Chapter 226Â
“What did she tell you? What did you find?”Â
Daniel and Emily walked back together, their hands intertwined. It was all just for show, but Emily seemed to have gotten used to it,Â
shedding her initial shyness.Â
When they returned, Daniel still seemed uneasy. He looked Emily over before finally speaking.Â
Emily recounted everything Raina had told her.Â
“There’s some powder under her nails that turned a weird pink when exposed to air. If I hadn’t compared it with her other nails, I might’ve missed it. The powder isn’t poisonous, but it’s pretty rare, even in medical circles. As far as I know, Raina doesn’t have any medical background, right?”Â
Someone without medical experience shouldn’t have access to such powder. Unless she’s hiding her knowledge about medicine, or someone she knows is in on it.Â
Daniel’s expression grew more serious.Â
“Since we’re not sure yet, and she was eager to help prepare a gift for you to win your favor, I’ll wait and see what kind of gift she wants to give and if there’s anything off about it.”Â
Emily’s eyes flashed coldly. “Alright, I’ll go along with it.”Â
Daniel nodded.Â
Later, Daniel returned to his room, giving Raina another chance to approach Emily.Â
Emily wasn’t surprised when Raina showed up. But something felt off-could Raina have installed hidden cameras around the house? Or maybe some of the servants were her informants? How else could she always show up at the perfect moment?Â
“Good thing Daniel isn’t here, or we would’ve run into him!” Raina said, looking around the room as if checking for Daniel before patting her chest in relief.Â
Emily smiled. “This is my room. Why would you think Daniel would be here?”Â
“Oh, you know… couples and all. Don’t think I don’t get it!” Raina winked at Emily with a teasing expression, her face turning red.Â
Her reaction was so natural. If someone could act this well, even blushing on cue, Emily would have to be impressed.Â
“We’re just friends…” Emily lowered her head, pretending to be shy. Then she added, “Let’s not talk about this. I’m really curious about the gift you prepared for me. Will it really make Daniel happy?”Â
Emily looked genuinely curious.Â
Raina mysteriously took out a box. ‘Open it and see!*Â
Under Raina’s watchful gaze, Emily opened the box.Â
It was a sandalwood bracelet.Â
Emily was puzzled. ‘Will Daniel really like this?”Â
Raina explained, “Don’t underestimate this bracelet. Look at the carvings and the faint sandalwood scent. You probably haven’t met Daniel’s mother, right? She passed away early due to complications of childbirth. Before she died, she loved fiddling with bracelets like this, with similar carvings. There was a time when Daniel often had headaches, and this kind of bracelet helped calm him down. But the original bracelet broke one day, and since then, Daniel has become colder and more distant.”Â
Raina felt she didn’t need to say more. Emily, if she had any sense, would understand the underlying meaning. This bracelet was aÂ
spiritual comfort for Daniel.Â
Emily nodded, grateful. “Thank you. If this bracelet is as meaningful as you say, it could be very special. But there’s one problem-Daniel’sÂ
preference isn’t exactly a secret. Many people might try to win his favor with similar gifts. Will he really like it?*Â
Raina admired Emily’s thoughtfulness. “You’re right, but this bracelet is rare. Besides the unique sandalwood, the carvings were done by aÂ
master who usually doesn’t do this kind of work. I got it because I once helped the master with something.”Â
Emily was touched. “You could have used this bracelet to gain favor for yourself, but you gave it to me. If I win Daniel’s heart, I’llÂ
remember your kindness.”Â
She felt her acting was becoming more skilled. Her sincere expression made it hard to believe she was pretending.Â
Raina assured Emily that she genuinely wanted to help her, which is why she gave her the bracelet. They talked for a while, with Raina sharing more about Daniel’s past and preferences. Emily listened attentively, like a curious child.Â
When it was time for Raina to leave, she avoided everyone and returned to her room. Emily suspected that Raina might still be secretly monitoring her. So, after a while, Emily deliberately “dressed up’ and went to Daniel’s room with the box.Â
Emily handed the box to Daniel but cautioned, “This bracelet has been soaked in certain medicinal herbs. While these herbs aren’t harmful and can even be beneficial, they shouldn’t come into contact with another specific herb.”Â
Emily explained, “So keep the bracelet in the box and don’t take it out casually.”Â
Even if the bracelet was as meaningful as Raina said, Emily doubted Daniel could remain indifferent to such a bracelet.Â
“Don’t worry. It might have helped me in the past, but I’ve moved beyond that stage, Daniel said, his tone cold.Â
He was still somewhat affected, but he tried to control his emotions in front of Emily.Â
070Â
Emily thought for a moment. “Yes, it’s just an object, hiding false sentiments. It’s better not to have it. If I get the chance, I’ll get you aÂ
new one.”Â
“Alright, Daniel agreed, his deep eyes reflecting Emily’s delicate face, his emotions churning.Â
“Of course, this could be Raina’s test, so we need to keep acting and pretend that we don’t know anything,” Emily added.Â
Daniel agreed, and they reached a consensus. When Emily left Daniel’s room, she looked incredibly shy. Raina saw this and smiled with satisfaction. It seemed the gift was right. Daniel must have expressed his liking, causing Emily’s reaction.Â
To ensure everything was perfect, Raina sent Emily a message.Â
Raina: [How did it go? Did you give the gift to Daniel? How did he react? Was he happy and touched? Did he confess or make any promises?]Â
Emily saw Raina’s eager message. She deliberately waited a bit before responding.Â
Emily: [You were right. The gift was very meaningful. Daniel liked it, and he was very touched. Thank you. When I marry Daniel, I’ll make sure to reward you.]Â
At that moment, she felt like someone who had tasted sugar and was already dreaming of owning a candy house.Â
Raina’s face, however, was filled with mockery.Â
‘Fool, being sold and still counting money for the seller! No matter how cautious Daniel is, once he has a weakness, he’s no longer invincible,’ Raina thought, pleased with herself.Â
She was about to share her achievement when she received a call from her teacher. There was an issue with her project, and she needed to handle it urgently. This project was crucial to her success. Despite her doubts, Raina hurried to the lab.Â