Gracie chuckled at Lisa''s worry, "You and Emmitt might be stressing too much. He mentioned the same thing to me. How chaotic can a tourist city really get?"


    Lisa tightened her grip on Gracie''s hand, surprised by Ben''s words. "What else did Ben say?"


    "He didn''t say much, just handed me a card and told me to pick out a New Year''s gift when I''m abroad." Gracie''s expression softened. "Ben may not be my own, but he''s certainly thoughtful."


    "Thoughtful? He''s up to something! Mom, you''re falling for his act!" Lisa couldn''t help but let the sarcasm slip.


    Noticing her daughter''s sharp tone, Gracie feltpelled to defend Ben, recalling how Lisa''s prejudice began years ago. "Lisa, Emmitt isn''t like that. Maybe you''ve misunderstood him. I think you should..."


    Lisa, with a touch of sadness, pulled her hand back and looked away, cutting Gracie off, "Mom, I just need some time alone."


    Gracie opened her mouth to respond but only managed a soft sigh, standing up and adjusting her coat, "Alright then."


    The door''s soft click echoed as Lisa slumped onto the table, burying her head in her arms, feeling lost and overwhelmed.


    Ben had given her a no-win situation.


    A choice that hurt, no matter the path taken.


    If only she could escape it all, avoid facing anything.


    Lisa mused to herself.


    Meanwhile, as Gracie left Lisa''s room and went downstairs, she bumped into Ben returning from outside.


    Seeing her worried face, Ben paused thoughtfully before asking, "Marian, is everything alright?"


    Gracie attempted a smile, "It''s Lisa. She''s been holed up in her room all day. I can''t figure out her mood anymore. It''s exhausting."


    Ben nced up toward the second floor, casually spinning a ck ring on his finger, "Maybe it''s school stress. Try not to worry too much."


    Gracie sighed again.


    "I''ll go check on her." Ben''s voice was gentle, his demeanor calm and genuine.


    Gracie initially wanted to say it wasn''t needed, given Lisa''s bias against him, but seeing Ben''s sincere concern, she nodded, "Alright, please talk to Marian."


    Ben nodded slightly, agreeing, then made his way upstairs.


    **


    At the auction house.


    Wyatt had some snacks delivered, cing them on a small table next to Mirabe. Treating her as part of his circle now, he handed her the auction catalog.


    "Here are today''s auction items. See if there''s anything you fancy bidding on."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, slowly flipping through the catalog with about a dozen items, impressed by the treasures listed.


    Besides a few antiques only known from history books, there were priceless diamonds and jade pieces. But when she reached thest item, noted as the auction''s highlight, her curiosity piqued.


    Turning to Wyatt, she pointed at the final item with a hint of surprise, "Is this medicine actually worth more than the antiques?"