The next morning, the head of the cryogenic research team, Andre Freeman, called, asking Gemma to come in for a physical
examination.
“There’s no need for that,” Gemma replied with a faint, sorrowful smile.
She was already on the brink of death. What good would another examination do? No number of tests would make the cancer
disappear.
“Ms. Kirk, we need to assess your physical condition to determine the freezing process and the optimal freezing time,” Andre
explained. “It’s also to improve your chances of survival. Please cooperate.”
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Chapter 2
Gemma had no reason to refuse, so she got in her car and drove to the facility.
+15 Bonus
After a long day of tests, the physical examination was finally over. Before she left, Andre handed her a thick stack of documents.
“The shape of the cryo–casket and its future storage location are customizable. Here’s the relevant material for you to review,”
he explained.
Gemma nodded, softly thanked him, and carried the documents back home.
When she stepped inside, she noticed that the living room lights were on. Her heart skipped a beat as she thought, ‘Is Uncle
Murphy back?‘
Despite how cruelly he had treated her, she still wanted to see him. How pathetic was that?
Trying to steady her racing heart, Gemma quickly walked into the living room, only to find Evangeline dressed in a silk slip dress.
“Gemma, you’re back!” Evangeline greeted her warmly. “Have you eaten dinner yet? Your Uncle Murphy is busy in the kitchen.
Let me know what you’d like, and I’ll have him make it for you.”
Her demeanor was every bit that of a lady of the house.
A wave of bitterness surged in Gemma’s chest. She shook her head and was about to say she was not hungry. Just then, Murphy
emerged from the kitchen carrying a freshly prepared dish.
“You’re just in time,” Murphy said. “Eva and I are engaged. Starting today, Eva is the lady of this house. So, from now on, she’ll
handle everything–big and small.”
Lowering her head, Gemma replied quietly, “I understand.”
He had expected Gemma to lash out, but to his surprise, she accepted his words calmly. This unexpected reaction even brought a
rare flicker of astonishment to Murphy’s usually dark, inscrutable eyes.
“Don’t be so stern. You’re scaring Gemma,” Evangeline said playfully. “Come on, Gemma, ignore him. Let’s eat.”
With that, Evangeline grabbed Gemma’s arm to pull her toward the dining room.
Caught off guard by Evangeline’s sudden gesture, Gemma fumbled, and the stack of documents in her arms scattered to the floor.
Murphy frowned as he bent down to pick up one of the papers. It was a design sketch of a cryo–casket. His tone turned cold as he
demanded, “What’s this?”
Though her heart pounded in panic, Gemma kept a calm exterior. She casually explained, “It’s a cryo–casket design. I’m
researching it for a summer project. Before the break, my professor assigned us to freely design a product, so I’ve decided to
create a crystal coffin that can preserve bodies. I printed some materials from the internet as references.”
She was currently a freshman studying design, so the excuse sounded plausible enough.
However, Murphy’s expression remained grim. “Gemma, are you insane?” he snapped.
