Jack couldn't take his eyes off Emily Carter, who was dressed in an elegant, body-hugging silk qipao. His gaze was openly appreciative as he raised his glass, flashing a casual yet sincere smile.
"Emily, that dress looks absolutely stunning on you."
Emily's cheeks flushed slightly, though it was hard to tell if it was from the wine or the compliment. She raised her glass in return, her voice soft and composed.
"Mr. Jack, you're too kind."
No woman disliked being complimented for her looks, and Emily was no exception. Jack continued enjoying the meal, savoring the wine and the feast. The food, the wine, and the beautiful company made for a truly satisfying evening.
Once he'd eaten his fill, Jack stood up, ready to leave. Just as he turned to go, Emily's soft voice called out from behind.
"Jack, wait — this is... my silk nightgown."
She held out a crimson silk pajama set, her face tinted with pink, possibly from the alcohol or something more. Jack paused, glancing at the delicate garment, then waved his hand and smiled faintly.
"Thanks, Emily, but I'm not in the habit of collecting women's sleepwear. You should keep it."
"I only came tonight to make a donation, nothing more."
Without waiting for a reply, Jack turned and headed for the door.
Emily was breathtaking, that much was clear. But he could also see through her: she was ambitious — dangerously so. Jack had no intention of getting tangled with her... at least not yet.
Just as his hand reached for the door, a soft cry came from behind him.
"Ouch!"
There was a sharp clatter as something fell to the floor. Jack immediately turned back.
Emily had collapsed, her hand clutching her side, her face pale and twisted with pain. Without a second thought, Jack rushed over and helped her up.
"It... hurts. So bad," she whispered, her body trembling slightly.
Jack gently placed a hand on her wrist — her pulse was irregular, clearly not faked.
"System, scan her," Jack murmured in his mind.
A mechanical voice instantly rang out in his consciousness.
[Ding! Scanning target... abnormality detected near the lower right abdomen. Diagnosis: Possible tumor-like mass. Recommend immediate medical intervention.]
Jack's sharp eyes narrowed. He activated his Eagle Vision and focused on the area Emily was clutching. As the system reported, a bean-sized lump was clearly visible beneath her skin.
Without hesitation, Jack scooped Emily into his arms. Her waist was soft and slender, making it almost too easy, but his mind stayed clear. He gently laid her down on the bed.
When he glanced at her form-fitting qipao, his head throbbed with frustration. The mass was located roughly ten centimeters to the lower right of her navel — right in an awkward spot.
Her pain was getting worse; Emily was on the verge of fainting.
Jack gritted his teeth, reached for the hem of the qipao, and with a quick, decisive motion, tore the side open just enough to reveal the target area. Then, he carefully adjusted her shorts downward to expose the skin around the lump — enough space for precise acupuncture.
[Ding! Medical Silver Needles ready. Best operating window: 45 seconds. Recommend immediate treatment!]
Jack retrieved a set of silver needles from his system space, his movements swift and steady. Despite the urgency, the scent of her perfume — a blend of rose and something more intimate — teased his senses, testing his willpower.
Seconds felt like hours.
Beads of sweat formed on his forehead as he placed the final needle. Slowly, the pain drained from Emily's face, her complexion returning to a healthy flush.
Jack finally exhaled and carefully withdrew the needles. He covered her body back up with a blanket just as she stirred awake, letting out a soft, almost involuntary sigh.
For the first time in weeks, she felt completely free of pain.
Her dazed eyes met Jack's, and a faint blush spread across her cheeks. She didn't need to ask what had happened — her body could feel the difference.
Jack stood, shaking his head slightly.
"Better go to the hospital tomorrow for a full check-up," he advised in a calm, but serious tone. "Especially the spot I treated just now."
He hesitated for a second, then decided to tell her the truth.
"It's likely a benign tumor."
Emily froze. For a moment, her eyes widened, her earlier sense of relief replaced by shock.
She had always assumed it was just stomach pain, nothing serious. The word "tumor" hit her harder than any needle.
Seeing her stunned expression, Jack quickly added, "It's not too late. You caught it early, it's treatable."
"Really?" Emily's voice was small but hopeful.
"Yeah. Western or Eastern medicine — both can handle it. Just don't put it off any longer."
After saying this, Jack finally left the room for real. The lingering heat from the scene still stirred in his chest.
Emily lay there, staring at the ceiling, her heart in chaos. The pain had been real, but during those moments when Jack had treated her, she had been fully aware of his careful hands. A strange warmth welled up in her chest.
Jack stepped out into the cool night air, lifting his head toward the bright moon. The crisp breeze helped settle the wild thoughts in his mind.
He turned to glance back at the building, chuckling wryly.
"What a night."
Since he'd had a few drinks, driving was out of the question. Spotting a nearby hotel, Jack decided to check in for the night.
A presidential suite.
After a cold shower, washing away both sweat and unease, the rest of the night passed quietly.
The Next Morning.
After breakfast at the hotel restaurant, Jack was about to leave when an entirely different story was unfolding elsewhere in Riverton.
In a run-down corner of the city, a young punk with dyed blond hair clutched his phone excitedly.
"Boss, I found it! That Venom sports car, I finally found it!"
"Good work. Stay put and keep an eye on it," a cold female voice replied on the other end.
Hanging up, the punk stared at the sleek black Venom parked by the roadside. He had been combing Riverton's luxury hotspots for days, knowing the car was worth over a million dollars.
"Man... a single car like that could buy a dozen apartments," he mumbled, mouth dry.
As he was admiring the car, a custom red sports car rolled up beside him. The driver was none other than his "big sister" — Yuki He, a notorious local street queen.
The moment Yuki laid eyes on the Venom, her heart raced. She strode over and caressed the sleek surface, her eyes sparkling.
"It's even more beautiful up close," she whispered.
The punk, looking around nervously, leaned closer.
"Boss... are we really gonna steal it?"
Yuki didn't answer, her gaze locked on the car as if it were the ultimate prize.