Chapter 257: Bad Feeling

In the hospital, the doctor was speaking to Caryn, who was still inside the plastic-covered isolation unit.

"Ms. Shaw, due to the new medicine, your body has responded really well to the bone marrow transplant," the doctor said as he looked through her reports. "But that doesn’t mean you are entirely recovered. It can take up to a year for the immune system and blood count to return to normal."

She almost glared at him. "Don’t tell me I have to stay here for an entire year. If that’s the case, I’d rather leave and die."

The doctor, well aware of her temper, remained calm and replied, "No, you don’t have to stay in the hospital for a year. A month will suffice. In fact, this plastic isolation will be removed soon, and you’ll be free to move around inside this room while continuing to follow all precautionary measures. Though you’ll be allowed to return home, for a year, you must strictly follow the precautions. Once you’re fully recovered, you’ll be free to do as you please."

"I’ll be a prisoner in my own home for an entire year," she said with a frown.

"Better than being in a hospital, isn’t it?" the doctor asked.

Caryn didn’t answer. Soon, the plastic confinement around her was removed, and she felt as if she could finally breathe freely. However, hospital staff and visitors still had to wear protective hospital clothing to visit her.

Eric came to see her. "How are you feeling now?"

Instead of answering, she asked, "It’s been a few days—has Aiden not returned yet?"

Eric shook his head and said, "Don’t worry about him. It’s not the first time he’s gone away."

Her already serious expression turned grave, her voice cold. "Where exactly has he gone?"

"I’m not sure, but it must be some company-related work," Eric tried to sound casual.

"Company-related work, and you’re not sure of what exactly it is, huh??" Though her voice was weak, it still carried a strict edge that could intimidate anyone.

"This time, he didn’t tell me," Eric replied, feeling nervous. It was always difficult to hide anything from Caryn; she was skilled at reading people.

"What are you hiding?" she asked again, her piercing gaze fixed on him.

Eric let out a helpless sigh. "Trust me, this time I truly don’t know where he’s gone."

Caryn frowned deeply and said, "You can leave."

Once Eric left, the anger on her face softened into a look of worry.

she thought.

She closed her eyes, her brows knitted in concern. For days, an uneasy feeling had lingered in her mind, and her worry for Aiden grew stronger.

When she opened her eyes, her gaze shifted to the edge of the bed, where Aiden was sitting a few days ago, the last time she saw him.

Images flashed through her mind—him skillfully injecting a syringe into her skin, as if he were the doctor.

Once he was done, he had looked at her intently. "I want to know who’s been trying to harm you for the past few years."

"You don’t need to know," she had answered dismissively.

"If I don’t know, how am I going to protect you all the time?" he asked.

"Just focus on your work. That part, Eric can handle."

"Eric can’t. They’ve turned more aggressive, and I need to find them before..."

"If you had let me die, they would have stopped already."

"You faked your death and kept yourself alive to protect your daughter from a distance. Was it all just so you could one day die like this?"

"Natalie is capable enough to protect herself, and I’m tired of living," she replied.

There was a silence on his end for a while before he stood up and turned to leave. With his back facing her, he spoke, "But I want you to keep living, and I’ll make sure you do."

Caryn called out to him softly. "Aiden..."

"I have to go away for a while. Until then, all I ask is that you take your medicines on time and stop worrying," he said, leaving without even turning to look at her.

Watching him leave, she had felt uneasy even then. Now that he hadn’t returned for several days, the unease in her heart was growing.

Despite asking him to leave and give up the last name she had given him, she had never truly meant it. Now, as worry consumed her, she could see that clearly. Maybe Aiden had known it too, which was why he never took her words seriously.

-----

Inside a luxury car, Briena and her mother were on their way to the venue of the perfume competition.

"That bitch didn’t even reveal she was going to participate, and all of a sudden, her name is there," Briena fumed, her face twisted in annoyance.

"So what if she’s there?" Clara replied calmly. "You’re still going to win. Your grandma will make sure of it."

"I know, but I don’t trust that bitch these days. Who knows what plan she’ll come up with," Briena said, her tone laced with distrust.

"You are Aroma. You’ve won that competition before, and everyone knows how capable you are, while they see her as a plagiarist. The judges must already despise her," Clara said, placing a comforting hand on Briena’s. "The formulas your grandmother provided for you were bought from someone skilled and paid for handsomely. Your grandma personally tested and selected the best ones for you. You have nothing to fear."

Briena hummed in agreement. "Let’s see what that bitch comes up with."

When Briena reached the venue, her fans were already gathered. The moment they spotted her car and she stepped out with her mother, the crowd erupted in cheers. She looked stunning as usual, dressed in expensive clothes, exuding the aura of a superstar.

The reporters waiting for her couldn’t resist bombarding her with questions. She happily answered them, showcasing the fake sweetness she was so skilled at.

"Ms. Briena, are you going to remind everyone once again of who you truly are—the perfume prodigy, Aroma?"

"I’ve been away from this field for many years, but I’ll try my best not to disappoint you all and to make everyone remember my past achievements," she replied sweetly.

"Do you think you’ll win?"

"As I said, I’ll do my best. The rest is up to the judges to decide."

"It’s so good to see you so humble and grounded, Ms. Briena."

Just then, another luxury car arrived, immediately drawing everyone’s attention. It was a limited-edition model, the kind only the wealthiest could afford.

The place went silent as everyone waited to see who it was, including Briena and Clara.