Briony fell silent.


    "Bri, how did you get poisoned before?"


    There was no way Briony could tell Kendal the truth. Kendal had always been proud of Ferdinand; if he ever found out what Ferdinand had done, it would crush him.


    Briony turned to Stewart for help.


    Stewart understood her meaning and tactfully avoided mentioning Ferdinand. Instead, he asked, "Dr. Ellsworth, do you have any way to ease Bryn''s symptoms?"


    Kendal thought for a moment. "I need to meet with your attending physician."


    At that, Stewart immediately stood up. "I''ll contact him right away."


    Kendal''s arrival brought a glimmer of hope to Briony''s situation.


    Cedric rke escorted Kendal to meet the head of Briony''s medical team.


    That day, several specialists—both from traditional and Western medicine— gathered in the consulting room. They spent four or five hours discussing Briony''s condition, going over every detail.


    Three dayster, a new treatment n was confirmed.


    Itbined Kendal''s acupuncture therapy, Western medications to suppress the spread of cancer cells, and immune-boosting drugs—all in the hope of buying more time for a bone marrow match.


    Meanwhile, everyone close to Briony was doing their part-posting online, searching for donors with rare blood types, and asking them toe in for matching.


    ...


    A weekter, Briony''s condition had visibly improved. She looked and felt better, her spirits lifted.


    She asked to be discharged and recover at home.


    The hospital respected her wishes. As long as a patient''s condition was stable, they never insisted on keeping them in.


    On Tuesday morning, Brionypleted her discharge paperwork.


    Pearbrook Mansion was finally ready to move into.


    Briony insisted on hosting a small housewarming party.


    Truthfully, James was uneasy about her moving at such a time, but Briony had her own reasons. She worried that if she didn''t pull through, her passing would take ce at Skybreeze Retreat. That house had been his father and mother''s honeymoon home all those years ago-she didn''t want her illness to taint those sweet memories.


    Everyone understood Briony''s concerns and her personality. If they objected, she''d feel guilty, so after discussing it, they agreed to respect her wishes.


    For the auspicious date, Gwendolyn White had consulted a well-known spiritual advisor. They settled on August 8th-a lucky day in the calendar.


    A cheerful start, some good fortune-Briony hoped it would help.


    That day, the weather was perfect-clear blue skies and sunshine. Briony was up early.


    Ste hade to stay with her two days before.


    Even though it was just a modest gathering, they couldn''t skip all the usual traditions.


    Ste helped Briony with a bit of makeup, gently covering the traces of illness on her face. Then she picked out a soft blush-pink dress-a sleeveless style, with a cream cardigan draped over her shoulders. The look made Briony seem gentle and serene.


    She''d lost so much weight, though, her corbones were sharply defined.


    Ste eyed her, tapping her chin. "You need a ne. Hold on, let me see if I brought something that works..."


    Knock, knock-


    Someone rapped on the door.


    Briony went over to open it.


    Stewart stood outside.


    "You''re here early," she remarked.


    "Brought you something." Stewart held out a gift bag.


    Briony hesitated. "You didn''t need to bring a gift. It''s just a simple housewarming, nothing formal."


    "No one shows up empty-handed," Stewart replied, his tone warm and steady. "Don''t worry—it''s just a little something from a friend.”


    Since it was a friend''s gesture, Briony couldn''t refuse. She epted the bag with


    a quiet, "Thank you."


    "Happy housewarming. I''ll head downstairs to keep the kidspany."


    Briony nodded. "Alright."


    After Stewart left, Briony closed the door.


    Ste was the first to crowd over. “Come on, let''s see what Stewart gave you!"


    Briony opened the box.


    Inside was a gold ne. Despite


    being gold, it was crafted in the


    most popr style of the


    year-delicate snowkes linked


    together, each tipped with tiny


    diamonds.


    "This is gorgeous. Stewart really knows what he''s doing: gold for a housewarming


    —ssic for luck and good fortune. It''s the perfect gift!"


    Ste held the ne up to Briony''s neck, measuring it against her dress. "It


    goes perfectly. You should wear it today!"


    Briony hesitated. “Is that really alright?"


    "Of course! It''s yours now, and you''re


    the new homeowner. On your housewarming, you''re supposed to


    Wit of gold for good luck.


    Trust me-put it on!"