Natalie sent a message to Lincoln, but he didn''t respond, likely still busy with fans seeking autographs and photos. She put her phone away and headed to Sophia''s hospital room with Marcus.


    Sophia had been moved from the ICU to a VIP room. She had calcted


    precisely where to inflict her injuries, ensuring they appeared severe but weren''t life-threatening.


    She spent a night in the ICU due to significant blood loss and the seriousness of the situation at the time. The doctor, acting responsibly and concerned about possible suddenplications, deemed it safer to monitor her in the ICU overnight.


    Now, shey awake in her hospital bed, listening to Samantha speak. Samantha was wiping away tears, and Sophia didn''t offerfort, simply gazing at her with gentle eyes and a faint smile.


    After so many years, Sophia could finally enjoy a peaceful life with Samantha.


    Natalie knocked on the door. "May wee in?"


    "Doe in," Samantha said, rising to greet them.


    "Ms. Walker, Marcus, thank you," Samantha said, about to kneel in gratitude.


    Natalie swiftly supported her. "Ms. ir, there''s no need for that. Just call me Nat. How is Sophia today? Is she alright?"


    "She''s much better," Samantha replied, with Natalie''s support. Her eyes were red, clearly struggling to keep herposure.


    Last night, Zachary suggested she lie down on the chair and rest, but her worries kept her awake. Even with her eyes shut, sleep eluded her.


    Samantha had endured a tough life in the convent for years. If Ivan hadn''t constantly ckmailed her with their daughter, she might have ended her life long ago.


    She never imagined Ivan would use her to threaten Sophia. For years, mother and daughter had been tightly controlled by Ivan, each for the other''s sake.


    Samantha spent the entire night reflecting. The misfortune between her and her daughter was indeed her fault, so she resolved to pull herself together.


    Zachary and Zane stayed with her all night until it was time to move Sophia to the VIP room. Zane had to head to work at Goodwill Pharmacy early in the morning, so Zachary saw him off.


    Zachary then went out to get some food for her.


    "Sophia," Samantha said, turning to Sophia on the hospital bed. "Nat and Marcus are here to visit you."


    Sophia''s lips curved into a smile, and her eyes lit up as she looked at Natalie.


    Natalie helped Samantha over to the bed meant for family members to rest. "Ms. ir, you should take a break. Try to get some sleep."


    "I''m not tired."


    "Get some sleep," Natalie insisted firmly, leaving no room for argument.


    Samantha had prominent dark circles under her eyes, and her entire body radiated severe fatigue, clearly showing signs of extreme exhaustion.


    Samantha was aging, and being confined to the convent by Ivan, with Julia and Ruby around, must have made her life very challenging.


    Natalie helped Samantha onto the bed and tucked the quilt around her. "Ms. ir, have a good rest. I''ll ensure nothing happens to Sophia while you''re asleep. If you don''t rest and end up copsing before Sophia gets better, you''ll only make her worry."


    "Well... all right." Samantha shut her eyes but soon reopened them. "Natalie, your parents visited recently. They had a long talk with me and offered Sophia substantialpensation, but she turned it down. As her mother, I want to ept it for her."


    "Absolutely ept it. I''ll convince Sophia to agree. Don''t worry, Ms. ir."


    "Okay, thank you." With that assurance, Samantha finally closed her eyes.


    Natalie began to gently massage her temples and then moved on to press several other acupoints. Before long, Samantha drifted into a deep sleep.


    After ensuring Samantha was fast asleep, Natalie returned to Sophia''s bedside, pulled up a chair, and sat down. "Did my parents visit?"


    "Yes," Sophia replied softly, a smile lingering on her lips. "Nat, I made it through. The surgery was sessful. I''ve been given a new chance at life."


    Sophia''s smile widened, and she looked at Natalie with affection. "Once I recover, how about I work at your clothingpany while working with Zachary on my mental health?"


    "Of course," Natalie agreed instantly. "You''re always wee in mypany. But let''s be clear, your sry will reflect your skills. I can''t offer too many special privileges."


    Sophia chuckled. "Alright. Nat, thank you. Marcus, could we talk privately for a few minutes?"


    Marcus stepped forward. "Sure. Nat, could you step outside for a bit?" Natalie nodded. "Okay."


    She stood up and left, closing the door behind her to give them privacy.


    Inside the hospital room, Sophia gestured for Marcus to take a seat.


    "How are things between you and Nat? Marcus, it''s clear you have feelings for her. You can''t hide that look in your eyes when you like someone."


    "Yes, I do," Marcus admitted without hesitation. "But I was drunk and impulsively ended our engagement."


    Sophia struggled to suppress herughter upon hearing this, but she refrained fromughing out loud to avoid aggravating her injuries.


    "So, are you nning to pursue her?"


    "Yes, but I''ve had a rough start." Marcus appeared calm, showing no signs of frustration from his setback. "Sophia, will you help me?"


    "You''ve supported me a lot over the years. Of course, I''ll help you." Sophia smiled. "However, if Nat doesn''t feel the same way, there''s not much I can do. I hope the two of you can find happiness. You''re both wonderful people. Whether you end up together or not, I wish you all the best."


    "Natalie''s husband can only be me," Marcus stated firmly. "I won''t give up on her."


    Sophia looked at him, taking a moment to process his resolve before nodding slowly. "Ah... I see."


    He added, "From now on, stay close to her and watch the men around her."


    "...Okay," Sophia agreed reluctantly. "So, I just need to keep an eye on the men around her and let you know, right?"


    "Yeah."


    "I want to pursue Nat, but I can''t make her ufortable, and I definitely can''t interfere with her freedom to make friends. But her boyfriend, and eventually her husband, can only be me."


    Marcus'' determined tone and


    expression left Sophia a bit stunned.


    He had previously denied his


    feelings at Goodwill Pharmacy, but now he was so sure of them. Men


    could be quite unpredictable.


    "However, I won''t put you in an awkward situation," Marcus said, cing the Sinir Group acquisition contract in front of Sophia "This is a token of appreciation for helping me pursue


    Nat."


    wnovel


    Sophia''s eyes widened once more. "Marcus, you—"


    He cut her off. "You just said you made it through, and this is your new chance at


    life. Since this is the start of a new chapter, how could there not be a gift?"