Valeria’s eyes widened briefly before she bowed her head in quiet contemplation.

Eventually, she murmured a soft affirmation. “I see now…”

After offering further solace, Gracie personally escorted Valeria back home.

“There’s something else,” Gracie ventured as they neared the estate. “Erik had a private visit with Kevin earlier today. I’m unclear on the details. He’s deeply suspicious of both Brayden and me. Would you be willing to assist?”

Valeria, her eyes still puffy from crying, met her gaze steadily. “Of course. What exactly do you need?”

“Probe into his motives,” Gracie requested. “Dumping everything on you at once is overwhelming, I know, but events are unfolding rapidly—Kevin’s illness alone leaves no room for gradual acceptance.”

Having been raised amid affluent dynasties, Valeria was no stranger to cutthroat power plays and succession wars; she had navigated and triumphed in her own generational conflicts.

Gracie was confident that Valeria could swiftly regain her composure.

Valeria inhaled deeply. “Consider it done. I’ll get to the bottom of it without delay.”

“This won’t be easy for you emotionally,” Gracie acknowledged. “I’ll accelerate the trials to rouse Kevin from his state. When the moment arrives, I may need your consent for the unproven therapy.”

Her grip tightened on the wheel.

“One son’s mistakes don’t earn you a pass to punish the other. I trust you to make the right choice.”

Valeria stepped out of the car, casting a profound glance back through the glass.

Her expression had settled into resolute tranquility, the earlier panic replaced by steely determination.

Exhausted from weeks of relentless strain, Gracie headed home, retreated to her bedroom, and succumbed to deep slumber almost immediately.

She remained asleep for a full day and night.

Meanwhile, at a secluded recovery facility on the city’s outskirts, Clive arranged the fresh produce and nutritional products he had purchased on the table, then turned to Lia, whose healthy glow had returned to her features. “If there’s anything you crave, just inform the staff. Prioritize your healing above all.”

Lia lounged on the couch, toying idly with the hem of her medical attire. “How much longer must I stay confined here? This place feels like a luxurious cage rather than true freedom.”

Clive’s face betrayed a mix of conflicting emotions. “Departure isn’t possible yet. Concentrate on recuperating. The paperwork for your medical release from incarceration is already in process.”

Lia regarded him with an enigmatic smile, rising slowly and approaching until she stood before him.

Her slender arms encircled his neck as she pressed a voluntary kiss to his cheek.

The unexpected affection caused his eyes to widen in alarm, prompting him to retreat instinctively. “Lia, please don’t…”

Her face flushed warmly, her gaze softened with apparent longing. “This ordeal has opened my eyes to who genuinely values me.”

She inched closer. “I was foolish before, overlooking what was right in front of me… You defied Brayden himself to protect me this time—it touched me profoundly. If you’re open to it, I would love the opportunity to build a life together. To repay you with the rest of my days.”

Clive jerked his head up, unmistakable astonishment flooding his features. “What-what are you saying?”

“That I’ve fallen for you,” Lia confessed, her smile deepening as tenderness filled her eyes. “For the sake of our shared future, could you push a bit further? Once Theo topples Brayden, he’ll undoubtedly grant us liberty. We could escape to some serene countryside haven and live out our years in peace.”

Clive averted his eyes, his fists balling tightly at his sides. “So you’re suggesting I… assist Theo in eliminating Brayden?”

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