Laura was clearly upset. Charles quickly got up to steady her. "Laura, don''t get worked up-sit down."


    Her gaze turned cold. She took a deep breath to suppress the anger and resentment rising within her.


    "Sorry. My emotions got the best of me. If my tone was harsh or my words unpleasant, I ask for your forgiveness, Father. I''m tired, so I''ll rest now."


    Without letting him touch her, Laura stepped aside and quickly left the guestroom. Because she was still recovering, she continued to stay in the pharmacy under Connie''s care. When Charles wasn''t around, she was calm andposed. But once she saw him, her emotions would suddenly turn.


    As she turned away, her eyes filled with tears. She knew exactly what Wesley was nning to do—but she also knew she couldn''t stop him.


    She and Marcus had been separated for so many years, tormented by Umbrahex until she was barely recognizable as a human.


    Wesley had apanied her through every treatment, wishing he could bear the pain for her, living like an ascetic, having no intimacy for years.


    Charles had raised Marcus in their absence, but if not for Cassie poisoning her with Umbrahex, she would never have been separated from Marcus in the first ce. She could have fulfilled her role as a mother.


    In the end, Laura couldn''t hold back her tears. They fell before she could stop them.


    "Laura, what''s wrong?" Connie had juste to look for her. Seeing Laura''s red eyes and the tears falling down her cheeks, she hurried forward in concern.


    "I''m fine," Laura said, quickly wiping her face. "Don''t tell Nat or Marcus." "Are you really okay, Laura?"


    "I really am. Don''t worry about me." Laura forced a smile. "Nat and Marcus went to Amberton. I don''t want them to worry. Once I''m better, I''ll go back to Dithoria and open a flower shop. When Nat and Marcus get married, I''ll help take care of their kids.


    "Not being there to raise Marcus has always been my biggest regret. I''ve been a poor excuse for a mother."


    "Don''t say that, Laura. You didn''t choose this. Not being able to raise Marcus wasn''t your fault." Connie''s heart ached for Laura. If she had suffered the same torment under Umbrahex for years, she wasn''t sure she would have survived. Laura''s strength wasn''t something just anyone could match.


    "Thank you, Connie." Laura hugged her. "Oh, and Charlotte''sing to visit. She should arrive tomorrow. When she does, I''ll need your help to speak positively about my condition."


    "Got it."


    Laura had stayed in contact with Charlotte over the years, but she had always downyed her hardships. Even after Charlotte found out how bad things were, Laura would still smile and tell her it was nothing.


    "Go rest, Laura."


    "I will. You get some rest too, Connie."


    "I will."


    Connie apanied Laura back to the pharmacy. After watching her fall asleep, Connie turned off the lights and stepped out. As she did, she pulled out her phone and noticed a missed call from an unfamiliar number, along with a text message that read, "I''m the owner of this number. I know who''s behind Grace Langley."


    Connie frowned, took a screenshot, and sent it to Natalie, "Ms. Walker, I just got this message. Can you take a look and tell me what it means?"


    Natalie quickly called her. "Connie, call that number right now. Ask what they want."


    "Yes, Ms. Walker."


    Connie hung up and immediately dialed the number. The phone rang several times before someone picked up. The voice on the other end was hoarse and grating, like a worn-out tape. "Hello, Ms. Sterling."


    Per Natalie''s instructions, Connie got straight to the point. "Hello. You sent me a message. What do you mean by it?"


    "I should be asking you why Natalie is investigating me," the caller said with a sinisterugh. "And sending people after me. What, do they care if Megan lives or dies?"


    "That''s none of my concern," Connie replied, rolling her eyes though the other person couldn''t see. "If you''ve got a problem with Ms. Walker, contact her directly. Why send the message to me? I''m not her. To me, you sound like a lunatic."


    "I want Natalie to meet me. Alone. Amberton''s Starlight za, third floor arcade,


    at machine number 33. Got it? Shees alone."


    Without giving Connie a chance to respond, the caller hung up.


    Connie immediately called Natalie back. "Ms. Walker, the person said that he knows you''ve been investigating and sent people to catch him. His voice


    Sras


    and


    rough, so definitely a man. He wants to meet you alone, at the arcade on the third floor of Starlight za in Amberton, by machine number 33.


    "Ms. Walker, I don''t think this guy has good intentions. You shouldn''t go."


    "I understand." Natalie noted down the address and hung up.


    "The owner of that number contacted Connie," she said.


    "I''ll go with you," Marcus said without hesitation. "Nat, I''m not letting you walk into danger alone."


    "There might not even be any danger," Walter said calmly. "He picked Starlight za, specifically the third-floor arcade, which suggests he doesn''t intend to hurt Nat. That ce gets heavy foot traffic every day. If anything, he might not even


    show up.


    Marcus looked at Walter. "You''re saying he''s just messing with us?"


    "Not necessarily," Walter replied, shaking his head. "It''s just strange. Your people were sent to capture him at Scarlet Hill, right? If he can still make this call, that means he got away. But the voice from the number before was clearly a woman. Now Connie says it''s a man. Doesn''t that strike you as odd?


    "I think we need to have a serious talk with Mr. Holden Senior."


    He turned to Natalie. "Nat, what do you think?"


    Natalie didn''t respond immediately. Instead, she looked at Marcus. Their eyes met, and in his gaze was filled with unwavering trust and love.


    "I think you''re right. We should talk to Grandpa Charles," Natalie said slowly and clearly. "Marcus, you go speak with him. Walter and I will go to the arcade."


    "I''ll go with you. Let Walter talk to my grandfather," Marcus said without even considering her proposal. Even when she called him by his first name, it wasn''t enough to make him change his mind about staying by her side.


    "That''s not going to work," Natalie rejected without hesitation. "Walter and I know Amberton better. You and Grandpa Charles are close, so you''ll be able to speak to him more openly. You know exactly what questions to ask him. Please, just take care of this for me, alright?


    "The fact that the owner of that number reached out first means he''s losing


    patience. We''re getting closer to the truth."


    Her voice softened, coaxing him like a child. "I won''t be at ease unless it''s you talking to Grandpa Charles."