Mission System: Rescuing Beauties in Distress

Chapter 16 – Familial Enemies

“I'm sorry to interrupt, but the girl in this story is you, right?” Andrew couldn't help but ask.

Lucy nodded. “Pitiful, isn't it?”

He didn't know how to comfort this melancholy woman, and it made him feel helpless. Suddenly, he remembered the box of toffee the system rewarded. He quickly took it out and put it in Lucy's hand. “Here,” Andrew said.

Lucy's eyes widened. “Where did you get this?” he asked in wonder. “It's the same kind that my father used to get me when I was a child. When I got older, I searched everywhere for it but never found it.”

Andrew also felt that this brand of toffee was familiar. It seemed that the manufacturer went broke a few years ago, so it was hard to buy any since then. But the toffee rewarded by the system should have no expiry date, in theory.

“Maybe there was somewhere that you miss. Try a piece and see if it tastes the same,” he encouraged.

Lucy took out one of the candies and carefully removed the wrapper. Her eyes fluttered closed as she savored the flavor. “That's it,” she said softly. “That's the taste of home.”

Andrew also tasted one out of curiosity and found it sweet but otherwise unremarkable. It was possible that the taste didn't matter to Lucy, and what it reminded her of did. “Lucy, who was wanting to kill you?” he inquired eventually.

She sighed. “After my father got very sick, I felt that my stepmother and half-sister were becoming more and more hostile to me. I suffer from mild depression and need to take my medication on time. One day I found my pill bottle had been moved slightly, and when I took out one of the capsules, I saw that it was different.”

“Someone swapped your pills?” Andrew exclaimed.

Lucy nodded. “I was surprised when I discovered this, but I researched what the pills were and found out that they were banned because they caused psychiatric symptoms in patients.”

“Whoever did this is cruel,” Andrew growled. “Was it your stepmother or your half-sister?” 

“I have no proof that either of them did it. Since I have never harmed anyone, it was most likely done in the pursuit of some kind of benefit.”

Andrew was lost in thought for a moment. “You said that your father's business was successful, and your stepmother was his secretary. I believe she wanted to fight for his property.”

“I didn't like my stepmother because of what she and my father did to my mom, but I never expected that she or her daughter would try to kill me,” Lucy said sorrowfully.

“So after you found out about the medication, you used it to your advantage and pretended to have a mental illness so that you could be locked up here?”

Lucy's eyes were filled with tears. “I didn't have a choice. My stepfamily has been in charge of my father's company since he got sick, and I was no match for them. I thought that if all they wanted was make me crazy, then I would just pretend to be a lunatic, but I didn't expect them to send someone to kill me."

"They are so wicked," Andrew said indignantly. "Either they saw through your trick, or they wanted to eliminate you. I will definitely not let them go if I meet them."

Lucy shook her head. "No, they are too powerful for you."

Andrew looked at Lucy with pity in his eyes. He once believed that he was extremely unlucky, but now he saw that Lucy had it even worse than he did. She came from an upper-class family, but it only brought her despair. With her father now deceased, her stepmother turned murderous, like a real-life Snow White.

He could hardly imagine how devastating it was for her to disguise herself as a mental patient just to escape persecution. Andrew was overcome with sympathy and reached for Lucy to hold her. Lucy went rigid at first, but as soon as she felt his warmth, the dam within her finally broke, and she burst out crying.

“Don't worry, it will be alright,” Andrew comforted as he patted her back. “I will help you.”

He took out a tissue to wipe her tears away and became spellbound by her charming face. Lucy was so beautiful. Although unimaginable pressure led to her pale lips and fine lines, Andrew still couldn't help but fix his gaze on her porcelain skin, delicate nose, and downcast eyes.

Lucy noticed his stare, and she turned her face away. “What... what are you looking at?” she murmured. 

"You are so gorgeous,” Andrew blurted out. He regretted the words as soon as he said them because he felt that he was taking advantage of a patient. "No... I didn't mean that... I mean... well... How can I help you? Yes, that's what I mean,” he quickly stammered.

Lucy chuckled at his look of anxiety, and her captivating swept Andrew off his feet. But her smile faded as soon as she remembered her situation. Regardless, the fact that it appeared at all was a good sign. Since the death of her mother, Lucy had forgotten about how to smile.

“There is nothing you can do, Andrew. My stepfamily is very dangerous, and I don't want anything to happen to you,” Lucy said emphatically.

“Nonsense. You are my patient, and I have to ensure your safety. It's true that I can't insert myself into your family affairs, but I can at least prevent anyone from hurting you while you're here,” he promised.

Lucy was greatly touched by his words. "If only... you were my doctor..." she said quietly.

Andrew suddenly remembered that the hospital had a particular system where patients could choose doctors. Although ordinary mental patients were not sane enough to choose doctors, Lucy was different.

"Of course I can be your doctor! As long as you..." As a medical intern, Andrew worked as Leo's assistant and could become a full member only after Leo retired. It was still not sure which patient he would be in charge of.

Andrew whispered in Lucy's ear. To protect Lucy, he must be able to contact her frequently, so he needed the identity of an attending doctor as a cover.

Lucy's eyes became brighter after hearing Andrew's idea, but she still looked worried. “Won't that be too dangerous for you?”

"Don't worry, I can protect myself. Your safety is what matters most,” Andrew reassured, his eyes clear and sincere. All his self-confidence came from the system. He believed that the system would definitely help him at the most critical of times.

The fact that Andrew would risk his life to protect her caused Lucy's heart to flutter. His encouragement and comforting nature lit up her dark world and warmed her heart.