Simon felt utterly powerless as if the weight of the world rested on his shoulders. In the Ferguson family, Dn''s word was practically gospel. But life has a funny way of leveling the ying field, and Dn''s ident, which left him in a wheelchair, seemed like a twist of fate. It was a relief for those who had always been overshadowed by his brilliance.


    Growing up alongside Dn was no easy feat. They were of the same age group, yet Dn seemed to excel at everything without even trying, leaving others feeling second-rate. Simon''s mom had a point. ra''s boldness could bring nothing but shame if she ever married him. Simon couldn''t afford to let Dn find any fault with him, and he needed to rein in ra''s audacity before things got out of hand.


    He nced around but realized ra was already out of sight.


    Quinn, clinging to Simon''s arm, was ted. Nate had a reputation for being a troublemaker. Back in school, he''d even gotten a girl pregnant. If he was alone in a room with ra, there was no way he''d keep his hands to himself. ra was about to be a scandal!


    ''Serves her right!'' Quinn thought.


    Quinn was practically vibrating with excitement. If not for Ada and Simon nearby, she would''ve eavesdropped to confirm ra''s downfall. She would''ve been ready to spread the news and ensure ra could never show her face again!


    Upstairs, ra didn''t bother calling for help; she knew she was on her own. As soon as the bodyguards pushed her through the door, Nate locked it with a wicked grin. “ra, you''d never guess Simon would just stand by while another guy messed with you. Serves you right. I told you not to fall for him."


    He lunged at ra, excitement written all over his face. But ra dodged him.


    Nate just thought it was all part of the game. "Stop resisting. You''ve always listened to my sister, right? Being her sister-inw isn''t so bad. Now, just take off your clothes."


    ra edged towards the window, trapped with nowhere to hide. She eyed a vase nearby, but Nate was prepared this time.


    "ra, if I don''t get you today, I''ll eat my hat!" he taunted, lunging again.


    ra stepped onto the window ledge. It was the third floor, and jumping down was risky.


    "ra, you..." Before he could finish, ra gave him a cold look and leapt out.


    When she crashed into the shrubs below, she scratched her cheeks and twisted her ankle. But she couldn''t waste a second. With Ada''s attitude today, they''d be after her in no time.


    She limped and headed down a side path, hearing Nate''s shout behind her. "Ada! She''s running! Get someone to catch her!"


    ra''s instincts were spot-on. Ada wouldn''t let this go. The bodyguards quickly gave chase.


    ra climbed a tree, scaled the wall, and jumped down. She was now outside the estate but her ankle was swollen, and her cheeks bore several scratches.


    When she heard footsteps closing in, panic surged. Nate would make her pay dearly this time.


    Sweat dotted ra''s forehead, and her ankle throbbed painfully. Just as she emerged from the trees, a car horn red in the distance. Relief washed over her when she saw the familiar license te.


    A sleek ck car pulled up beside her. She opened the door and saw Dn inside.


    He was reclining, one hand supporting his head, quietly reading. The sunset cast a warm glow over him, softening his features.


    She shut the door, curled up in the corner, and rubbed her nose.


    The bodyguards reached the car but couldn''t identify its owner. One knocked on the window. "Is anyone inside?"


    For a moment, ra feared Dn might hand her over. After all, she didn''t know where she stood with him, and he was family to Simon.


    But Dn didn''t even nce outside. He simply instructed Aiden in the front seat, "Drive."


    The car sped off, leaving the bodyguards behind.


    ra exhaled deeply, leaning back. She nced at her swollen ankle, just as Dn spoke up. "How did this happen?"


    Indeed, how did ite to this?


    Perhaps it was because she truly had no one on her side, allowing Ada to act so brazenly. A wave of bitterness washed over her, and when she looked up, her cheeks were wet with tears.


    Dn put his book down, and after a few minutes, he asked, "Is it because the engagement was called off?"


    ''If she''s going to cry so much over it, maybe it shouldn''t have ended.'' Dn thought. ''So ra still loved Simon to the point of heartbreak.''


    His fingers twitched, gripping the book a little tighter.