Chapter 3

As for the lunch Liam brought, it sat untouched.

I sat by the bed, looking out at the view from the window.

Actually, I had heard about Shawn's kidney failure from my roommate, Chloe.

The day before, I'd dragged myself back to the dorm after a part-time job, and overheard Chloe saying: "Did you hear? Shawn, that heiress from the department next door, apparently has kidney failure."

"Really?"

"Totally. I even heard a rumor that her family is looking for a kidney donor. If they find a match, money won't be an issue."

"Wait, shouldn't a family match be better?"

"Wealthy families like theirs might be different. Who'd willingly donate a kidney?"

My roommate, Chloe, spread her five fingers: "I heard, if you match, it's at least this much."

"Whoa, five million?"

"Yep."

"Still, I wouldn't do it. Losing a kidney, who knows what effect that'll have on your body."

"The chances of a stranger matching are tiny. We probably won't match, don't even think about it."

"Enough about that, how were your interviews? I'm completely stressed out."

I, who was just about to go wash up, paused. I lowered my eyes. Five million. If I could match, it would be enough for Jade's medical bills.

I privately contacted someone and quietly went to get tested.

After a successful match, Liam hastily arranged to meet me, hoping I would be admitted to the hospital as quickly as possible.

When the comments told me not to sign the contract, what they didn't know was that earlier, when I went to get hot water, I'd accidentally overheard Chloe's phone call: "Mr. Vance, I've already told Aria. That company interview..."

"No interview needed. You can start working directly."

"Okay, thank you, Mr. Vance."

I didn't know who "Mr. Vance" was at first, until I met Liam.

The man's voice on Chloe's phone was identical to his.

That's when I realized that the person who wanted to leak the information to me had always been Liam.

He couldn't just stand by and watch his beloved sister lie in a hospital bed. In his heart, no one was more important than Shawn.

And I? I was desperate for money.

Jade's exorbitant medical bills were something I couldn't earn enough of, no matter how many part-time jobs I took.

So he knew I would actively seek out the match.

He understood human nature.

And he had calculated it perfectly.