If things went on like this, Liliana would have no way to make her move.


    Sure, she could gamble that Hogan would never wake up, but word was his treatment was going fairly well. What if he suddenly pulled through?


    She bit her lip hard, anxiety tightening her chest. Was she really going to give up?


    No. She would never give up on Finnian. At most, she''d just have to find another way. Her gaze darkened with resolve.


    That afternoon, Amara visited the Everly family estate to see Mr. Kevin Everly. She''d decided to cook him a meal herself, and Finnian came into the kitchen to help.


    Truth be told, Amara would''ve preferred Finnian stayed out of the way. Sure, he was helpful-she couldn''t deny that-but as soon as Finnian stepped into the kitchen, the other staff always seemed to melt away, leaving the two of them alone, as if they were deliberately making space for something to happen. Honestly—there was nothing between them, so why bother creating that kind of atmosphere?


    Atst, the meal was ready. Amara and Finnian carried the dishes to the dining room together, and Amara asked Lisa to call Mr. Kevin Everly down for dinner.


    Amara had made about sixty percent of the food, while Finnian was responsible for the rest. Not wanting to take credit for someone else''s work, Amara pointed out the dishes Finnian had prepared as Mr. Kevin Everly sat down.


    She was only trying to be fair, but Mr. Kevin Everly smiled broadly. "Finn used to be such a workaholic-never cared about things like this. Who would''ve thought he''d learn to cook? He''s the kind of man who can handle both the boardroom and the kitchen. A real catch."


    "Men like that are rare these days, don''t you think, Ama?"


    He was being far from subtle about trying to sell Finnian, and to make matters worse, Finnian himself added, calm as ever, "Not many people cook these days, and even fewer men." The self-praise hung in the air, leaving Amara at a loss for how to respond.


    Just as the mood was starting to turn awkward, Mr. Kevin Everly''s phone rang.


    He picked up, but barely five secondster, he mmed his hand on the table and shot to his feet, eyes wide with excitement. "Hogan''s awake?"<fne9c7> Official source is find{n}ovel</fne9c7>


    Hogan was awake?


    Amara set her fork down, taken aback.


    She''d heard Hogan was undergoing treatment from foreign specialists these past couple of days, but no one had dared quarante a recovery. Some doctors had even hinted that he might remain in aa_ indefinitely. Yet, against all odds, he''d woken up so soon.  s


    "All right, I''m heading to the hospital now." Mr. Kevin Everly hung up, not sparing a nce at his untouched meal.


    "Lisa, grab my coat! I need to see Hogan."


    His excitement was only natural—after all, Hogan was his grandson. Amara and


    Finnian both put down their utensils, ready to apany him.


    Just as they reached the door, Finnian''s phone rang with a call from an unknown number. He answered as he walked, "Hello?"


    "Mr. Everly, it''s me-Liliana''s assistant," came Nora''s anxious voice.


    A quick image of a round-faced girl shed into Finnian''s mind. “Is something wrong?"


    "Mr. you need toe right、 away!"


    a blurted, her tone urgeet


    "It''s Liliana-she''s had an ident. She she''s had a miscarriage..  s


    Finnian stopped in his tracks, stunned by the news.


    After a brief, heavy silence, his voice was low and steady. "Where is she?"


    Nora gave him the name of the hospital. Finnian hung up, then turned to his grandfather. "Grandpa, you go ahead and see Hogan I have something I need to take care of  s