As Linara entered the ward, her first instinct wasn't to look at Bryan but to acknowledge Melody. "Mrs. Hall." Melody barely glanced her way, her response clipped and indifferent. "You're here." The coldness in her tone made Linara sad and awkward. Just two months ago, Melody had been effusive and welcoming whenever she visited. Now, this icy reception made her feel unwelcome. Was this the reality of being an outsider in their family? "Yes. I came to check on Bryan," Linara said. With that, she stepped closer to the hospital bed, her expression softening into one of worry and concern. Bryan couldn't help but feel comforted. The pain that wracked his body seemed to dull under her gentle eyes. "Bryan, I never imagined she would be so... so cruel to you," she said as tears welled up in her eyes. Melody bristled with anger. "Who? Who dared to hurt my son?" Linara looked apologetic as she said, "Mrs. Hall, I came today to apologize, both to you and Bryan, on behalf of my sister. She acted recklessly, and it was wrong. If you need to vent your anger, please direct it at me. I'll take responsibility for her actions." Sensing his mother's mounting anger, Bryan hurried to interject. "Mom, Linara had nothing to do with this. She's as much a victim as I am." Melody glared at Linara before turning back to her son. "Tell me the truth, Bryan. Was it that wild girl from the Whitewood family? Did she lay a hand on you?" Bryan froze. His pride wrestled with the truth. How could he admit that a young girl had bested him, a national-level boxing champion? The shame was unbearable. Initially, he intended to make up an excuse for his mother. Yet, Linara had already implied as much, and if he denied it now, wouldn't Linara think he had been lying to her all along? "Why aren't you answering?" Melody pressed impatiently. Finally, Bryan nodded. "It was her." Hearing Bryan admit it, Linara had feelings. She was pleased that Seraphina had offended the Hall Family, but at the same time, she was astonished by Seraphina's strength. Melody's face turned a furious shade of red. Linara took a step closer and spoke in a voice that was tinged with guilt. "Mrs. Hall, I truly am sorry. This is all my fault. I should have kept a closer eye on her. If I had, none of this would have happened." Melody glared at her fiercely, her eyes sharp with disapproval. Yet, as she caught sight of the redness around Linara's eyes, the evident worry glimmering in her gaze for her son, and the sincerity in her apologetic demeanor, she sighed silently. How far the mighty have fallen, she thought. Once a proud and dignified young lady, she was now reduced to bowing and scraping for the sake of such an unrefined, ill-mannered creature. The Whitewood Family didn't cherish treasure but trash instead. Melody's gaze softened significantly. "This has nothing to do with you, Linara. You don't need to apologize for someone else's behavior. If anyone should apologize, it's that wild child." Melody then turned around and went out of the ward. She pulled out her phone and dialed her husband's number. "Honey, our son's been beaten up. You need to come here immediately. It was that uncultured brat the Whitewood Family recently brought back. I don't care what it takes, but you must get justice for our son. You should see how badly she's hurt him." Meanwhile, Linara, who had been chatting quietly with Bryan, perked up her ears. She caught snippets of the conversation outside, but it was already enough. Seraphina, let's see how you deal with this mess, she thought smugly. At the same time, Evelyn sat beside Seraphina in Jason's car. They were headed toward Heartlake Island. "Oliver, is my uncle at home?" Evelyn asked. "Mr. Drakon is still at the company. He'll be here shortly," Oliver said.