Yorick Linklater squinted his eyes, truly oblivious to the fact that his most well-behaved son had been stirring up such trouble behind his back. To think his son had even ventured into the black market, exploiting his privileges!

He had surely underestimated this wretched boy!

The next moment, Yorick's boot connected viciously with Dracon's jaw, nearly shattering it. "You beast, shut your mouth! Worthless trash!"

Dracon was in too much pain to speak.

Yorick, tired of the spectacle, settled back into his chair. "Percival, come in."

Percival stepped through the door, his steely gaze briefly sweeping over the maggot writhing on the floor. "Yorick."

"This mess is my fault for not keeping a tighter leash. I'll cover all the losses the Brooks family has suffered. Go back and tell Vivienne not to fret about the bionic tech incident. I'll look into it discreetly. As for F- Poison, we're blind until she surfaces again."

Percival was of the same mind. "Understood."

Yorick exhaled deeply, producing a contract. "Take this as compensation for Vivienne and the Brooks family. We'll address the losses separately." Percival scanned the document-it was an international business contract. Without lifting a finger, they'd rake in thirty billion dollars a year.

He pocketed the contract unceremoniously. Vivienne, the little money-hoarder, would probably forgive all his transgressions at the sight of it!

"Yorick, I'll take my leave then." Percival grinned, knowing full well that Dracon was not his problem to handle.

With Dracon silenced by Yorick and Gillian taken away for investigation, it seemed peace would reign, at least for a while.

Matthew held the contract with a grin that threatened to split his face. Thirty billion dollars! That was his salary for three whole years! Now, with this windfall, he could certainly petition Vivienne for a bonus. Percival shook his head at the sight of Matthew's glee, musing how he mirrored Vivienne's expression when it came to money. No wonder Leopold pinched pennies like no other-it was an Emerald Mountain tradition!

"Achoo!" Leopold sneezed so violently as soon as he woke up that he nearly tore his sutures.

Griffin rushed to steady him. "Didn't I tell you to take it easy? Are you trying to undo your stitches? Do you have any idea how many wounds you have?"

Griffin had been a constant presence at the hospital, forgoing sleep to watch over Leopold. Now that he was awake, her eyes were nearly swollen shut from worry.

"I'm fine. It's got to be Percival badmouthing me behind my back-why else would I be sneezing?" Leopold protested, propped up in bed, swathed in bandages, his only mobility in his restless eyes. "Griffin, you didn't tell my folks, did you?"

Griffin shook her head. "No. Dad mentioned your father's not been well; didn't want to worry him."

Leopold relaxed. "Good. They'd be fretting over nothing. Ow, I'm starving. Is Soren awake yet?"

Griffin, balancing a thermos of food, replied while feeding Leopold, "Still out. Anna's with him. Don't worry, Vivienne said it's just the anesthesia-he'll wake up later."

Leopold chewed his meal, nodding in agreement. "Yeah, with Vivienne and Boss on it, he'll be fine. No worries."

Despite his nonchalance, Leopold's eyes darted toward the door.

Griffin, understanding his concern, fetched a wheelchair and helped Leopold to Soren's room.

"You guys aren't usually this chummy. Can't it wait?" Griffin fretted over Leopold's injuries.

"I just need some fresh air," Leopold grumbled.

They arrived at Soren's room to find Karen and Vivienne chatting outside. Vivienne frowned at Leopold. "Who let you out?"

"Just getting some fresh air. How's Soren? Still out cold?" Leopold complained.

Vivienne knew Leopold all too well. "Anna's with him. Just take a peek from here."

Leopold was baffled. "What's wrong with Anna being there? Let me check on her."

As he maneuvered the wheelchair forward, Griffin held it back. "Vivienne and Cordelia are staying out here. You can see from the window!"

Leopold looked puzzled but complied, peering through the glass.

Inside, Anna sat in a chair, tenderly wiping Soren's face with a damp cloth. Her motions were gentle, her gaze soft and caring.

Leopold gasped.

What in the world? When did this happen?

They used to bicker nonstop, and now they seemed deeply connected.

Was that really Anna? It had to be!

Griffin, on the other hand, wore a knowing smile. "Anna and Soren are a good match. They might seem cold on the outside, but they're both tender-hearted where it counts."

"Tender-hearted?" Leopold looked up in surprise. "There must be a reason. Did Soren save Anna's life or something?"

Karen nodded. "Sort of. We heard from the team that Soren gave her his last life-saving pill, and she found out."

Leopold finally felt reassured. "I thought so. And here I've been rooting for Kenneth. I can't let Soren get the upper hand!"

Speak of the devil, Kenneth arrived just in time.

Armed with a bouquet, a collection of thoughtfully chosen gifts, and an assortment of health supplements, Kenneth stood behind the crowd, peering through the glass at how tenderly Anna was caring for Soren.

"Hey Vivienne, when Anna comes out, hand her these things for me, will ya? I gotta run, but tell her to take it easy. I'll swing by tomorrow to check on her."

Kenneth had been coming by daily, but Anna had been unconscious, blissfully unaware of his presence.

Today, as soon as she woke up and learned about the life-saving pill Soren had given her, she rushed to Soren's room, completely neglecting the flowers in her room and who had sent them. Vivienne was at a loss for words, left only with a sigh - my little girl is all grown up now!

But who to choose?

Kenneth was from a good family, handsome, Percival's brother, a renowned E-sports player with means and money - not a bad catch.

Soren, an orphan, had worked his way up through sheer determination and was Percival's most trusted man, a keystone of the Vanguard Agency - he wasn't a bad option either. Oh, the dilemma.

Karen saw right through her daughter's thoughts and lightly tapped her on the head, "Don't you worry your head about it. But remember to convey Kenneth's feelings to Anna." Vivienne nodded in acknowledgment. "Got it."

"And Vivienne, you've got to tell Anna about Kenneth. That boy has been courting her for ages. We can't let Soren, the old rascal, take advantage of the situation. We don't need her to follow in your footsteps!" No sooner had the words left her mouth than Leopold felt a chill run down his spine.

Without daring to look back, he grabbed Griffin's hand. "Run, run, Percival's here, run for our lives!"

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