Falling for the Goddess

Getting Confronted

The Song family wasn't quite in the same league as the top-tier families like the Blake, Ashford, Thorne, or Graves, but they were still a distinguished clan in North Capital with a rich heritage. Old Master Lewis, a renowned surgeon, was highly respected. His children had pursued academic careers - one became a researcher, while the other became a university professor. Only his grandson, Sam Lewis, followed in his footsteps and specialized in neurosurgery.

In North Capital, illness is inevitable despite the many wealthy and powerful families, and many people often sought the Lewis family's expertise. Given the family's prominence, most people paid them due respect.

The Lewis were usually low-key and rarely held large gatherings like this one, so most of North Capital's elite had shown up. Even Adrian Blake, prompted by his grandmother's long-standing relationship with Old Master Lewis, was told to attend and extend birthday wishes.

The group arrived bearing generous gifts, paid their respects to the old master, and then settled in a tearoom to chat while the old master attended to other guests.

Lucas Graves took a sip of the tea, set the cup down on the table with a look of disdain, and complained, "I still prefer wine."

Adrian Blake also took a sip, appreciating the tea's unmistakable, mellow flavor. It was indeed a rare quality. Sitting beside him, Noah Ashford glanced over, sighing, "Is it the tea you're dissatisfied with or the person? After all these years, you still hold a grudge."

Lucas Graves huffed, "It's a major event, and that guy hasn't even shown up to greet guests. No manners whatsoever."

Lucas Graves and Sam Lewis had never gotten along. It was more of a one-sided dislike on Lucas Graves's part. Graves family was also deeply involved in the medical field, though focused on cardiologist. Given their similar ages, the two young men were often compared. Unfortunately for Graves, his carefree nature was always set against Sam Lewis's scholarly demeanor, making Lewis the golden standard for the adults around them.

Despite having little direct interaction, Lucas Graves' grudge against Sam Lewis remained strong. To him, Sam Lewis' polite manner seemed pretentious.

"You're in different fields. There's no real competition between you two. Besides, he's never provoked you," Noah Ashford reasoned.

Lucas Graves shot back, "Hey, whose side are you on, anyway?"

Noah Ashford shrugged, deciding not to push further. After all, they were only here to appear on behalf of their families and had no real interest in sticking around longer than necessary.

---

Inside the main hall, Old Master Song took the stage, surrounded by a circle of guests, all smiling and applauding.

"Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend this old man's birthday," he began. "Today, I'd also like to take this opportunity to announce something."

Old Master Lewis, dressed in a suit, was still energetic despite his age. Sara Hart and Ella Duvall stood quietly, observing the scene from a corner.

"I'm getting on in years and will be officially retiring today. From now on, my not-so-accomplished grandson, Sam Lewis, will fully manage the Lewis Clinic. He's still young and inexperienced, so I ask for your understanding and support."

Voices from the crowd quickly rose in flattery:

"Oh you're too modest! Dr. Lewis is your true successor; his skills are already exceptional for someone so young!"

"That's right, he cured my loss of appetite just recently!"

"He's a rare talent—so promising for the future!"

...

Ella Duvall nudged Sara Hart and whispered, "They've been going on and on, but where's this Dr. Lewis?"

She spoke no sooner than a man in a white suit appeared on stage, drawing a sharp breath from Ella Duvall.

In an ivory double-breasted suit, Sam Lewis exuded a refined and graceful presence. His gentle voice carried an air of elegance as he smiled faintly. He embodied the phrase: *"The gentleman stands alone, unmatched in this world."*

Ella Duvall licked her lips. "This guy is exactly my type - good thing I came today!"

"Does your lab mate have a romantic history?" she asked curiously.

Sara Hart, seeing the excitement in Ella Duvall's eyes, smiled helplessly. "I haven't heard of any."

Ella Duvall's lips curled up slightly. *That's good.*

After a brief speech, Sam Lewis stepped back, signaling the start of the social part of the evening. Guests were free to mingle and enjoy the banquet.

Feeling out of place among the crowd, Sara Hart only intended to hand over her gift to Sam Lewis and offer congratulations before leaving.

"Sara, I need to run to the washroom. Meet you in the garden in a bit?" Ella Duvall excused herself after having a bit too much water earlier.

"Okay, I'll wait for you there," Sara Hart agreed, then headed toward the garden alone. However, before she could leave the hall, someone called her name.

"Sara Hart..."

She turned to find herself face-to-face with Lisa Moore.

Lisa Moore wore a black, off-shoulder, high-slit gown that accentuated her curvy figure. Her bold red lipstick and extended eyeliner added to her sultry look.

Arms crossed over her chest, Lisa Moore looked at Sara Hart with a disdainful expression.

"Why do I keep running into you? Are you here to cozy up to another wealthy man after your stint at that club?"

Beside Lisa Moore stood a woman in a lavender mermaid dress, with long hair draped over her fair back. The woman looked puzzled and asked Lisa Moore, "Who's this?"

Lisa Moore sneered. "Oh, just a previous classmate of mine. No idea how she managed to get into this kind of event. But it's not surprising—she always had a thing for seducing men. She's probably gotten even better at it now."

Their conversation had already attracted a crowd. Being a new face with a distinctively different aura from the usual wealthy ladies, Sara Hart had already caught people's attention. Some young men about to approach her stopped in their tracks, witnessing the scene unfold.

With Lisa Moore's words, the stares became more intense - some mocking, some curious, some scornful.

Sara Hart's gaze turned icy as she looked at Lisa Moore. "Watch your words."

This was not where she wanted to argue, nor did she wish to ruin Sam Lewis's special day.

However, Lisa Moore, unfazed by the coldness in Sara Hart's eyes, raised her voice even more.

"Why, did I say something wrong? You're just a wild girl from the countryside. How could you possibly belong at an elite banquet like this?"

Her raised voice drew even more attention, echoing to the second floor.

Leaning over the railing, Lucas Graves caught sight of the commotion below. At first, he just wanted to watch the drama, but when he realized who it was, he yelled back toward the room behind him.

"Adrian, come here quickly! Isn't that your young wife?"