“Is Grandma okay? She’s fine, isn’t she?” M’s anguished cry tore through the air. Her heart shattered


    into a’million pieces, drowning in a sea of grief as her legs buckled beneath her.


    Phoebe swiftly followed suit, enfolding her in a tight embrace as they knelt together on the ground, their


    bodies intertwined in sorrow.


    M’s cries reverberated, her entire being trembling with despair. She felt utterly powerless to witness


    Loretta’s demise before her eyes and unable to intervene.


    From her earliest memories to this very moment, Loretta had been the beacon of love and warmth in


    M’s life, and now she had vanished, leaving behind only emptiness. Not even a trace remained.


    M clutched at her shirt, twisting the fabric into knots over her chest, as if trying to contain the anguish


    threatening to consume her. But the pain pierced through her, each breath growing shallower, each


    heartbeat echoing her grief.


    With the regret of never having the chance to meet Loretta for the onest time, M sumbed to


    unconsciousness in Phoebe’s embrace.


    When M awoke, dawn had already broken.


    Phoebe sat by her bedside throughout the night. Sensing M stir, Phoebe gently caressed her


    forehead, her voice soft as she inquired, “M, you’re awake. Are you feeling alright? Would you like


    some water?”


    M’s gaze remained fixed on the ceiling, her face etched with sorrow, though her tears had ceased.


    Phoebe continued, “M, Mr. Morrison came to see youst night. He was here again this morning, but


    he just left.”


    M turned her head slowly, her eyes glistening with moisture, her voice hoarse as she asked, “Did he


    say anything?”


    “He said that Oliver has been dered an international fugitive,” Phoebe replied.


    M closed her eyes in silent acknowledgment.


    Phoebe sighed softly, “M, don’t me Mr. Morrison for not staying with you. He has his troubles to


    deal with.”


    M shook her head, absolving him of any me.


    Despite Nathan’s decision to distance himself, he had visited her twice since Loretta’s


    ident, a testament to his feelings and enduring concern for her.


    Observing M’s gesture, Phoebe continued, “ording to Cole, the prison van carrying


    Lucas was ambushed yesterday afternoon. There was a fierce gunfight and explosion on the highway.


    Lucas was rescued and two police officers lost their lives.”


    M took a deep breath, her fury palpable. “They’re heartless beasts.”


    Phoebe’s expression darkened. “M, there’s something else.”


    + IB BONUS


    M turned to


    her, her


    aze intense. “What is it?”


    Phoebe spoke solemnly,


    when you woke up.”


    After you fainted, Oliver called you. He asked you to call him back


    M’s countenance darkened, her eyes sharp as she sat up. She leaned against the headboard and


    extended her hand toward Phoebe.


    After retrieving her phone, Phoebe scrolled through the call history, dialed Oliver’s number, and ced


    the phone in M’s hand.


    Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    M held the phone and activated the loudspeaker of the phone.


    After a short while, Oliver’s voice crackled through, “Chubs, are you okay?”


    Even amidst the static, M’s desire to dismantle Oliver surged fiercely.


    Suppressing her tears, M clenched her teeth, her words sharp as daggers. “Grandpa and Grandma


    raised you for decades, provided you with the finest life, and in return, you took their lives.


    “Calling you an ingrate would be an affront. You’re not even worthy of being called a beast; you


    despicable mongrel!”


    Oliver chuckled, unfazed by her venom. “First time venting your spleen, huh? Didn’t expect you’d enjoy


    it so much.”


    M contained her fury, her indignation simmering. “Where are my family members?”


    “They’re safe, for now,” Oliver retorted with icyposure.


    “Let them go, and I’ll grant your every wish, even my own life,” M demanded.


    Oliver smirked sardonically, “Ah, M, the brilliant chemist! Your life is too precious. But too bad, I can’t


    release your family.


    “Your expertise lies in chemistry. If I were to bring you to headquarters for research and you


    identally kill us all, we wouldn’t even know our cause of death.”


    “What exactly do you want?” M pressed, her tone unwavering.


    “I dispatched Loretta as a warning to you all,” Oliver elucidated.


    “Nathan intervened and stopped the asset transfer of the Hoffis family. With the funds now immobilized,


    I’m left empty–handed.”