The butler approached Mirabe, ncing pointedly at the floor behind her before taking a deep breath. His tone was noticeably cooler than before. "Didn''t I offer you slippers? Why didn''t you change your shoes?"


    "Don''t you know changing shoes when entering a house is basic manners?"


    "Oh, I don''t like them," Mirabe replied, her tone indifferent.


    The butler rubbed his forehead, visibly holding back his frustration. After a few seconds, he let it go. "Don''t you understand..."


    Mirabe tilted her head nonchntly, her deep gaze locking onto the butler. Without saying a word, she managed to silence him mid-sentence, as if his throat was suddenly blocked.


    After a brief pause, remembering the day''s main business, the butler decided to drop the shoe issue and walked into the living room.


    As he walked, he exined, "Your uncle, the eldest heir, is currently unavable due to urgent matters. You can meet him another time."


    At that moment, Dr. Hulls, the Cunningham family''s physician, was sitting on the couch, engrossed in something.


    The butler nodded politely at him before introducing him to Mirabe. "This is Dr. Hulls. The reason you''re here today is simply to provide a blood sample."


    Mirabe gave the butler a half-smile. "An invitation?"


    The butler averted his gaze, ignoring Mirabe''sment, and continued, "Donald, your grandfather, is severely ill and needs a bone marrow transnt. Only blood rtives have a higher chance of being a match."


    Mirabe finally understood why the Cunningham family was so eager to find her.


    "With all the wealth and members in the Cunningham family, you couldn''t find a single match? You have to resort to ''kidnapping'' a stranger... um, drawing blood for a match?" Mirabe asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.


    Feeling a bit guilty, the butler''s expression turned uneasy. After a few seconds, he deflected, "Your mother, Delh, is the Cunningham family''s eldest daughter. She left home many years ago. Now that her father''s ill, shouldn''t she show some filial piety?"


    He paused before adding, "As Delh''s daughter, you''re naturally part of the Cunningham family."


    Since she was part of the Cunningham family, there was no question of kidnapping.


    Mirabe smirked. "Such shamelessness is truly an art form."


    No wonder Delh always spoke of the Cunningham family with a hint of disdain over the phone.


    The butler didn''t look at Mirabe''s expression, simply stating, "Moreover, it''s just a simple blood draw. It won''t harm you."


    Mirabe casually adjusted her backpack strap. "What if I refuse?"


    Upon hearing this, the butler first smiled, then his expression abruptly turned stern, his voice colder than ever. "You don''t have the luxury to refuse."


    He then signaled to Dr. Hulls with a look.


    Dr. Hulls, well ustomed to the family''s affairs, calmly opened the portable medical kit on the coffee table. He took out a syringe and an alcohol swab.


    Holding the needle, which glinted silver under the light, Dr. Hulls looked up at Mirabe and said in a seemingly gentle tone, "Don''t be afraid. It''s just a tube of blood from the vein in your arm. It''ll be over in the blink of an eye."