Henry frowned and glanced over, instantly spotting Lydia.

He shot up from his seat right away.

"Henry?" Clara looked over at him in surprise, then followed his gaze-and her expression instantly darkened. "Why is she here again?!"

What the hell were those security guys doing? They couldn't even keep a girl like Lydia out!?

Fuming, her chest lightly heaving, she was just about to call someone over to drag Lydia out when Lydia had already stepped onto the stage.

The host froze for a second, not stopping her at all, just standing there as Lydia calmly placed her robot down.

Lydia quickly scanned the audience, then lightly tapped a command. The robot's voice rang out, saying exactly what she wanted to say.

"Wait a sec! The contest isn't over yet-I haven't had my turn!"

Her eyes were filled with determination. Some staff started hurrying over, but Lydia didn't flinch. She kept her focus and continued manipulating the robot.

"My robot can analyze substances in the human body. For example..."

The robot turned to face Charles, following her prompt.

"I can tell exactly what you ate yesterday, and list out every ingredient, down to the meds you took."

Then, right on cue, the robot began listing everything Charles had eaten the day before, including the medications and their chemical components-down to the last detail.

For a moment, everyone turned to look at Charles.

And then-total silence.

A beat later, a crisp round of applause broke out.

Charles stood up, clapping as he looked at Lydia. "Brilliant! Your analysis is spot on, and the idea is fascinating! I'll admit, I thought this year's contest was gonna be another disappointment. But Miss Abbott, you proved me wrong. I officially declare Lydia the winner of this year's science competition!"

The crowd erupted in cheers.

Henry, who was about to walk up and pull Lydia off the stage earlier, paused, stunned.

So she actually managed to create something this impressive?

Thinking back to how he just tossed that thing aside not long ago, he felt a twinge of regret.

Lydia stood there, dazed by the thunderous applause.

It took her a moment to process everything. Her mouth opened just a bit, and then-tears started falling without her even realizing.

"Did I... actually do it? I really did it! Ten whole years of hard work, all finally paying off. So this is what recognition feels like-it's amazing." She thought to herself.

Lydia was so happy she almost jumped up in excitement.

This was her moment. Just hers.

Charles walked up to the stage and personally handed her the award.At that moment, Charles finally realized that Lydia was the same girl he'd seen at the hospital the day before.

Looking at this kind-hearted and talented young woman, he couldn't help but grow more fond of her with every passing second.

He sighed sincerely, "Kid, you're amazing. Your parents must've been so proud of you."

Lydia's eyes welled up at the mention of her late parents.

-Thank you.

Even though he probably didn't get what she was truly feeling, Lydia still wanted to express her gratitude.

As Charles kept singing Lydia's praises, Clara's face darkened with jealousy and panic started creeping up on her.

What was going on with her dad? He literally just met this girl!

Could he be... recognizing her?!

No way. She had to put a stop to this before things spiraled.

If he somehow found out that Lydia was actually his biological daughter...

Then what happened all those years ago at the orphanage would come out. No more secrets.

Feeling the urgency rise, Clara rushed onto the stage and clung to Charles's arm, whining, "Daddy, okay, the competition's over and it's super crowded here. You're not feeling well, remember? Let's go home."

Charles gave Lydia a few more encouraging words and followed Clara offstage.

As they walked away, Clara shot Lydia a glare sharper than a knife.

That wretched girl. She just wouldn't stay gone.

Clara had actually thought Lydia died in that accident years back.

But no-Lydia had not only survived, she even ended up becoming part of Henry's family.

Clara had already felt uneasy when she ran into Lydia at the Lawsons'.

Who would've thought someone who had vanished for over a decade would suddenly pop up there?

Back then, she didn't dare believe her eyes.

But after seeing Lydia's reaction to that necklace at the hospital yesterday, Clara was sure of it. Lydia was that "Seven" from the orphanage. She hadn't been mistaken.

Good thing Henry clearly wasn't fond of Lydia ever since that car accident.

So Clara figured she still had the upper hand, enough to act all high and mighty in front of her.

But now her dad had only met Lydia once and already thought so highly of her...

No way. She couldn't let this girl stay.

That thought alone made Clara's eyes grow darker, her heart full of brewing malice.

Lydia, meanwhile, found Clara's hostility puzzling, though she didn't dwell on it.

What really caught her off guard was Charles, someone who felt so warm and sincere, was actually Clara's dad?

Somehow, watching the two of them leave, Lydia felt a weird emptiness settle in her chest.

She couldn't explain it, but when she looked at Charles, there was this strange sense of familiarity... almost like home.

And she had no idea why.

After the crowd finally cleared out, Henry looked back toward the stage-and immediately, his face darkened.

Lydia was gone again. Just like that.

...

Holding her robot and trophy, Lydia followed the crowd out of the venue. People kept stopping her to offer congratulations and chat.

It was the first time she'd ever been in the spotlight like this. She looked overwhelmed, nervously nodding and murmuring thanks while hurrying her way through.

Then, as she looked up-there he was.

-Dr. Shaw!

She lit up and practically bounced toward Michael, showing off her trophy with contagious excitement.

-"Look, Dr. Shaw, I did it! I actually won! If it weren't for you, I might not have pulled it off. This trophy... it's kind of ours, right?"

Her face was glowing, cheeks flushed with happiness, like all the joy in the world had landed on her in that moment.

That bright, cheerful energy reminded Michael of someone-someone from long ago who used to beam just like this.

He couldn't help mumbling, "Seven... is that really you?"

Seven?

Lydia blinked, confused.

-"Dr. Shaw, what are you talking about?"

He hesitated for a moment, a little dazed. "Seven, we used to-"

Before he could finish the sentence, a tall, looming figure stepped in behind her.

It was Henry.

His gaze sharp as knives, his presence cold and intense.

He walked up, no questions asked, and yanked Lydia by the wrist, pulling her behind him protectively, almost possessively.

One chilling glance toward Michael, then he dragged her away.

His face was stormy, dangerously calm in that terrifying kind of way.

Lydia knew what that meant. He was absolutely livid.

But his grip? Way too tight. His big hand wrapped firmly around her delicate wrist like a shackle, and she couldn't break free.

She winced but stayed quiet, teeth clenched.

When he finally stopped, she yanked her arm back with all her might.

-"That hurt."

Her eyes were red-rimmed as she signed the words.

"You deserved it," he shot back.

Henry glanced at the angry red mark on her pale wrist, and though his glare loosened a little, it didn't go away.

Thinking about how close she'd just been with that other man made his gut twist with fury.

He grabbed her chin, forcing her head up.

His eyes blazed as he asked through clenched teeth, "Who the hell was that guy?!"

-"Henry, you're getting it all wrong. He's my-"

"Shut up!" he snapped, fury flashing in his eyes. "I'm sick of your pathetic lies!"

He let go of her chin, eyes full of cold disgust. "Lydia, can't wait even a second, huh? The moment I'm out of sight, you're off chasing men?"

Lydia stared up at him, eyes red, shocked beyond words.

-Is that really how you see me?

"A murderer's daughter. What good can come out of that?" Henry laughed mockingly, a hint of red at the corner of his eye.

That sentence hit her like a slap. It felt like something deep inside cracked open with a shattering noise.

Her body stiffened, color draining from her face. Her heart clenched with pain like it was caught in a vice.

Just one sentence from him was enough to crush everything she had tried to hold on to-her dignity, her pride.

Yeah... what was she even indignant about?

At the end of the day, she'd never shake off the label of being "the killer's daughter."

She couldn't stop herself from letting out a dry laugh, lips curling into a bitter smile as silent tears slid down her cheeks.

Before she could think anymore, Henry yanked her by the arm and shoved her into the car.

Lydia knew all too well-there was no way she could go against Henry.

Now that he had dragged her into the car by force, there was only one outcome: being taken away by him without a choice.

Still, she was furious.

Angry that he'd blamed her without even checking facts. Angry that he'd smashed her robot.

But what could she even do to fight back?

She stayed silent, hoping her silence would say what she couldn't.

Quietly, she followed Henry back to the villa without saying a word.

As soon as they got home, Henry shot her a cold glare and ordered, "Come to my room tonight."

And with that, he turned and headed upstairs, leaning on his crutch.

Lydia just stood there, mind blank.

Once it hit her what he said, she turned pale in an instant.

Her first instinct was to say no.

But she couldn't. She didn't dare.

She walked back to her little room alone.

Calling it a servant's room was a stretch-it was way worse than any other servant's quarters in the Lawson house.

Henry had purposely stuck her in the attic's dark storage room, the closest room to his, just to mess with her.

It was always gloomy in there-no sunlight at all. He didn't even let her have a lamp installed.

So every night, all she had was a single candle to light the space.

But strangely, this dingy little nook was the only place in the whole mansion where she felt something close to safe.

Already worn out, Lydia curled up on the bed and quickly drifted off.

She didn't wake again until a loud banging on the door jolted her up. Her mouth was dry and her head heavy as she got up to answer it.

A maid stood outside, looking her up and down with disdain. "You're seriously still sleeping? You could out-sleep a pig."

Lydia was long used to their sneers. She raised her hands and signed a short sentence.

-What is it?

"Mr. Lawson's waiting for you. In his room."

Lydia jolted, suddenly recalling what he'd told her to do.

Stiff as a board, she shuffled to Henry's door, forcing herself to swallow the fear and gave it a soft knock.

"Get in here!" A deep voice boomed from inside, laced with restrained fury.

She flinched, hesitating only a second before she reached out with a shaky hand and pushed the door open.

The room was dim, almost pitch dark. Lydia held her breath and stepped in quietly, as if any louder sound might shatter her.

-Ah!

The door had barely shut behind her when a strong force yanked her forward-hard. She hadn't even processed what was happening before her legs gave out and she crashed onto the bed.

"Ha..." a mocking chuckle brushed past her ear.

She looked up, startled, and saw Henry in the shadows, eyes dark and cold like a predator lurking just out of reach.

The air around her felt suddenly heavy, like it had thickened into iron. Her chest tightened-she could barely breathe.

"I told you to come here tonight. What were you stalling for?"

Henry's voice was low, biting with anger and pain, his words squeezing through clenched teeth. "Or is this your thing now? Showing up late just to tease me? Huh?"

As he spoke, he grabbed her chin roughly, pulling her face up to look at him.

-I didn't mean to, I swear I just fell asleep. Henry, I'm sorry, I really didn't mean to be late...

Lydia's heart was pierced by his words, but she forced herself to explain, trying to hold back the panic.

"You always have an excuse ready, don't you?"

He sneered, voice thick with disdain. "Lydia, stop pretending you're some angel. Do you even remember who you are? A murderer's daughter. Don't stand there acting all innocent-it's disgusting."

-Henry...

Her lips parted, but no sound came out. Even her hands, always quick to form signs, froze.

She slowly shut her eyes, pain tightening her expression. He was right-at least in his mind. She was just the daughter of a killer.

No matter what she did, how hard she tried, it would never be enough. In his eyes, she'd always be guilty.

So what was even the point in trying?

Her hands gradually dropped to her sides. She didn't say another word, eyes lowered, letting his insults hit her like rain on glass.

"Oh, what? Now you look hurt?" His tone turned sharper. "Did I lie about anything?"

But her silence only fueled Henry's rage, as if her quiet resistance pushed him further off the edge.

His hand slid down from her delicate, pale face, stopping at her chest.

"You know, you're already twenty, yet you've never even been with a man. No wonder you're so desperate. Since you're dying for it, I'll 'help' you out."

As soon as he spoke, he yanked her top and tore it apart.

-No! Henry, please don't! It's not like that! I beg you, don't do this...

Lydia froze in shock, panic flooding her entire system as she struggled wildly. Her tears spilled like a broken faucet, but none of it stopped Henry.

"Cut the act. You love throwing yourself at men, don't you? You should be thankful it's me."

His bloodshot eyes glinted with a mix of anger and madness as he lunged toward her like a beast.

Pressing his lips against her trembling ones, he bit down hard, not bothering to be gentle.

Lydia's eyes widened in fear. Henry's grip, his touch-it all triggered the memory of that night two years ago when she had just turned eighteen. Back then, he was exactly like this-a predator who seemed ready to devour her whole.

Even though he stopped for some unknown reason that night, the horror of it stayed with her. That was the darkest moment of her life.

-No...

She opened her mouth in silence, shaking her head all over the place. She kicked and pushed, but his hold on her was unbreakable.

Hopelessness swallowed her whole. She clenched her eyes shut.

Ten years ago, she lost her family.

It was Henry who took her in, made her believe she could have a new beginning.

All those years, she loved him in silence. But she never figured out why he had to hurt her like this.

Wasn't everything he already did enough?

Suddenly, Henry tasted something salty. He froze, body going rigid.

It was her tears.

The momentary pause gave Lydia a sliver of hope.

-Henry, please... don't...

Her hands trembled as she clasped them together, eyes pleading.

That look, raw despair and resistance, hit Henry the moment he glanced down. Whatever softness had surfaced in his heart vanished in an instant.

His face darkened, and he squeezed her throat viciously.

"Lydia, what's that look for? Scared? Hopeless? It wasn't you who died. You didn't lose your leg. So what the hell makes you think you can break like this? What right do you have to be afraid? You like guys, don't you? Can't handle it now? I'll show you exactly what happens when you go around seducing other men behind my back."