"Does it even matter?" Jennifer's voice dropped to a chilling tone. "His heart was never mine to begin with. Why would he care about my past? That man is nothing but garbage from another life. He won't speak to me like that ever again." Madilyn felt a cold dread wash over her. She knew exactly what Jennifer was implying. "I don't care about the gossip. Your job is to make sure Arthur marries me." Madilyn was lost for words. "Don't think I don't know how you feel about me, Madilyn. I see you plotting against me. But remember this—if I fall, you're going down with me." Jennifer's laugh was sharp and cruel. "We're bound together, you and I. My survival means yours. My destruction will be yours too." Madilyn stood frozen, every word sinking in. She despised everything Jennifer said, but she had no way out.Just you wait, Jennifer. Your day of reckoning will come. As Madilyn opened her mouth to respond, she spotted medical staff rushing down the corridor. "Hurry! Mr. Charles Myers woke up! Go get Dr. Palma right away!" "Hurry up! Get ready for the check-up!" The moment Madilyn heard Charles was waking, her phone tumbled from her numb fingers. The phone call forgotten, she scrambled to pick it up and joined the stream of white coats heading for the room. Charles was awake? After all this time? Could this "Dr. Palma" really work miracles? Every other specialist had written Charles off as beyond hope. Yet now... This has to be some kind of joke! Madilyn laughed bitterly at herself. She pushed through the doorway, her hard look instantly replaced by concerned features. "Arthur!" she called out, her voice filled with manufactured worry. ***** On the bed, Charles had opened his eyes. His gaze was still hazy. He stared at the ceiling, as if trying to find his way back to reality. Arthur stepped forward, took his grandfather's hand, and spoke softly, "Grandpa! You're awake!" Charles heard the voice, and the fog in his eyes slowly cleared. He turned toward the sound and looked at Arthur beside the bed. After a long moment, he rasped, "Arthur..." His voice was rough, barely a whisper. Arthur nodded, choked up but smiling. "Grandpa, it's me. It's Arthur. I'm right here." Arthur was so emotional he could hardly speak. The powerful CEO of Myers Group had tears streaming down his face.Charles stared at him, then his expression shifted. He grew stern at the sight of Arthur's tears. "You're a grown man... what are you... crying for..." Charles' breathing was unsteady, his words broken. Agitated, he started coughing. Blaine entered, and everyone quickly made room. After a quick check, Blaine let out a sigh of relief. "Good. He's made it through. He's stable for now. Don't upset him. Keep him calm." Arthur breathed out heavily at that. His grandfather was awake. Nothing else mattered. But before he could fully relax, Charles asked a question. "Where's Chloe?" That one sudden question froze the room, which had just been filled with relief. Arthur was still riding the high of his grandfather waking up. He'd only had a few seconds of joy when those words hit him, freezing his smile in place. "Grandpa, Chloe... is busy with something..." He tried to brush it off, but the words stuck in his throat. He didn't know how to say it. "That girl... I wonder how she's doing now." Charles' face fell. He looked at Arthur with new sharpness. "Have you treated her well? Or did you bully her again as soon as I was gone? You foolish boy, when will you learn?" Arthur lowered his head. He had no idea how to tell his grandfather about the divorce. Charles had just woken up. For years, he'd protected Chloe. If he found out they were not only divorced, but also that Chloe had moved out of the Myers Manor and cut ties—and even Robert had changed his last name—Arthur had no idea how he would react. He couldn't risk it. Not now. Not when any upset could push Charles over the edge. If Charles slipped away again, there might not be another chance. Blaine had warned him: even if he woke up, his body was too damaged. A year, maybe less, was all they could hope for. "Grandpa, I—" "You're finally awake."