waking

Chapter 143

Bridget was chilling in the living room with John Eaton, a top doc from a plastic surgery clinic. She’d been super stressed to fix her daughter’s face. and that was how she met John.

He played hard to get back then, hinting he wasn’t sure about the job, which was just a sneaky way to ask for more dough. Coco wasn’t fooled by his act and his scare tactics, so she said no way.

After they got home, Bridget tried to change Coco’s mind, but Coco showed her some messed–up plastle surgery stories online. Bridget didn’t say

much after that.

These stories were total nightmares, with no way to fix the damage, and Coco’s star was even riskier

So Bridget started thinking of other ideas instead of going to John so he got nervous and kept coming around.

“Ms. Hopper, you sure you don’t want surgery for Coco?” John asked.

Bridget smiled a bit and shook her head. “My girl’s with a good doctor now. She’s all good. No surgery’s needed. Once her scar’s gone, she’ll be a real

looker

“Dr. Eaton, thanks, but you can take of Bridget said, waving him away.

John was ticked off instantly. “Who’s this doctor you found? Is he any good! Coco’s face isn’t for some amateur to mess with

Bridget got upset. “Dr. Eaton, who are you trying to insult? We’ve got some amazing doctors who keep a low profile in our country. Coco will be as good as new soon

“Dr. Eaton, you’re outta here!” Bridget stood up, not tall, but with a strong vibe. The Hopper family had serious cash in Yeonland, not like what she had told Naomi

The butler hurried over when Bridget asked John to leave.

John stood up, looking sour. “Ms. Hopper, you’ll regret this

“Bold move.” Coco and Naomi came out. Coco stared John down coldly, as if he was trash. “You’re here to scam my n

mom again for cash.”

But John looked at Naomi behind Coco, asking, “Coro who’s this? If you go for the surgery, I promise I’ll make you as pretty as her?

Naomi smiled, asking Coco softly. “He’s the one pushing your mom to get you to have surgery!

Coco nodded, looking grossed out “It’s him. He’s disgusting, and I’m never getting surgery. I’d rather be ugly forever.”

Coco clenched her teeth. I’d rather Mom donate to charity than let him profit off her,”

“I’ll heal you,” Naomi assured Coco, holding her hand,

“Are you kidding, young lady? You’re just a schoolgirl. Who are you to talk big?” John laughed. It’s not cool”

Naomi stayed cool, with a small smile on her face. “We’ll see in a month.”

“Not holding my breath, John sneered, looking at Naomi. Then he said, “Ms. Hopper, if Coco’s not up for surgery, fine. But you don’t need to throw a young girl at me to make me look bad”

Bridget kept it shon. “Dr. Eaton, just hit the road.”

“You’ll be sorry,” John warned, his face dark. I’m having a party in a month. If Coco’s not there, this girl owes me an apology

Naomi just laughed. “Why should I apologize?”

“Because you talk big and insult me, John said, narrowing his eyes

“If Coco’s face is fine in a month, you owe me an apology, Naomi said, full of confidence. “Let’s bet on it. We’ll be at your party, and you’ll apologize to me in front of everyone.”

“Deal,” John said, leaving with a wave,

Bridget looked worried at Naomi. That scar had been on Coco’s face for eighteen years. Could it really clear up i

Naomi grinned at them. “Have some faith, okay? Trust me, okay! Or trust my mentor Mr. Walterte’s the best.

Seeing her confident smile, Bridget and Coco felt hopeful

in a month?

Coco touched her scar and then said after some thought, “If I’m not better in a month, it’s fine. Makeup can hide it. We’re a team. Who needs John

Bridger felt both sad and happy. She wanted to say something but just told Naomi. “Whatever you need, just ask.”

Naomi nodded, “Don’t worry, Bridget I’ll let you know.”

“Call me Bridget,” she said, taking Naomi’s hand. “Let’s talk in the study.

John’s visit, weirdly, made them closer.

John clearly despised Naomi, so she had to win. She was confident, but Bridget wasn’t as relaxed about it.

In the cozy study, Bridget and Naomi chatted for a long time. Bridget finally pressed a roughly carved wooden badge into Naomi’s hand. “This is like a golden ticket for the Hopper family’s land our on the prairie. Wherever our family’s got a claim, you flash this, and it’s smooth sailing. There’s a trove of rare herbs and medicinal plants out there. I thought you might need ‘em someday, so here you are

Naomi accepted with a grateful smile, promising earnestly, “Bridget, you can count on me to fix up Coco’s scar

“Alright, alright, 1 believe in you. Bridget said, giving a nod full of trust. “You holler if you need anything. I’ve got some pull around here.”

“Bridges, don’t fret. If I ever need a hand, you’ll be the first to know. Naomi vowed, nodding back.

After a bit more conversation, Naomi stepped out to find Coca zoned out on the couch, her gaze fixed on a spot. Following her line of sight, there was a family photo hanging on the wall.

Naomi studied Nicolas in the portrait for a moment and then approached Coco. “Coco, time to head back and let me gave you a facial,”

Coco snapped out of it, her focus sharpening as she blurted, “Naomi, if my face clears up, do you think my dad might come see me and Mom? Naomi paused and then gave a hesitant nod. “Maybe”

Coco’s smile broke out immediately. “Naomi, you hesitated. You’ve got a point. Not all parents love their kids, and not all dads step up. Javier wasn’t there for you, but he’s all over Rosalind.”

Naomi fell quiet again. It wasn’t hard to dig up her past, and she’d filled Coco in on some of it. What she left out was that Nicolas was now with Rosalind as a mistress, who she saved with her blood,

“Come on! We’re gonna win and get John to say sorry to you in front of the whole world in a month, Coco said as she stood up, determination seeping through her scar. “I want those who brushed me off and left me behind to eat their words!”

“You bet we will. Naomi moved closer, gripping Coco’s hand. “Coco, we’re in this together”

“Yep, we are.” Coco’s eyes gleamed with resolve. “I gotta get better. Can’t keep worrying Mom. Once I’m good as new, I’m heading back to Atopan.”

“Absolutely, I’m with you all the way, Naomi said firmly, leading Coco into her pharmacy, which also funcioned as the treatment room.

There, she separated the herbal juice from the pulp, letting the juice sit while the ground the pulp into a fine powder in a stone mortar. After a series of intricate steps that were Greek to Coco, Naomi ended up with a small amount of refined powder. Mixed with the herbal juice, it turned into a thick paste. This paste was then combined with a dark herbal ointment from Wilson, completing the process for a facial mask.

Naomi smiled, “Coco, lie down and let me get this mask on you.”

Coco was all in. The gloopy, weirdly colored stuff looked gross and smelled strong, but she was fearless.

The worst that could happen was staying the way she was, or getting worse, but trusting Naomi meant not dwelling on the negative.

It was a gamble. At eighteen, she was betting on who to trust based on gut feeling

If she won, she’d hit the jackpot–a beautiful future. If she lost, she’d be back to her tiny bedroom for good.

Coco reclined on the sofa as Naomi carefully applied the medicine. “Lemme know if it feels weird“.

“Will do,” Coco replied. After ten minutes under the mask, she felt a warm sensation. “Naomi, my face is warm”

“Does it sting?” Naomi asked, concerned.

“No,” Coco answered,

“Then it’s working. No need to fret, Naomi said. She was familiar with the medicine from her previous life. She’d added a couple more herbs this time to tackle Coco’s serious scar.

Once the mask dried, Naomi gently cleaned Coco’s face and applied a layer of green ointment. This will fade the scar. You should see some change in about three days.”

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Chapter 143

“I can wait it out Coco said, her eyes closed. “Naomi, do you hate your birth parents?”

Naomi, still tending to her potions, offered a wry smile at the question. “If I said I didn’t, would you buy it?”

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