Anastasia parted her lips, ready to speak, but before she could get a word out, the Brennan family's security detail called from outside, "Sir, Ma'am, Ms. Lauren Brennan is here!"

"What?" Murray and Winni turned toward the door in unison.

Juliet's eyes darted anxiously to Anastasia, her concern barely masked.

Anastasia's expression froze for a heartbeat.

Lauren. Lauren Brennan. Just hearing that name was enough to make her dig her nails into her palm.

Lauren—the Brennan family's adopted daughter. Or more accurately, the girl taken in under Cecilia's name after her mother passed away.

In the medical world Anastasia had fought so hard to enter, mention the legendary healer Cecilia Brennan's daughter, and no one would think of her. Everyone only talked about Lauren, the so-called medical prodigy.

Before her death, Anastasia's mother left her so many things, hoping Anastasia would inherit her legacy. But fearing her young daughter wouldn't be able to protect those treasures alone, she had asked Anastasia's grandfather and his family to keep them safe until she was older.

But in her past life, everything her mother left behind-including the Green Thumbs Botanical Research Institute, the one place that could have cured Harrison-slipped right through her fingers. It all ended up with Lauren.

Anastasia's hand curled painfully into a fist at her side, her knuckles white with the effort of holding her swirling emotions in check.

But aside from Juliet, no one noticed. Everyone else's attention was fixed on Lauren's impending arrival.

"Why is Lauren here? Wasn't she supposed to have just landed?" someone asked.

"Yes, she just got off the plane," the security guard explained at the door. "She was planning to go home first, but when she heard about the accident, she came straight here. She was worried."

Winni's features softened with a mixture of exasperation and maternal affection. "Oh, that girl! She's been away on exchange, working herself to the bone for the past two years. Finally comes home, and instead of resting, she rushes here the moment something happens. What am I going to do with her?"

Murray shook his head, a helpless yet affectionate smile on his face. "Lauren's a good kid. She's worried about Benson, that's all."

On the hospital bed, Benson sat up, anticipation lighting his expression as he glanced toward the door. Even his usually stern face was gentler now. "Is Lauren really coming now?"

Every member of the family was focused on the person about to walk through that door, leaving Anastasia utterly invisible.

After Anastasia and Nora had let the Brennan family down, they had turned to the orphanage Cecilia sponsored and adopted Lauren, raising her as the heir to Cecilia's legacy.

Over the years, Lauren had become the daughter Mr. and Mrs. Brennan never had, and to Benson, she was already a true sister.

They didn't care about Anastasia anymore-why would they? In the Brennan family, they already had someone who could replace her in every way.

Just then, the security guard answered his phone, “Ms. Lauren Brennan has arrived at the hospital!"

No sooner had he spoken than hurried footsteps echoed down the corridor. Everyone in the room-even Anastasia-turned to look.

At the end of the hall, a strikingly beautiful girl with an air of cool confidence strode toward them, two guards close at her heels.