Chapter 12

Dorian immediately took the cup over and stared squarely at Mildred, not even so much as blinking. His gaze was so dark that it resembled an endless dark vortex, ready to suck her in. "Let's hope this is the last time you have amnesia, Mildred." He downed the cup until the very last drop was gone, then turned to show the empty cup to her. It was spotless. His chest heaved for a few seconds before fresh blood oozed from the corner of his lips. He curled his finger and wiped off the blood. With an arm on the side supporting his body, he looked exceptionally laidback and free, yet his smile was enough to steal one's soul. "Do you believe me now?" A loud thud sounded the next second. Dorian had completely passed out before Mildred. Though speechless, she quickly pulled out the antidote, pried open his lips, and stuffed it into his mouth. By then, she couldn't help but wonder if she had saved—no—slept with a fool. About ten minutes later, Dorian finally stirred. When he saw Mildred beside him, his lips curled into a faint smile. She mocked, "Pull yourself together if you're up. I didn't plan on killing someone on a random afternoon." He slowly straightened his back and touched his forehead. "It does hurt a little." "Only because you knocked your head against the table when you passed out." He didn't say another word. The silence was swiftly broken when someone knocked on the door of the private lounge. Mildred cleared her throat. "Come in." In came Miguel, who reported, "Mr. Sheppard, the Gingers have invited you over to their place tonight." She laughed. "Kieran sure is eager." The dough was barely in the oven, yet he was already so desperate to covet the Sheppards. "Who else will be attending?" asked Dorian. "Mrs. Luzon Senior and Mr. Luzon will be there. I heard he was at the Ginger residence since morning." Dorian shook his head. "He's not there. He's next door." Mildred was confused. When she walked into the next room and pushed open the private lounge door, Arthur had his back to the entrance, pressed up against the shared wall between the two rooms. His one hand was cupped like a makeshift listening device, and his hips were swaying side to side with exaggerated enthusiasm. "What else could they be talking about… Why isn't she out yet…" Mildred crossed her arms and arrived behind him. Calmly, she asked, "Can you hear me now?" Without missing a beat, Arthur answered, "I can't. Gosh—I can't take this anymore. Is the stone-faced punk giving Dr. Miracle a hard time?" Her hands fisted. "Didn't I tell you not to call me that?" "Oh, right, right. Old habits die hard. I—" Arthur's body suddenly froze, and he stiffly turned around, wearing a harmless and innocent smile. "Doc… I mean, Mildred…" "Why are you here?" Before Arthur could answer, he jumped as he caught sight of Dorian at the door. "So that he does nothing to you! No matter how you put it, we're practically engaged. I have to protect you, don't I?" At that moment, Dorian strode into the room. "Hey, Mr. Luzon. If my memory serves me right, you broke the engagement in front of all the elites in Riverdale last night. In fact, you even said you'll give her to me." "I was drunk!" Arthur anxiously refuted. "I didn't mean it!" "That body of yours doesn't look like it can take much alcohol." "I meant I was disoriented after the meds kicked in!" "Both of you, shut up!" Mildred snapped. "Our engagement is called off, Arthur. I'm telling you now that I will not marry you. If you bother me again in the name of our engagement, I won't treat you anymore—might as well say goodbye to being healed." Arthur immediately lost his edge. "I… Well, can't you just sleep on it…" Meanwhile, Dorian secretly smiled in delight. She said she wasn't going to marry Arthur, but she hadn't turned him down… Mildred said, "Since you're here, I might as well tell you something." Arthur's eyes lit up. "Go on!" "Kieran will do everything in his power to find out about the miracle doctor—" "And my lips are sealed!" Mildred shot him a cold glare. "Tell him to go to The Elmwell Practice on Elmwell Lane in Westbury. That's where you found the miracle doctor." Even Arthur was stunned. "What?" … As evening fell and the sun dipped below the horizon, two luxury cars pulled up outside the Ginger residence at the same time. Kieran, accompanied by his younger siblings, came out to greet them. Seeing how Arthur opened the car door with a wide grin for Mildred, Dorian immediately lost his composure. Nox tugged at Tamara's hand. "Stop sulking. Look—in just a few hours, Mildred has managed to piss Dorian off. There's no way he'd ever like her." Tamara smiled lightly, then covered her swollen cheeks. "But my face…" "The doctor said the swelling will reduce in another two days. Besides, everyone in Riverdale knows how gorgeous you are. The thing that truly attracts Dorian's heart is your personality." She nodded confidently. "I got it!" She had been talented in various fields growing up, and Mildred was definitely not her competitor. After exchanging pleasantries, the group moved into the Ginger residence. Dorian was at the very back, and Miguel reminded him, "Liven up, Mr. Sheppard. Is this because Ms. Ginger didn't join you for the ride? Is this necessary, though?" Dorian fixed his eyes on Arthur at the front. "That two-faced jerk pretended not to understand Mildred's plan and kept bombarding her with questions. Sooner or later, I'll deal with this punk." Miguel was speechless. Dorian had never been this hostile, even when faced with an actual murderer—how ridiculous. "Dinner is ready. Let's get seated!" Kieran led the group into the dining room, where a long table stood at the center, surrounded by 12 mahogany chairs. He took the seat at the head of the table, as if it were only natural. Nox and Adrian slipped into the seats beside him without hesitation, and Margaret also settled in. Tamara remained standing to the side, eyes fixed eagerly on Dorian. She was waiting for him to sit down so she could take the seat beside him. However, neither Dorian nor Arthur moved. Margaret beckoned them over. "Arthur, Mr. Sheppard, come join us!" Meanwhile, Mildred had just returned from the bathroom and randomly chose an empty seat near the door. Arthur and Dorian then each took a seat beside her. An awkward silence hung briefly in the air. Tamara quickly claimed the seat beside Dorian, beaming as she sat down, completely oblivious to the fact that someone of his status should never have been seated near the door in the first place. Once the dishes were served, Kieran raised his glass with a polished smile, offering a few pleasantries before picking up his utensils. When most of the guests had eaten their fill, he cleared his throat and said, "I heard Mrs. Luzon Senior is a connoisseur of fine wine. I happen to have a rare vintage in my cellar, and I'd be honored if you'd try it." At his signal, a maid stepped forward and poured a glass of the freshly opened wine. Margaret took a sip and nodded. "Indeed, it's excellent." Kieran laughed and lifted his glass. "About last night—I was out of line. Allow me to offer a formal apology. Three drinks as penance, with deepest respect. I hope you'll forgive my offense." He downed three glasses freely, and Margaret finally went along with the main topic. "Why don't you get to it, Kieran?" He hurriedly pleaded, "The engagement between the Ginger and Luzon families has been set for years. It's truly a pity to just call it off. I see Arthur and Mildred are getting along well. Why don't we give them our blessings?" Mildred snorted coldly. "I've only known him for two days, Kieran. Giving your blessings already? Are you going to marry me off to whichever man who looks in my way?" Suddenly, Nox threw a wine glass onto the table. "You're in no place to speak when Kieran and Mrs. Luzon Senior are talking, Mildred." Tamara stared at Dorian, then softly said, "Hey, Mildred. Kieran's just looking out for your future. You should tone it down." Adrian adjusted his glasses. "Mildred grew up in the slum and was barely educated. Please forgive her, everyone." Kieran gently chimed in. "You're misunderstanding me, Mildred. You and Arthur were engaged from the start. He's also the heir of the Luzon family—probably the best man you could wish to marry in all of Riverdale. "I'm just looking out for you as your older brother." Mildred smiled dryly. "If he's so great, then why don't you let Tamara marry him?" Having been cued, Tamara nervously clutched at the hem of her skirt. "Mildred, I'd never imagine stealing your fiance from you." Kieran nodded along. "That's right. Tamara's marriage can wait. After all the years you've suffered out there, it's only right that we consider your well-being and future first." Every word they used seemed reasonable and irrefutable, yet for some reason, it sounded like a dig at her ungratefulness. Naturally, Arthur didn't detect any hint of unusualness in their words. Instead, he turned to Mildred, full of anticipation. "Why don't we…" At that moment, Dorian finally spoke up. "You know… I have a younger sister too. If she'd gone missing since she was a child and suffered greatly alone, I, too, would feel immensely remorseful and guilty toward her. "Heck, I'd even wish to take her place and endure the suffering." Kieran smiled. "You get us, Mr. Sheppard." A low chuckle escaped from Dorian's lips as though he had heard the funniest joke in the world. "Therefore, I'd do everything in this world to make it up to her and ease her pain. To me, no one in this world would cherish her more than I do. "So, Mr. Kieran, what makes you so eager to marry her off? Do you believe a stranger who barely even knows her would love your sister more than you do?"