"It''s working," Lyra whispered, her voice barely audible.


    Her father, Joe Thompson, with some effort, managed to sit up. He swung his legs over the side of the bed.


    "It''s like a miracle," he murmured.


    Lyra captured each precious moment on video, her mind racing with possibilities.


    This was more than she had ever dared to hope for.


    For the wealthy, nothing was more priceless than their health.


    "Father, I''ll go call Mom," Lyra said, standing up.


    She quietly left the room, her heart pounding with excitement.


    Meanwhile, Joe nced at the smartphone beside his bed.


    After being confined for so long, his mind was churning with thoughts. Taking a deep breath, he dialed a number he hadn''t called in years.


    "Alfred Kingston?" he said when the line connected.


    "Joe Thompson?" Alfred''s voice held a note of shock.


    Joe had once been his fiercestpetitor in Vancouver. "I heard you were bedridden after a stroke."


    "My daughter obtained a medicine from a legendary doctor known as ''God''s Hand.'' I''m healed now," Joe exined, a hint of humility breaking through his usual demeanor.


    Alfred knew of God''s Hand. "Why are you calling me?"


    "Use me," Joe said, swallowing his pride.


    "I heard you''ve moved to Los Angeles, leaving your daughter to handle Vancouver. If there''s any role I can fill, let me help. I have nothing else to do."


    Everyone in Vancouver knew that Alfred and Joe were sworn enemies, as ipatible as fire and water.


    For Joe to ask to work for him-it was a staggering gesture, setting aside a lifetime of rivalry.


    "Why?" Alfred asked, genuinely surprised.


    "I may have lost as a politician, but I refuse to lose as a father. I can still work, Alfred."


    After a moment of silence, Alfred relented. "Alright, I''ll assign you as a senior advisor to Jasmine. Your experience and connections could offer her guidance."


    "I''ll take it. Thank you, Alfred."


    Alfred sighed, knowing well Joe''s formidable reputation as a sharp mind. If not for pure chance, he might have lost to him long ago. “Joe, if you do well, I''ll speak to the new king. He''s seeking talents like yours."


    "Thanks, Alfred, but I think my time has passed. This is the younger generation''s era. I''ll be content just being an advisor. Maybe you can help my daughter instead."


    "Alright... if you say so."


    A few minutester, Lyra joined her father Joe and her mother Nancy at the dining table.


    "Mom, Dad," she began, ncing at Nancy, who was holding Joe''s hand tightly, joy evident in her eyes at his


    recovery.


    "I believe it''s time for me to lead the Thompson family. With your support, I know I can restore our family''s glory.


    11


    Joe looked between Nancy and Lyra, a shadow of regret passing over his face. "I''m sorry for the wrong decisions that brought us down. I never thought a young king, barely in his twenties, would be able to take down the old king so decisively."


    "Honey, no one could have predicted it," Nancy said softly. If the old king had won, we''d be as powerful as the Kingstons. But Alfred made the right call, and we backed the wrong leader. No one is to me."


    Joe sighed, the weight of past mistakes heavy on his shoulders. "Now that I''m well again, I''ll be working with Jasmine Kingston.


    "Are you sure?" Nancy asked, surprised. "You were once Alfred Kingston''s fiercest rival."


    Joe shook his head. "There''s no shame in working with the Kingstons. Politicians survive anything."


    "Dad, I''m d you''re moving forward," Lyra said, sensing his relief. "And what about you, Mom?"


    "I''m not sure," Nancy replied. Her investmentpany was gone; she had little left to do.


    "Mom." Lyra leaned closer. "Will you be my advisor? I have $45 million to invest and five healing pills. If we do well, I believe he''ll invest even more."


    Nancy''s eyes narrowed. "How much more?"


    "Billions," Lyra whispered.


    Nancy''s eyes lit up with newfound excitement. "There''s no one in Vancouver with that kind of wealth-not even Alfred. Seems like you''ve met someone interesting."


    She''s well aware that Alex is Sophia''s husband-her best friend''s, no less.


    But really, where''s the harm? Sophia might have the privilege of marrying Alex''s body, but she knew full well that she''s trulymitting to his bank ount. "Are you in, Mom?"


    "Absolutely," Nancy said, feeling the old investment gears in her mind start turning again.


    For the Thompsons, a new dawn was finally breaking.


    ***


    "Chris, are you awake?"


    Chris Rnd stirred, blinking as he saw Bianca standing in the doorway, her professional attire entuating her striking beauty.


    "Bianca, are you heading to work?"


    "Yes. Miss Jasmine has us swamped already," Bianca replied, leaning down to kiss him gently, "Be good while I''m gone. I made breakfast for you. See youter."


    With that, Bianca left, and Chris sat alone at the breakfast table, the silence pressing in around him.


    Once, he had been Vancouver''s most eligible bachelor-handsome, wealthy, sessful, with high-ranking status among the elite.


    Women had flocked to him, sending love letters and harboring dreams.


    Bianca had been one of his most devoted admirers.


    A few weeks ago, as the police searched for him, Chris knew he couldn''t return home.


    Desperate and with nowhere else to turn, he had shown up on Bianca''s doorstep. "Who''s there?" her voice came from behind the door.


    When she saw him, her eyes widened in shock. "Chris Rnd?"


    "Can Ie in?" he asked, looking exhausted and desperate.


    Bianca hesitated, ncing at the television where a live search for Chris yed, but finally, she stepped aside. "Of course."


    "What happened, Chris?" she asked as he slumped onto the sofa. "Sophia Lancaster and her husband Alex-they stole mypany and used


    me of things I didn''t do. They lie to the police. They want me out of the picture to take over my things and life," he said, his voice breaking.


    A tear slipped down his cheek.


    Bianca, who had loved him from afar for so long, felt her heart ache.


    She sat beside him, wrapping her arms around his trembling shoulders. "I believe you, Chris. I''ll help you clear your name."


    "Thank you, Bianca. I need you,” he whispered, leaning into her embrace.


    He wrapped lies in sweet words and let Bianca ate them like candy, forgetting the poison underneath.


    From that moment, they had shared her bed, with Bianca utterly convinced of his innocence.


    Now, sitting at the breakfast table, Chris took out a small, concealed vial. The aphrodisiac pills.


    It was time to persuade Bianca to use it on Jasmine.