Chapter 2

I took a 48-hour bus ride to reach Sunset City, where the cold cut straight to the bone.

Dr. Andrew Jackson's house sat at the edge of a snowy mountain.

When I knocked on the villa door, a servant said warily, "Dr. Jackson isn't home," and quickly shut the door.

Leaving me alone in the swirling snow.

It was fine. I was best at waiting, though the journey had left me exhausted.

While waiting, I fell asleep leaning against the steps.

When footsteps sounded, I didn't know how many hours had passed.

I struggled to open my eyes, my lashes stiff with snowflakes, and saw a young man standing before me.

My heart skipped a beat.

The man was handsome, with strong, well-defined brows and an expression as cold as frost on a winter night.

It was really him...

William was my unforgettable first love from my youth. Our breakup had been extremely awkward.

We'd sworn never to see each other again.

I suddenly felt very grateful that my face was ruined and hidden behind a thick mask.

Plus, after all these years, William definitely wouldn't recognize me.

But why was he here?

What was his relationship with Dr. Andrew Jackson?

"I'm looking for Dr. Andrew Jackson. Is he here?" I asked nervously.

Afraid he'd figure out I was Stella.

William looked down at me, his expression unchanged, but his words instantly made my blood run cold.

"He's dead. Been dead for half a year."

"What do you need him for?"

My heart sank, and a heavy, absolute despair washed over me.

Seeing I didn't speak, he looked up and said, "Like those other patients, you're looking for him to do plastic surgery, right?"

I suddenly thought of something and asked urgently, "Do you know if Dr. Jackson had a last and most important disciple? Can you introduce me?"

I'd already seen countless plastic surgeons before, and they were all helpless when faced with my face.

Now, as a last resort, this was the only option I had left.

William suddenly let out a cold laugh. "Yes."

"Who?" I quickly asked.

"Me." He stopped smiling, becoming cold again.

"I've been learning medicine from my dad since I was little. I'm his only true final disciple."

"I'm quite famous. You can search for me online."

I was overjoyed, but before I could ask for help.

The next second, I heard William slowly say, "But I stopped doing surgeries half a year ago. I swore never to enter an operating room again."

I took off my mask, revealing my disfigured face.

Then I bent down and dropped to my knees before him, tears streaming down as I begged.

"Dr. Jackson, I don't want to make things difficult for you..."

"But I'm really in a desperate situation. Please help me, please..."

"Please help me change my face completely."

I had no way out now. Only he could pull me out of this nightmare.

"I'll do anything you ask."

William seemed surprised that I would kneel. He was silent for a long time, and I even thought he would turn and leave.

He let out a long sigh.

William bent down to help me up, saying gently, "I'll help you."

I looked up excitedly, not even having time to wipe my tears. "Dr. Jackson, what do you want me to do?"

He looked into my eyes, his lips moving, hesitating, as if trying to gather the courage to say something shocking.

But in the end, he only said lightly, "One million dollars."

No emotional connection whatsoever, just a simple money transaction.

That couldn't be better.