"We should have noticed something was off much earlier."


    Giselle''s expression was icy, "Rnd''s not dead, yet he continues to stay out of sight, letting The Lockwood Group teeter on the edge. He''s probably beenfortably watching the spectacle unfold from behind the scenes. How close do you think The Lockwood Group is to copsing?"


    Charles frowned, contemted briefly, then shook his head. "Not close enough."


    "Exactly, not close enough. But if we keep pushing, we''ll end up exposing ourselves first."


    Giselle lowered her gaze and spoke calmly, "We''ve already gained a substantial amount. It''s time to pull back and secure what we have. As for the Lockwood family, there''s still an opportunity, isn''t there?"


    Charles pondered for a moment and chuckled, "True. Rnd has a critical weakness—his brother. He''s always been infatuated with you. If leveraged properly, we can dismantle the Lockwood family. It''s only a matter of time. You''ve been in contact with him recently, haven''t you?"


    "Yes."


    Giselle closed her eyes and replied coolly, "He''s been distressed over his brother''s situation. I keep in touch with him daily, and his obsession with me only deepens."


    "Good. Let''s give the Lockwood family a bit of breathing room."


    Charles looked at his daughter with growing satisfaction. He was grateful for allowing her to study abroad at prestigious universities. Now, all those years of effort and money had paid off-she''d grown into a beautiful and aplished


    woman.


    But that wasn''t enough.


    He spoke again, "Even though Lysander values you now, it''s not secure enough. Don''t hide it from me he almost divorced recently but backed out, right?"


    Giselle''s expression froze. She turned her face slightly and nodded slowly, "That woman did give him a son. It''s hard for him to let go so quickly. I understand."


    Charles scoffed at this.


    "Then why not give him a child yourself? I''ll make sure your child bes the sole heir to the Montgomery family."


    "Dad, there''s no rush. I know what I''m doing."


    "You''d better be quick."


    Charles expressed concern, "The Lockwood family can''t be toppled in the short term. When ites to the Forest Team partnership, the Lockwood family remains a formidable rival. I still need Lysander to open doors for me." Giselle nodded.


    "Don''t worry about that. As soon as I ask, he''ll help."


    "And the Montgomery family has far more influence than the Lockwood family. The Forest Team would be blind not to choose what''s more advantageous."


    Charles smiled at her words, and seeing that it was about time, he prepared to leave. As he stood, Giselle stopped him.


    "Dad, since Miranda dared to cause us trouble, we ought to teach her a lesson."


    Charles looked down at his daughter, whoy in the hospital bed with a sweet smile. He couldn''t help but smile back, gently stroking her hair with a fatherly tenderness.


    "Of course."


    As he pushed open the door to leave, he saw Lysander approaching from the hallway, having just returned someone. His face was still adorned with a smile. "Heading out, sir?"


    Lysander greeted him with a friendly nod. "Yes, work''s keeping me busy. I don''t have much time to visit her, so make sure you take good care of her for me." "Absolutely."


    After exchanging a few more words, Charles insisted Lysander stay behind as he left.


    Lysander stood at the hospital room door, watching Charles''s receding figure, a soft smile ying on his lips before he stepped inside.


    Night had fallen, and Lysander still hadn''t returned to the family estate.


    Seeing Felicity fuming, M tried tofort her, casually inquiring about the situation. She learned that her mother-inw had summoned him earlier, but he neither returned nor sent any message.


    While she consoled her, M felt content—ack of presence suited her just fine. Yet, upon reflection, she realized something: Lysander being at the hospital with Giselle presented her with a significant opportunity!