Herbert let out a soft, wryugh. "You two really are siblings. You thought of the exact same thing."


    "That''s because we both know Timothy all too well."


    After a full week in the hospital, Timothy was finally discharged. Henry was out of immediate danger but remained hospitalized to prepare for his surgery in a few days. Sallie Lawson came to pick Timothy up.


    Secretary Allen had filled her in on the events of the past couple of days. On the way home, she asked, “So, you''re really not getting a divorce?"


    "No."


    "Things between you two are so strained. If you don''t go through with it, I''m worried you''ll never be able to patch things up."


    "It''s fine. We''ll take it slow. I can wait."


    Sallie sighed, feeling helpless. "You know," she added, "while you were still in the ICU, Jessica found out from someone that Herbert spent seven years in ab trying to cure her aphonia. She seemed... deeply affected by it."


    Timothy''s jaw tightened. After a long moment, he said, “Gratitude isn''t love."


    "I don''t know about that. A lot of love stories start with gratitude. Timothy, what if—" "There are no ''what ifs''," he cut her off sharply.


    Sallie''s lips parted, but she said nothing more. There was no point in arguing.


    When Timothy noticed she was driving him toward The Gilded Whisper Estates, he spoke again. "Take me to the family estate first."


    Seeing him return, the whole family was overjoyed-everyone except Rebekah. She had been miserable for days. Her own son, Thurston, had been a match for Henry, and the foolish boy was actually happy about being able to save his cousin. With only two sons in their generation of the Lawson family, if something had happened to Timothy, Thurston would have been the heir apparent. He had no sense of self-preservation. Thurston even rushed over to help Timothy to a seat, calling out, "Brother!"


    Naylor Lawson sat down on Timothy''s other side, beaming. “To survive a great disaster is to be blessed with good fortune! Timothy, you have to take care of yourself from now on. Don''t scare me like that again. My heart can''t take it.”


    "I came back today because I have an important announcement to make."


    "Go on, tell us! Whatever you say, it''s fine," Naylor said eagerly. Timothy was his pride and joy. At the peak of his life, he was leading The Lawson Group to new heights of stability and sess. Naylor would agree to anything.


    Phelps Lawson, the family patriarch, had no objections either. He was old, and Naylor was mediocre. The future of the Lawson family rested entirely on Timothy''s shoulders. He used to feel the need to guide Timothy, fearing the younger man might misstep, but now Timothy had proven himself to be


    exceptional among his peers. Phelps


    was deeply satisfied.


    "In the past, I was too focused on work and rarely paid attention to family matters," Timothy began, his voice steady. “I only learnedter how much disrespect Jessica has endured in this house."


    An immediate silence fell over the


    room. They were the Lawsons, and they had all looked down on the mute girl, Jessica. No matter how hard she tried, they had treated her with contempt. Yet, they had been more than willing to let her manage all the important household affairs for family events, seeing it as her duty for having the good fortune to marry into their family.


    "What''s past is past," Timothy continued, his gaze sweeping over them. "But from this day forward, I will not tolerate anyone disrespecting her again. She is my wife, and her status is equal to mine. To that end, I have transferred all of my personal assets into her name, including my shares in The Lawson Group."