“What news?" Allison picked up a bottle of cream and started applying it to her face in the mirror.

Her skin was losing moisture several times faster than the average person, so she had to apply products like these from time to time.

Skincare products like these were costly, yet she applied them generously.

Sophian glanced at the maid.

Allison got the hint and said to the maid, who was still tidying up, "I'd like to talk to her in private."

"Yes, Madam Allison." The maid put down Allison's clothes and walked out hurriedly before closing the door behind her.

"My colleague said that the doctor who's going to operate on you is Dr. Steve, but he returned to his home country a few days ago, so no one can get a hold of him. Thus, no one is aware of the surgery. Dr. Steve returned to the hospital today and my colleague found out that he'll use new foreign technology to operate on your face. It'll mainly be to remove the wrinkles on your skin and also to inject some stem cells for your skin to regain its youth," Sophian said.

"New technology? Will it be unsafe?" Allison said with a frown.

"Of course, he'll only use it on you if he's confident. The condition of your face can't be cured with the previous methods. Your only hope is the new technology. Besides, Ms. Allison, our hospital has spent a lot of money to have Dr. Steve on board with us. He's a reputable person in the plastic surgery industry and has helped many patients in situations similar to yours. So, don't worry, there are many similar cases abroad."

"That's nice to hear, but I still find your institution's system to be a bit strange. If he's a doctor who's receiving high pay, there's no way he can't be contacted even if he's abroad on leave, right?" Allison

raised her suspicions.

"Things like this happen all the time because our hospital employs quite a number of foreign doctors, and they have several phones. For example, they might have a Korean number, but they won't necessarily use that number in other countries. In the hospital's record, Dr. Steve filled in a Korean number, so that's why we weren't able to contact him," Sophian explained.

"In that case, tell him that I'll go back to operate after the new year. Tell him to arrange the operation as soon as possible." Allison decided. After Sophian's brief, she became very interested in the new technology. It even gave her a glimmer of hope.

"Ms. Allison, this surgery is going to cost a lot more..." Sophian said politely.

"My son has plenty of money. The reason why he sent me to your institution is to cure my face, so money is not a problem," Allison said without a second thought.

"That's great! Ms. Allison, your skin will be cured soon." Sophian smiled.

Allison looked at herself in the mirror and touched her face. It still felt dry. Hence, she said, "Sophian, please do a facial treatment for me now."

"Sure, Ms. Allison." Sophian picked up the set of lotions on the dresser and was about to help her with her treatment.

Allison stood up and said, "Let's do it on the bed. It's annoying how there's no facial room here."

"Huh, there's no facial room here?" Sophian was surprised as there was no room for facials in a mansion this huge.

"Why would Susan prepare these things when she doesn't pay attention to self-care at all? Plus, I've been abroad all these years, so, of course, there isn't one." Allison lay on the bed and covered herself

with a blanket as she closed her eyes.

Sophian had witnessed the quarrel between them and knew that she and Susan did not get along. She poured and massaged some of the essence in her palm while continuing Allison's words. "The woman in the living room has a bad complexion, and her skin is even worse. Her pores are so big. You can tell at one glance that she doesn't have a good skincare routine."

Although her words were exaggerated and unrealistic, the corners of Allison's lips curled up as she was still glad to hear someone badmouthing Susan. "You think so too? That's what I'm saying. That unsophisticated appearance of hers makes her unworthy of being the madam of the Crawford family."

Sophian covered Allison's face with her palm full of essence. "I'm speaking from a skincare expert's perspective. That lady's skin condition is very bad and in dire need of help." All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

"Even then, you're my person, so if she comes to you, don't promise her anything," said Allison as she did not allow her people to attend to Susan.

"Ms. Allison, you can rest assured that I'm not that kind of person," Sophian reassured her.

She was not interested in doing Susan a service as she and Allison did not get along. She was not even Luke's biological mother.

"Okay." Allison closed her eyes as she felt Sophian's hands massaging her face. A while later, she said, "Sophian, I know what's on your mind."

"Ms, Allison?" Sophian was taken aback as she did not quite understand what she meant.

She had a lot on her mind.

"Luke. I know you have a crush on him. I can tell from your eyes." Allison's eyes remained closed.

"Ms. Allison..." Sophian blushed. She did have a crush on Luke, but would she have a chance?

"But he has a wife, and it's impossible for him to get a divorce now. If you do have feelings for him. It's not that I can't help you, but it'll be hard for the time being. Whether Luke accepts you or not is another matter as well," Allison enjoyed the massage on her face as she said slowly.

"I know Mr. Crawford has a wife, and I ran into his kids just now. They're very cute. Mr. Crawford's wife must be very beautiful, right?" Sophian probed.

"Beautiful? He was just dead-set on choosing that woman. When I introduced many beautiful women for him to choose from, he still wanted that useless woman who's not even pretty." Allison's words were full of disgust for Bianca.

"I see.." Sophian did not fully believe Allison's words.

Besides, most mother and daughter-in-law relationships were like that. Mothers-in-law would look down on their daughters-in-law, thinking that they were no match for their sons.

Apparently, Allison had the same thoughts.

“That woman is no good. Luke must have been blind at that time. They might not be divorced yet, but he has another woman now, so he must've finally seen her for what she is. It's only a matter of time before they get divorced, so Sophian, don't be discouraged. If someone else has the chance, you'll have a chance too." Allison patted Sophian's hand.

Sophian was stunned. She picked up the cotton pad and said, "Ms. Allison, I'll do a wet compress for you now, so it might be a little cold."