Sophia never left Carl’s side. The doctors managed to save him—barely—but danger still clung to him like a shadow.“Miss, you can go home now. Don’t worry. We’re Carl’s men. We won’t let anything happen to him,” Nicholson said gently.Carl’s men had rushed to the hotel the moment they heard what happened. Good thing they hadn’t gone back to the Arctic Region yet, so they made it in time.Red was the one who tipped them off. If they had arrived even a minute later, they were certain Carl wouldn’t have survived.But Sophia didn’t even blink at Nicholson’s words. She stayed glued to the chair beside Carl’s bed, refusing to waver. She wasn’t going anywhere—not until Carl opened his eyes and saw her first.Carl had once risked his life for her.Giving a little of her time was nothing in comparison.“The doctor said they’re unsure when he’ll wake up,” Nicholson added. “But he’s stable now. His body is healing faster than expected.”“That’s not what they told me,” Sophia whispered, her voice

Jasmine felt her entire world collapse the moment she saw her grandfather fall forward during dinner. One second he was talking, the next he was vomiting and losing consciousness right in front of her.They rushed him to the nearest hospital.“Please! Do everything! Check my grandfather!” Jasmine cried, her voice trembling with panic.The doctors immediately surrounded Jose Garcia, running test after test. But no matter what they did, nothing made sense.“Miss Garcia,” one doctor said softly, “we’ve already performed multiple examinations. His vitals are unstable, but everything else is normal. No infection, no internal bleeding, no neurological issues. The only irregularity is his fluctuating temperature—but all his scans are negative.”“How could everything be normal?!” Jasmine snapped, tears spilling over. “He can’t even wake up!”Ophelia glared at the medical team, her voice sharp as a blade. “Then you’re all useless! How can none of you see what’s wrong with him?! You call yours

“A conman?! How dare you?!” Tony snapped. “Where’s your proof?!”Ophelia shook her head hard, refusing to entertain even the slightest possibility that Carl might be telling the truth.“Carl! They’ve helped us so far! And you? Nothing!” she spat. “So stop accusing them!”Carl let out a low, humorless smirk. He truly couldn’t believe that after everything, her mindset was still exactly the same.“I really can’t believe how little you think of me,” Carl said quietly. “But fine. If that’s what you believe… If you think they can help you more, then do whatever you want. But remember this, Ophelia— I will never let you put Grandfather or Jasmine in danger again.”And with that, he turned and walked out of the room.He had already stabilized Jose, and he had no energy left for pointless shouting matches. His priority now was recovering the Mirava petal and preparing the real medicine. He stepped back into the hallway just as his phone vibrated.Sophia.He immediately answered.“Sophia.”“Ca

James’ shoulders straightened the moment he saw Ophelia and Jasmine storm into the bar. Confidence washed over him—like he’d suddenly grown a spine simply because his “rescue team” had arrived.He scrambled to his feet, brushing dust off his jeans, and practically jogged toward them.“Mom! Jasmine! I—uh—I can explain—”But Ophelia didn’t even look at him at first. Her eyes locked straight onto the woman in red, her anger flaring like a match tossed into gasoline.“What kind of woman are you?!” Ophelia barked, marching right up to her. “Why are you doing this to my son?! He didn’t do anything wrong! You—”“Mom!” Jasmine hissed, grabbing her arm to pull her back before she said something suicidal. “Please, calm down!”Ophelia ignored her, still glaring at the woman as if she could win this with pure attitude alone.Meanwhile, the red-dressed woman arched a brow, utterly unfazed. The entire security team tensed, ready in case Ophelia’s mouth triggered an early funeral.Jasmine stepped f

Ophelia and James were already inside the car when Jasmine suddenly stopped. She took one last look at the bar. Carl still hadn’t come out—not even after everything that happened.“You two go ahead to the hospital. I still have something to do,” Jasmine said firmly.“What? But you should—”Ophelia didn’t even finish her sentence. Jasmine had already shut the door.With a deep breath, Jasmine headed back into the bar to find Carl.The place was a disaster zone.The guys Carl had fought earlier were gone, but shattered glass still glittered across the floor, and tables and chairs lay broken like fallen soldiers of a furniture war.She scanned the room—and finally spotted him at the far corner.Carl sat on a barstool, quietly sipping his drink as if he hadn’t just caused chaos worthy of a police report.Jasmine walked toward him.“Carl.”Carl turned, surprised to see her. “Jasmine. I thought you already left.”Jasmine took the seat beside him. “What about you? Why are you still here? Are