking. "Keep watching her. Tomorrow morning, wait directly outside the Medicine Department. Don't give her any excuse to refuse."