Just as Natalie finished watching the video, arge hand covered her eyes.


    "Don''t watch such disgusting things," Marcus'' deep, maic voice sounded in her ear. "It''ll ruin your appetite."


    Natalie smiled faintly. She had seen far bloodier and more revolting scenes than this. What disgusted her more than the sight of Ivan''s and Julia''s blood was their bedroom antics.


    At their age, they were still into such extreme activities. If nothing else, their stamina wasmendable.


    "From now on, it looks like Sophia will have to step up and take charge of the Sinir family''s affairs."


    Marcus kept one hand over Natalie''s eyes while using the other to turn off her phone before finally letting her see again.


    "Sophia isn''t in good health right now. I don''t think she''s in any condition to take charge," Natalie said, frowning slightly. "And Ms. ir doesn''t seem like someone who can handle it either."


    "So you mean you want me to step in?" Marcus'' tone darkened. If she dared to say yes, he would be upset.


    "Of course not." Natalie rejected the idea without hesitation. "Before, you treated Sophia as your benefactor and protected her. Back then, you and I had nothing to do with each other, so I had no say in it.


    "But now, you''re my boyfriend. If you step in to handle her affairs, what will


    outsiders think of me? What will my family think? They''ll all assume you still have feelings for her.


    "Besides, love often begins with sympathy. Since you''re my boyfriend now, helping other women is no longer your responsibility."


    Hearing this, the storm on Marcus'' face subsided a little.


    Her answer satisfied him.


    Suppressing the hint of a smile on his lips, Marcus asked casually, "Then... who do you think should help Sophia with this matter?"


    Natalie pondered for a moment before answering, "We''ve already done almost everything we can for Sophia. The rest is up to her."


    Marcus was even more satisfied with this answer, humming in response.


    "I''ll take you to the Helianese restaurant for dinner."


    "Sure!"


    Natalie had always liked the food there. But ever since she learned it was run by Marcus'' mother, her feelings about the ce had beplicated.


    There was also another thing that intrigued her the mysterious string of zeros on that address, which seemed to be linked to the Helianese Restaurant.


    Before heading out, Natalie sent a message to her family group chat, letting them know she wouldn''t being home for dinner. Then, she put away her phone.


    The moment she did, Marcus reached over and intertwined his fingers with her.


    Natalie stared at their interlocked hands for a long moment before looking up at him.


    Marcus merely smiled at her, his expression calm and natural.


    In the end, Natalie didn''t pull away, allowing him to hold her hand as they walked together.


    Though both of them had been engaged before, neither had any actual dating experience.


    But when it came to Marcus'' affectionate gestures, Natalie didn''t find them unpleasant.


    In fact, when she was drunk, she was even bolder than he was.


    Meanwhile, in the VIP room of Dithoria City Hospital, Sophia sat against the headboard, quietly scrolling through thetest trending news on her iPad.


    Zachary sat beside her, peeling an apple. Once he finished, he cut it into small pieces, skewered them with toothpicks, and ced the te in front of her.


    "You''ve read enough. Give your eyes a break," Zachary said as he reached out and took the iPad from her hands.


    "Eat some fruit. They are effective in boosting your vitamin intake."


    His tone was gentle.


    Sophia looked at him for a moment before finally speaking. "I need to handle my father''s funeral."


    "Before the news about the Sinir family broke, Julia had already scheduled an email to be sent tow enforcement. They should have arrived at the Sinir residence by now.


    "Julia made thorough preparations. Shepletely wiped all the surveince footage and destroyed the security system."


    Zachary looked at her. "You''re not in good health. This isn''t something you should be dealing with right now."


    After a brief pause, he continued, "If you''re willing, I can handle it for you-as your boyfriend."


    Sophia frowned slightly, quickly running through the situation in her mind.


    "I still want to keep an eye on the public''s reaction to the Sinir family."


    "There''s nothing worth seeing," Zachary said as he adjusted her


    nket. "Ms. ir was at the


    scene.


    Instead of worrying about public opinion, why don''t you talk to her?"


    Since returning from the Sinir residence, Samantha had barely spoken. Zachary had asked her several questions, but she only shook her head each time. Still, based on her microexpressions and the current news about the Sinir family, Zachary could more or less guess what she had witnessed there.


    "Sophia, don''t forget-Ruby Sinir is still out there. If you go out now, I worry she might secretly target you."


    Sophia considered his words carefully. Then, recalling Samantha''s dazed and silent state aftering back, she decided not to insist.


    "Alright, I''ll listen to you. But does it have to be my boyfriend? Can''t you handle it with another identity?"


    She hesitated as she looked at Zachary.


    He was the eldest son of the Holt family, as well as her former psychologist. He had already done so much for her, and she was deeply grateful.


    But if he pretended to be her boyfriend-and the Holt family found out-it could lead to unnecessary misunderstandings.


    Besides, Sophia didn''t want to owe Zachary anything more.


    "Aside from fiancé, the role of ''boyfriend'' is the most convenient way for me to handle things for you right now," Zachary said calmly.


    "It''s just a private arrangement-no one else will know. As for my family, whether it''s you or any other woman, they''d actually be happy to see me in a rtionship." Sophia was puzzled. "Why?"


    Zachary chuckled. "Because my parents have always suspected m not straight. So they''ve been hoping I''d bring home a girlfriend. Even if I don''t, just having one in name gives them peace of mind.


    "So really, Sophia, by letting me pretend to be your boyfriend, you''re actually


    doing me a favor."


    Sophia was finally convinced.


    She nodded. "Alright, then I''ll have to trouble you. There''s no need to be so


    formal, you know. We''ve been friends for years."


    After saying this, Zachary stood up and gently ruffled her hair.


    "Have a good talk with Ms. ir. She''s not in a good state right now."


    "I understand."


    Zachary then left the ward.


    Sophia turned her gaze toward Samantha, who sat by the window, staring nkly outside.


    After all these years, she had finally been able to take Samantha out of that cold, deste convent in the Sinir residence.


    The process had been painful and exhausting. But at least the oue was good.


    "Mom, I''m thirsty," Sophia called out.


    Samantha, who had been lost in thought, Immediately snapped back to reality. She hurried to pour a ss of warm water and brought it to Sophia. "Sophia, be careful-it''s hot."


    "Mom, ever since you came back, you haven''t said a word. What''s on your mind?"


    Samantha''s eyes turned red instantly. Looking at Sophia, she couldn''t hold back


    her tears.


    "Sophia, I''m just happy. After all these years, I finally got to see Ivan and Julia get what they deserved.


    "The old saying is true-evil people


    will always meet their end. It''s not that justice doesn''te; it justes at the right time. And when it dees, everything is settled.