At the villa, India was crying her eyes out.

When she saw Carys and Jane return, she wiped her tears and said, “Madam, Tristan barged into the Young Master’s room with a doctor and drew a huge tube of blood from him.”

“Where is he?”

“Still in the room.”

Jane clutched her chest and rushed toward the stairs in a panic. Her high heel twisted, spraining her ankle. Carys quickly supported her.

“Thank you.” Jane’s voice was tight and choked.

When they reached the corridor, they saw the master bedroom door open.

A young man wearing gold rimmed glasses stood there, his narrow eyes sharp. His hair was combed meticulously, and everything on him was expensive. He smiled as he looked at them. When his gaze swept over Carys’s face, there was a hint of cold malice in it.

“So this is the country bumpkin? Someone as favored as Evren can only match with a village woman now.”

“Tristan, what exactly are you trying to do?” Jane asked coldly.

Tristan sounded pleased with himself.

“I came under Grandpa’s orders to bring a doctor to examine Evren. Second Aunt, what are you misunderstanding?”

“Now that the examination is over, please leave.”

“Don’t talk to me like that. Our First Branch has spent all these years searching for Dr. Mercerrow for Grandpa. We naturally have more clues than you.”

Old Master Arledge had suffered a serious injury in his youth. Every winter, the joints in his limbs would hurt unbearably. He had visited many major hospitals, but none could cure him. His only hope was Gideon.

Seeing Jane’s ugly expression, Tristan finally looked satisfied and smiled smugly.

“I’ll be leaving then.”

Tristan left in high spirits, the gloom of being suppressed by Evren for years completely swept away.

How could a cripple be worthy of becoming the next heir of the Arledge Family?

Jane bit her lip tightly as she watched them leave. The moment she moved her foot, piercing pain shot through her.

“Let me check your injury.”

Carys helped her sit in the corridor. Her slender, nimble fingers pressed against Jane’s ankle.

“Fortunately, the bone isn’t injured.”

No one knew exactly what she did. She only twisted it a few times with some force, and Jane was able to put her foot on the ground and walk.

Jane looked at the tightly shut door with tears in her eyes, then turned her gaze to Carys.

“He... Carys, can I ask you to take care of Evren for me? My foot is fine. He’s what matters.”

No one knew a son better than his mother.

After Tristan’s disturbance, who knew what state the room was in?

Evren was so proud. He definitely would not want his loved ones to see him humiliated.

Carys was clever and understood immediately.

She nodded solemnly.

“I’ll go in. India, please help Madam go rest.”

“All right.”

Once they left, Carys opened the door.

The room was a mess. Things were scattered all over the floor.

The man leaned against the edge of the bed, his side profile noble and unmatched. His clothes were disheveled and stained with blood. Hearing movement, he slowly turned his head.

That glance was like the sharpest blade in the world, making Carys’s back turn cold.

“Your mother asked me to clean up for you.”

Carys bent down and picked up the pillows, documents, and water cup from the floor, placing them back one by one.

The man’s low voice sounded behind her.

“Are you here to clean the room, or to clean me up?”

He had deliberately smashed those things himself. What was there to clean?

Otherwise, how would Tristan believe that he had suffered a mental collapse and could not recover?

Carys abruptly looked up, only to see his displeased face as he beckoned to her.

“I need to change clothes.”

“...Okay.”

Carys took a set of pure white cotton loungewear from the walk in closet. When she walked over to Evren, he had already spread his arms as if it were only natural.

She unbuttoned his shirt and took it off.

His body, covered in lean muscle, was exposed before her. His pale skin was almost dazzling, and her heart raced wildly.

She quickly helped him put on the top, but when she held the pants, her thoughts became tangled.

“Weren’t you very bold when you took off my pants? Why pretend to be innocent and shy now?”

His lips were very pale, almost bloodless, yet his words were cutting.

Carys froze for a moment, then gritted her teeth and viciously pulled down his pants, inch by inch.

So pale.

So firm.

Those long, powerful legs would definitely be perfect for farm work.

Evren leaned against the bed with his eyes tightly closed, looking as if he had simply given up.

Her cool, soft fingers occasionally brushed against his skin, stirring waves of shivers through him.

“Give me your hand.”

Carys wrung out a towel and wiped the bloodstains from his arm. The puncture mark was obvious, and the skin around it had turned bruised. They had drawn that much blood on purpose.

Evren’s dark gaze swept over the side of her face. He suddenly turned his hand and gripped her wrist with controlled force.

With one pull, Carys fell onto the wide bed.

Before she could get up, his upper body pressed down over her. His hot breath brushed across her cheek, and his low voice sounded near her ear.

“What benefits did Tristan give you?”

Carys’s chin was pinched between his fingers. She was forced to tilt her neck and look at him, mist gathering in her clear almond eyes.

“I don’t know him.”

So he did not believe her.

Everything before had just been him playing with her.

Only now did this proud and steady noble young master finally reveal his decisive, ruthless claws.

His right hand pressed against her soft waist, his fingertips sinking into the dip there.

Then his cool voice carried a barely noticeable hint of shamelessness.

“Do you know what methods were used to interrogate female spies in the past?”

She knew!

Either way, she would not escape being tortured and thoroughly tormented.

Carys twisted her body, trying to break free.

“You took my pants off twice. It isn’t too much for me to take yours off once, right?”

As he spoke, his fingers touched the side of her leg.

Carys was so angry her eyes turned red. She fiercely pinched the Jianjing point on his shoulder. Evren’s arm went numb, and he loosened his grip.

She seized the chance to roll off the bed, clutching her pants as she looked at him warily.

Anger.

Resentment.

“You... even if you strip me bare, you... you still can’t do anything!”

Her words came out recklessly, carrying a sob. There were still pressure marks on her cheek. Carys pushed the door open and ran out, returning to her own room in shame and fury.

Only then did the two women hiding around the corner of the corridor come out.

“Her buttons are loose.”

“Her hair is messy.”

“Her face is red. Did the Young Master kiss her?”

India gave a thumbs up and whispered in praise, “Madam, your move was brilliant. You had the Young Madam go take care of the Young Master.”

A little suffering tactic, a little pity, and feelings would naturally grow.

Jane glanced sideways at her.

“Nothing special. I know my son. He would never truly suffer a loss at Tristan’s hands unless he did it on purpose.”

Since childhood, when had Tristan ever truly gotten the upper hand against him?

“The Young Master is smart, just like you.”

Inside the room.

Evren rubbed his fingertips again and again.

Soft.

It felt like cotton candy.

He lowered his head and glanced down.

What did she mean, he could not do anything?

If he had really used his methods, would she have been able to turn over and escape?

Buzz, buzz.

The phone on the bedside table vibrated several times.

Luc was very efficient. He had compiled Carys’s life experiences from childhood to adulthood into a detailed file and sent it over.

Evren opened the investigation report casually.

Then his fingers stilled, and astonishment flashed through his eyes.

The next day.

Jane personally selected expensive gifts, including premium tea and candies. In her mind, the Norwood Family had at least done one good thing.

"Carys, you've suffered. Evren's condition can't handle the trip, so you'll have to return to your family alone."

She held Carys's hand apologetically.

Wearing a light green dress, Carys nodded slightly.

Out of the corner of her eye, she looked toward the second floor of the small villa.

The two of them had parted on bad terms yesterday.

Naturally, she had failed to obtain Evren's Project Transfer Agreement. It seemed she would have to find another way to bring Grandma back.

"Then I'll be going."

"Travel safely."

Jane stepped back and watched as Carys got into the car and drove away.

Sitting inside the vehicle, Carys let her hand rest at her side. Hidden in the folds of her sleeve was a silver needle, pinned so discreetly it looked like nothing more than part of the fabric.

This trip would be a battle of wits.

If it came to it...

She would tear all pretense apart.

The car arrived at the Norwood residence.

Not even a single servant waited outside to greet her.

Carys walked into the living room.

The laughter and conversation inside stopped immediately.

"Carys."

Diana hurried over with an enthusiastic smile.

"You're finally back. Didn't Evren come with you?"

Odessa sat arrogantly on the sofa, chin raised as she sneered.

"Who would want to be seen with her? Even Evren would be embarrassed. Of course he wouldn't accompany her back."

"Odessa."

Malcolm lowered the newspaper in his hands and spoke sternly.

"Don't speak like that."

Odessa merely shrugged without the slightest fear.

"Carys, have some tea."

Malcolm assumed the tone of a caring elder.

"Sisters should support each other. You'll soon become sisters-in-law, so you should be even closer. I've spoiled Odessa too much. Please be understanding."

"Exactly. You're practically real sisters."

Diana smiled as she carefully probed,

"Carys, has the Second Branch of the Arledge Family found any news about Dr. Mercerrow? If they have, don't forget to tell me."

She had never given Malcolm a son despite years of trying.

Doctors had all declared her condition untreatable.

Rumor said Dr. Mercerrow possessed a unique therapeutic regimen with extraordinary results.

Looking at their disgusting performance, Carys mocked,

"What? Are you sick too?"

"How rude!"

Diana's face darkened.

She slapped Carys across the face.

A bright red handprint appeared on Carys's fair cheek.

She stared directly at Diana, her heart filling with injustice and overwhelming grief.

This...

This was her own mother.

"I told you she only responds to force."

Odessa laughed coldly.

"But you and Dad insisted on trying kindness first."

Turning toward Carys, she ordered,

"Hand over the Project Transfer Agreement."

"Where's Grandma?"

Carys shouted.

"I'll hand it over after I see her."

"You didn't actually get it, did you?"

Odessa sneered.

"Then today is going to be very unpleasant for you. What are you waiting for? Hold her down and search her!"

"Get away from me!"

With practiced ease, Carys drew out a silver needle and inserted it into an acupoint on Odessa's arm.

"Ah!"

Odessa screamed miserably.

Her body froze under Carys's control.

"Carys, let your sister go!"

Diana cried out in panic.

"Don't hurt Odessa!"

In Diana's eyes...

Only Odessa mattered.

Frost covered Carys's beautiful face.

"I want to see Grandma."

"Carys!"

Hurried footsteps sounded from the staircase.

"How did that old woman get out?"

A frail elderly woman with silver hair stumbled downstairs, panting.

Diana immediately grabbed her arm.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"Grandma!"

Seeing the pale color of the old woman's face, Carys's eyes reddened.

She clearly had not rested well at the Norwood residence.

She looked far more haggard.

"I'm fine... don't cry."

Grandma Qiao's old voice trembled with tears.

"Diana... she's your biological daughter."

She pleaded,

"Please don't force her. That child has suffered enough since she was little."

How had Diana become like this?

"The moment she hands over the document, I'll let go."

Diana tightened her grip viciously around the elderly woman's arm.

Seeing that, Carys inserted another needle into Odessa's Jianjing acupoint.

Half of Odessa's body immediately went numb.

"Help me! Help me!"

She cried out in terror.

Carys spoke slowly and clearly.

"Let us leave."

The room fell into a deadlock.

The tension stretched so tightly it felt ready to snap.

At that moment, Malcolm finally stood.

Disdain filled his face.

"Young people... you're still too inexperienced when it comes to being ruthless."

Whoever lost their composure first...

Lost.

Grabbing Grandma Qiao by the head, he slammed it toward the wall.

Bang!

Her forehead struck hard enough to bruise instantly.

She could barely make a sound.

Carys's eyes widened in horror.

Her heart felt as though it were being torn apart.

"No!"

"Hand over the document, and we'll release her."

Malcolm's expression was unwavering.

"Don't try any tricks. I'm not someone you can fool."

Odessa had to marry Tristan.

Just then...

Noise erupted outside.

A security guard rushed inside.

"Sir! Evren Arledge is here!"

Evren?

Malcolm released Grandma Qiao and calmly straightened his clothes.

"It won't change anything."

He snorted.

"He's just a cripple the Arledge Family is about to abandon."

The guard looked terrified.

"He brought over a hundred men! Every one of them looks fierce."

The moment those words fell...

Large men in suits and sunglasses poured into the villa.

They quickly filled the entire living room.

Their overwhelming presence alone was intimidating.

At the center sat a man in a wheelchair.

His pale, sharply defined face carried effortless arrogance and confidence.

Some people...

Even after losing the use of their legs...

Still shone like the moon in the sky.

Elegant.

Untouchable.

Odessa stared at him in a daze.

That man...

Should have been hers.

"Evren, what are you doing?"

Malcolm finally panicked upon seeing so many people.

"I can call the police."

Evren's indifferent gaze swept across the room before settling on the pitiful Carys.

Where was the fierce woman who had yanked off his pants?

He spoke calmly.

"I came to take my wife home."

His thin lips curved slightly.

"Is there a problem?"

The imposing bodyguards pushed Diana and Odessa aside before escorting Carys and Grandma Qiao over.

The moment Carys saw him...

Her tears rolled down uncontrollably.

"They hit Grandma."

Her voice trembled.

"We need to go to the hospital."

She had already examined the injury.

It was not serious.

The greater concern was the old illnesses accumulated over many years.

"Let's go."

His voice remained steady.

Carys helped Grandma Qiao into the car.

The driver pushed Evren's wheelchair behind them.

Before leaving, he turned toward the Norwood Family and warned,

"I haven't been removed from the Arledge Family yet."

"It's not your place to behave however you like."

Malcolm trembled with rage.

He would wait and see how long the Second Branch could continue acting so arrogantly.

The group left the Norwood residence.

Outside the neighborhood, the bodyguards lined up and boarded a waiting coach bus.

Curious, Carys looked at Evren.

She could not understand.

The Second Branch actually had enough money to keep so many disciplined bodyguards?

They even had transportation waiting.

Was this the source of Evren's confidence?

"Those people..."

She hesitated.

The elegant man turned toward her and answered casually,

"Temporary actors."