Leonard paused slightly, then nodded in agreement.


    "That''s awfully rude! I ordered this especially for my sister."


    Eugene picked himself up from the floor, his eyes darkening as he looked at the scattered food. It was clearly ruined beyond saving.


    With no time to clean up the mess, he hurriedly dashed to the hospital room, worried about his sister.


    He pushed the door open to find his sister lying motionless on the hospital bed, a wave of panic washing over him as he raced to her side, shouting her name.


    M weakly raised her hand, "I''m alright."


    Eugene grasped her hand, letting out a sigh of relief but still worried. He promptly called a doctor to examine her.


    Fortunately, she was mostly unhurt, though strict instructions were given to keep her emotions steady and to rest quietly. Her head injury needed careful attention.


    "It''s all because of our brother. What on earth is he doing here?" Eugene fumed, grumbling as he winced, "Easy, easy, sis, that hurts."


    M sat up against the headboard, gently applying antiseptic to Eugene''s facial wounds with a cotton swab. Her eyes were red with concern and anger.


    "That scoundrel! What kind of grudge does he have that he had to go so far?"


    Eugene, however, smiled brightly, "As long as you care for me, I''m not in pain. If you''re happy, I''m happy too."


    M shot him a look, but a smile crept onto her face despite herself.


    Eugene picked up a crumpled piece of paper from the floor, noticing what it was through the creased edges. He looked over at M on the bed.


    "Sis?"


    M took the paper from him and tossed it into the trash can, her tone calm.


    "It''s nothing. I have plenty more."


    "And what about the rest?" Eugene asked, a hint of worry in his voice.


    M smiled, her gaze unwavering, "I''ve given up on settling this privately. We''ll wait for the court date."


    The private negotiations had been a series of defeats, with the other party refusing to listen to reason.


    She had given up.


    The courtroom was the only path left, and her legal team was pushing for a quick review from the court, hoping to set an early trial date.


    ...


    With the food spilled, they ordered something simple to eat.


    That night, Eugene stayed in the hospital room to keep herpany. He did so for the next few days.


    During this time, Lysander didn''t show up to bother her again, likely staying by Giselle''s side.


    That was for the best-he should keep clear of her!


    As for Hugo and Charlotte, who were staying in the same hospital, they


    surprisingly kept their distance and didn''t cause any trouble.


    Jade did call, inviting her over for dinner. But with the obvious white bandage wrapped around her head, she dared not go.


    If their aunt found out about her injury and that the Suthend family was involved again, she''d be furious!


    The results of her aunt''s health check had juste back, showing she was in good shape with no major issues. The main concern was to keep her emotions steady-not too excited, nor too angry or sad.


    There was no way she could let her aunt know about the injury.


    Using the excuse of having important matters to attend to, she declined the invitation. Having such a mess happen right before the holidays was just in unlucky.


    After a few days in the hospital, with her stitches stable, M nned to be discharged.


    She asked Eugene to pack up her things while she went downstairs to pick up her medication, which included mostly ointments for healing and scar prevention.


    Just as she was about to call Eugene to ask when he''d being down, she heard a voice behind her, one both unfamiliar and familiar.


    "M?"


    She paused and turned around.