Edric stepped out of the room and quickly noticed Emma positioned at the top of the stairs. He made his way directly to her. "Emma." Upon seeing him, she pointed downstairs and anxiously inquired, "Edric, what's happening? When did Malrik regain consciousness? How... how did he end up in this condition again? Has the doctor seen him?" She launched into a series of questions all at once, still reeling from the shock. He looked at Marcus and Malrik, who appeared to be the picture of a loving father and son, then spoke gently to clarify. "Malrik woke up an hour ago. The moment he opened his eyes, he started calling for his daddy." "I already had the doctor from Aurelia examine him." He hesitated at this point, his tone reflecting a touch of helplessness. "The doctor indicated that Malrik had been given far too many holy medicines previously; his body can't manage that level of power at all. In addition, the Enchanter Clan administered an Enchanter's Aphrodisiac to him. The two forces inside him clashed and likely caused hallucinations, resulting in his mind being somewhat unstable right now…" "Unstable?" she questioned. She thought, So essentially… he's lost his mind? She felt a sudden drop in her heart, as if something had seized it and twisted painfully. She turned to gaze downstairs at the man beaming joyfully with Marcus. Her heart ached for him. "Then… can he still be treated?" she asked quietly, her voice betraying a slight tremor. He noticed her concern as she observed Malrik and softened his tone. "The doctor is currently formulating a prescription. He is not yet certain how effective it will be. He mentioned we need to try the medication first and observe the results." No sooner had he completed his statement than Marcus suddenly looked up toward them. The moment he spotted Emma, it was as though he had discovered his last ray of hope. "Ms. Tibarn!" He abruptly pushed Malrik away and dashed up to the landing, nearly leaping the steps. He fixed his gaze on her with a hurt, pleading expression. "Ms. Tibarn, help me. Malrik is going to be the death of me." Malrik also caught sight of her standing on the stairs. Instantly, his face lit up with joy. Then Malrik rushed over to Emma. "Ms. Tibarn!" The second he laid eyes on her, his expression and tone were completely clear, devoid of any confusion—no sign of instability whatsoever. Edric and Marcus exchanged worried frowns at Malrik's reaction to her. They thought, So he snaps back to normal the moment he sees her? Malrik sprinted towards her, and the clarity in his gaze vanished the instant he noticed Marcus leaning against her. He yanked Marcus' arm aside with considerable force. "Daddy!" He glowered at Marcus, seething with anger. "Ms. Tibarn is mine! How can you be leaning on her?" Marcus felt a throbbing pain at that loud, echoing daddy. He glared at Malrik's utterly self-satisfied expression, his face turning almost green from anger. His fists were clenched so tightly that his knuckles popped. A palpable sense of rage emanated from him. "Marcus!" she shouted. She sensed the violent aura radiating from him and feared he might actually harm Malrik. She quickly grasped his hand, speaking gently to soothe him. "Marcus, just breathe. Malrik isn't himself right now. Let's try not to hold this against him." Marcus glanced at Emma, and as the memory of all those fruits he had to consume came flooding back, his eyes filled with tears of pure indignation. "Ms. Tibarn, he's definitely doing this on purpose. Just let me take a swing at him. I promise I'll knock some sense into his head." If he didn't maul Malrik today, he felt he'd no longer deserve the name Marcus. Emma had no intention of allowing him to actually strike. She quickly enveloped him in a hug. "I know you feel wronged. I'll handle this for you. I'll ensure he never gives you those fruits again." Malrik seemed to notice Marcus' fury. He immediately turned around and scampered back to the kitchen. A moment later, he dashed back out, holding a perfectly round fruit in his hands. He cautiously presented it to Marcus. "Daddy, please don't be upset." Malrik's voice was soft and syrupy, clearly attempting to placate him. "Malrik chose a fruit for you," he declared. Marcus looked at him and the fruit he was holding as if they were his greatest adversaries. He thought, I have no desire for fruit! The only thing I wish for… is to devour Malrik whole! "Ms. Tibarn, don't restrain me. I have to take him down today." He ground his words out through clenched teeth, his gaze fixed on Malrik. At that instant, the manor's guard captain rushed in from outside. "Ms. Tibarn." He quickly approached her and reported with utmost respect, "Ms. Yates of the Enchanter Clan has arrived with several of her elders. They're currently outside the manor and wish to see you." Celia? Emma's lips curved into a cold smirk. She thought, I haven't even gone to the Enchanter Clan to deal with the issue yet, and now Celia shows up at my doorstep. "Who is Celia?" Malrik inquired, tilting his head in confusion at the unfamiliar name. He thought, The name sounds familiar. It sparks an unpleasant sense of recognition. Yet, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't recall where he had heard it before. Marcus was already simmering with frustration, with nowhere to vent it. When he heard Malrik's question, he let out a derisive laugh and replied, "Celia is your biological mom."