Susan Evans shot Lana Evans a secret thumbs-up, her eyes sparkling with approval. No one handled a scheme quite as thoroughly as Lana.
If you’re going to fake an illness, you’d better commit to the full act. Lana Evans had already scouted out a clinic and slipped silver to the doctor. So even if Sam Evans had his doubts, once he dragged her there, the doctor would put on a show, and Sam would be convinced his precious daughter was at death’s door.
But now, just as the Wang couple decided to crash the party, Lana Evans didn’t flinch. She’d already mapped out her counterattack.
Yuan Jie hustled Lily Evans, the Wang couple, and the rest into the hall. Susan Evans and her crowd shamelessly tagged along, thick-faced as ever.
Susan Evans sidled up to Sam Evans and murmured, "Sam, Lily and her doctor stepfather are here—strike while the iron’s hot! Ask for money and medicine, don’t let your daughter’s treatment fall behind."
Sam Evans eyed Susan Evans. Ever since he’d learned the truth about her and Lana, all he saw on Susan’s face was greedy calculation—it made his skin crawl.
Everyone settled in. Dr. Rowan Lin gave Lana Evans a half-smile, somewhere between amused and skeptical. "So, you claim you’re ill?"
Lana Evans clutched her chest and let out a dramatic sigh. "Doctor Lin, I’m afraid it’s serious. Last night, my heart nearly stopped—twice!"
Susan Evans chimed in, voice trembling for effect: "She’s been coughing up blood! If not for my quick thinking, she’d be gone!"
Lily Evans arched a brow and shot Lana a look: Nice acting. But she kept quiet, waiting to see how far Lana would take the charade.
Dr. Rowan Lin didn’t buy it for a second. "Let me check your pulse," he said, already rolling up his sleeves.
Lana Evans extended her wrist, face pale and trembling, selling the performance for all it was worth.
The Wang couple exchanged glances, each more eager than the other to see Lana exposed.
Susan Evans and Sam Evans hovered anxiously, eyes glued to Lana Evans, hoping the doctor wouldn’t see through her.
Dr. Rowan Lin pressed his fingers to Lana’s wrist. His face was all business, but his eyes twinkled with mischief.
After a long moment, Dr. Lin announced, "She’s suffering from—" He paused for effect, milking the suspense.
Everyone leaned in, breath held.
Dr. Lin finally declared, "Acute drama queen syndrome. Highly contagious. The only cure is—" He glanced at Lily Evans, lips twitching, "a dose of reality."
The room burst into laughter. Even the Wang couple couldn’t help but chuckle.
Lana Evans shot Lily Evans a sheepish grin. "Guess I got busted, huh?"
Lily Evans winked back. "Next time, try not to overdo it. You almost had me worried!"