Chapter 4 What Are You Doing Here

Warm steam filled the bathroom, blending with the soft scent of lavender in the air.

Resting against the edge of the tub, Alexia let out a quiet breath as the tension in her body slowly eased.

The water soothed her skin, yet her thoughts refused to settle.

After waking up with a second chance, she had wasted no time. The cellmate who poisoned her in her previous life was dealt with, and she kept her distance from everyone else in prison, leaving behind an image of someone no one dared approach.

Still, she knew Rachael wouldn't give up that easily.

No matter how careful she had been with her food and clothing, the prison had never been a place where safety could be guaranteed. Anyone determined enough could find a way to get close.

The road ahead would not be simple. One wrong step now could ruin everything before the vengeance even began.

After stepping out of the bath, Alexia slipped into the silk pajamas Lucy had prepared for her.

Alexia stood at the mirror and dried her hair while Lucy watched from the side, a hint of admiration in her eyes.

Alexia already had a face that drew attention, and the smooth fabric only made her presence stand out even more.

Her movements remained unhurried, yet the look in her eyes carried a distant chill that kept people from getting too close.

There was a contrast in her that couldn't be ignored. She seemed relaxed, almost careless, but something about her still made others uneasy.

That mix of quiet charm and hidden edge gave her a pull that was hard to look away from.

Anyone who earned Ethan's recognition would never be ordinary.

Once she finished, Alexia placed the hairdryer down and turned toward Lucy.

"Lucy, go get some rest tonight," she said. "Come with me to Tranquil Health Center tomorrow."

Lucy blinked in surprise. "Should I arrange an appointment first?"

"No need," Alexia replied as she walked toward her room. "We'll just head there."

Lucy watched her disappear down the hallway and shook her head without thinking.

Alexia didn't seem to realize that Tranquil Health Center wasn't open to just anyone. It required membership and was known for its strict privacy and high-end care.

Without a prior booking, even getting through the entrance would be difficult.

After a moment, Lucy turned to a nearby servant. "Go and arrange an appointment for Miss White."

The servant nodded at once. "Understood."

The following day, inside Tranquil Health Center, the hallway felt quiet and orderly.

Seated on a bench, Alan looked at Rachael with concern written all over his face. "If Alexia hadn't caused concern, you wouldn't have lost sleep last night. Look at you. You look exhausted."

Rachael leaned gently against his shoulder, her voice soft and affectionate. "Thank you for arranging such an expensive checkup for me, Alan. You always take such good care of me."

Alan reached out and tousled her hair with a fond smile. "You're my sister. Of course I'm going to take care of you. Who else would I do this for?"

A short distance away, the display screen called out the next number.

Alan lowered his gaze to the slip in his hand and did a quick count. "Just five more ahead of us. We won't be waiting much longer..."

His words trailed off as noise suddenly broke out deeper inside the clinic.

Several well-known medical experts rushed out at once, their white coats moving in unison as they formed a line at the entrance. Then, without hesitation, they bowed together. "Welcome, Miss White!"

The scene left everyone around them stunned.

These doctors weren't ordinary staff. Each one held a respected position in the field, and securing an appointment with them usually took months.

Even the high-ranking officials' wives had to wait until they had time.

Yet now, they had all gathered just to greet one person. Whoever she was, her status had to be extraordinary.

At the doorway, Alexia turned toward Lucy with a faint look of resignation. "Did you make an appointment for me?"

Still processing what she had just seen, Lucy struggled to respond, "I did. I thought it might be hard for you to get in otherwise. I just didn't expect... this."

A quiet breath left Alexia. "I had a feeling this would happen. Next time, don't make decisions for me."

Lucy lowered her head at once. "I understand."

At that moment, Philip Murphy, the director of the health center, stepped forward and personally led Alexia toward the VIP lounge.

"Why come here in person? If you needed anything, you could have told me. I would have arranged treatment at your residence."

Before Alexia could answer, a sharp voice cut through the moment. "Alexia? What are you doing here?"

Alexia paused and turned her head, spotting Rachael and Alan waiting nearby for their turn.

A sharp look flashed across Rachael's face as she stared at Alexia. She was unable to make sense of what she was seeing. How could someone who had just come out of prison, someone who grew up in the slums, be personally received by the director of Tranquil Health Center?

She was still waiting for her turn like everyone else, yet Alexia was already being led into the VIP area for a private consultation. It felt completely unfair.

Philip turned slightly toward Alexia. "Miss White, are you acquainted with them?"

Alexia cast Rachael and Alan a distant glance. "No, I don't know them."

She was about to continue walking with Philip when Rachael suddenly raised her voice.

"Alexia, why are you saying that? Are you really cutting ties with your family? You've just come out of prison, and you're probably not feeling your best, but we're still family. No matter what, we'll stand by you."

The hallway quieted at once, and every pair of eyes shifted toward Alexia.

So this was the James family's real heiress, the one who had just been released from prison.

Five years earlier, the James couple had made a public announcement about finding their biological daughter, stirring up a lot of attention.

Not long after, word spread that she had been jailed for fraud tied to business dealings.

Since then, the story had been passed around in elite circles as a source of gossip.

Many looked down on the girl who came from nothing, saying she lacked experience. She could have lived comfortably as the rightful heiress, yet she ended up behind bars because of her own choices.