Before M could voice her refusal, Forrest chimed in, "We''re still friends, right?"


    M found herself at a loss for words.


    Over dinner, they chatted about Forrest''s travel stories and the sights he''d seen abroad. As the evening drew to a close, M couldn''t help but bring up the hospital situation.


    Forrest had indeed looked into it.


    His friend from the hospital had told him: "That guy''s as strong as an ox. He had a head injury, but by the next day, he was up and about like nothing happened. He might be discharged in just a few days."


    Now, when M asked, Forrest adjusted his sses and smiled gently. "He''s out of the emergency room, but things don''t look too good. I''ve asked a friend to keep an eye on him. They''ll update me if anything changes."


    M felt uneasy, and after dinner, she absentmindedly retreated to the guest


    room.


    ...


    Later that night, in the study.


    Forrest was working at his desk when a knock came at the door.


    "Come in."


    Howard entered, handing over a stack of papers filled with notes and a few photos of M.


    "Everything Ms. Suthend did today is documented here."


    "Thank you."


    Forrest took the papers, carefully reviewing the content and the photos of M''s profile and silhouette, a warm smile gracing his face.


    Howard, observing his employer''s demeanor, couldn''t help but speak up, "Sir, if you care about Ms. Suthend, why not just tell her? Wouldn''t it be better for her to know?"


    Forrest adjusted his sses again, his expression gentle but his words devoid of emotion.


    "Vance, you don''t understand. Seven years ago, she didn''t choose me."


    "If it weren''t for Lysander losing control and pressuring her, she wouldn''t havee with me, let alone be here."


    He couldn''t risk it.


    Howard sighed silently and left without saying more.


    ...


    In the guest room.


    M inserted a newly reced SIM card into her backup phone, ignoring the


    missed calls and messages for the moment, and dialed Miranda.


    She exined her situation and asked how Miranda was doing.


    Miranda''s voice was as lively as ever.


    "...Don''t worry about me. The Lockwood family saga isn''t over yet. I''ve got several people keeping an eye on things here. Once it''s all wrapped up, I''lle find you... I think I should just join you abroad."


    Because of the Lockwood family affair, she''d made quite a few enemies recently and felt like she wouldn''t find peace even after it was over.


    Might as well escape abroad with her best friend!


    M readily agreed.


    Apart from her great-aunt, she didn''t have many familiar faces overseas, so having a close friend with her was certainly wee.


    They chatted for a while longer until M, feeling tired, ended the call. She''d had a night of fitful sleep filled with nightmares and now weariness was setting in early.


    Despite her persistent unease, she tossed and turned for a while before finally drifting off, only to be jolted awake by another nightmare.


    Startled, she sat in the dark room, her face pale.


    Just as she was about to turn on the light, a sudden knock on the door startled her. She reassured herself that she was in Forrest''s house, safe, before switching on the light and cautiously creeping to the door, peeking through a small gap.


    Outside,


    Forrest stood in the illuminated hallway, wearing a thin gray pajama set, smiling at her warmly.