Chapter 368

"Alright, alright." Janice beamed, always happy to listen to her. "When you have some free time, why don't you come over to the house?"

"I'd love to," Elissa replied quickly. "But it might have to wait. I'm swamped with work right now."

Between the clinic, the lab, and her charity project, her schedule was packed. But once the new drug was launched, she could finally take a breather.

Janice noted how much thinner Elissa's face had become. "Well, will you be home this weekend? I'll make some beef pies and bring them over."

"Okay!" Elissa loved her beef pies and didn't hesitate to accept the offer with a smile.

After reminding Elissa to take care of herself, Janice left with the prescription.

Around noon, Elissa checked the time and asked the nurse to squeeze in a few more patients. She didn't finish until after three. After grabbing a quick bowl of noodles nearby, she drove to Zephyr Manor.

Miss Wilkinson had arrived in Vistapeak City that morning, so Elissa and Suzanne had scheduled the treatment for the afternoon to give the mother and daughter some time together. By now, Elissa was familiar with the Wilkinson family staff. As her car pulled up, a housekeeper opened the gate. "Dr. Drummond, you're here."

"Thank you," Elissa said with a smile as she walked inside. Passing through the living room, she saw Miss Wilkinson for the first time. She had never seen such a powerful presence in a woman in her thirties. Her hair was pulled back in a neat, severe bun, and her entire being exuded an air of crisp efficiency. No wonder she held so much sway in the family.

Elissa was about to greet her when she noticed the woman was lost in thought, staring at a family portrait on the wall. Elissa decided not to disturb her and quietly made her way upstairs.

But before she could leave, Laurel Wilkinson turned to her. "You must be Dr. Drummond. I'm Laurel, Jesse's older sister."

Elissa offered a polite smile and a nod. "Miss Wilkinson."

Laurel could see her unease. "Go on up. My mother is waiting for you."

"Okay." Elissa couldn't shake the feeling that the way Laurel had looked at her was strangely similar to the way Suzanne sometimes did.

After so many treatments, Suzanne was used to the procedure. As Elissa inserted the needles, Suzanne was relaxed enough to chat. "You saw Laurel downstairs, didn't you?"

"I did," Elissa said with a smile. "Are you getting tired of the dietary plan I gave you? If you are, I can write up a new one."

Suzanne's smile was warm. "Not at all! I'm still rotating through the dishes. The moment Laurel saw me today, she said I look much more energetic than before". The The more she saw of Elissa, the more she liked' her. If she couldn't be her daughter, she could be the next best thing.

Elissa chuckled. "Well, if your health hadn't improved at all by now, I'd be a pretty terrible doctor, wouldn't I?"

After they had laughed and talked their way through the session, Elissa and a housekeeper helped Suzanne into her wheelchair Would you like to rest in your room or go downstairs?" Elissa asked softly.

Suzanne replied, "I'll go down with you."

Seeing them descend, Laurel quickly ended a work call. "Thank you for your hard work," she said to Elissa.

"It's my pleasure." Just as Elissa was about to take her leave, Suzanne instructed a housekeeper, "Where is the nourishing broth we prepared for Elissa? Bring it out."

Laurel watched her mother's warm hospitality toward Elissa, and a rare smile touched her usually stoic face. "Dr. Drummond, it's almost dinnertime. Would you join us?"

This time, it was Suzanne who was surprised. Laurel had inherited her grandfather's cool temperament, and her career in politics had only made her more reserved. Yet today, she had personally invited someone to stay for dinner.

***