Flora’s Guide to a Second Chance at Love and Life

"Is there really such a bizarre condition?" The director's eyebrows shot up in disbelief, his face clouded with concern. But he couldn't deny that this peculiar case might just open new doors in medical research.

"Absolutely," Fiona nodded. "By subtly tweaking someone's diet with foods that influence sleep and mood, and tossing in a bit of unconscious suggestion, you can easily end up with a situation like this. But don't worry, it's not that hard to fix."

Just because Western medicine hit a wall, doesn't mean alternative medicine wouldn't have a shot. As Fiona broke it down, the director realized how such sneaky tactics could silently wreak havoc on someone, potentially leading to their slow downfall.

"Hey, Director, has the hospital ever dealt with their media company? Or had patients with similar issues before?" Fiona inquired.

The director scratched his head, then shook it, drawing a blank. If they had, Fiona wouldn't have needed to step in. Allen's complicated case was exactly why the hospital struggled to find the root cause.

Fiona mulled it over. If the media company didn't have a history of such antics, they were likely off the hook. But Christina, hovering by the door, was still a major suspect.

Just as Fiona was piecing it together, Christina barged into the office, eyes blazing with anger.

Fiona and the director had kept their voices low, and with the usual chaos of the hospital, there was no chance Christina could have caught wind of their chat. Yet, the not knowing was enough to send Christina into a panic, pushing her to confront them head-on.

Both Fiona and the director turned their gazes toward her. What Fiona suspected, the director did too, especially since Christina had pretty much given herself away.

"Weren't you told to wait outside? What's got you barging in here?" Fiona glanced up briefly from her phone, adding, "Is barging in without knocking some kind of standard practice at your company? Or are you worried we might swallow Allen Whole? Or maybe..."

Fiona left her thought hanging, a sly smile playing on her lips but said nothing

more.

Christina's tension ratcheted up a notch. Her eyebrows furrowed as she shot back, "Or what? What are you hinting at?"

Fiona took her time, casually unwrapping a candy and popping it in her mouth. "Or maybe you're scared Allen might spill something he shouldn't."

Fiona's words hit home, and Christina's fists clenched. It was clear to her now that this young woman knew something she shouldn't, something that had been bugging her since they first crossed paths.

set

"I have no clue what you're getting at!" Christina scoffed, rolling her eyes over to Allen. "As his manager I'm naturally concerned about his health. If anyone tries to mess with him, Iwon't let it slide. Sure, some folks might want to throw shade, but Allen's so exceptional that some fans would do anything for him."

"Including you, right?" Fiona quipped with a cheeky grin.

That question stopped Christina in her tracks, leaving her words stuck in hernoveldrama

throat. She locked eyes with Fiona, her stare unyielding.