“It’s still there,” Halbert said. “It’s the biggest orphanage in Westbrook. There aren’t many orphanages in the area to begin with, and most of the kids at Starlight Orphanage were abandoned by their parents at a young age. It’s been featured in quite a few business magazines over the years, but at the end of the day, it’s just an orphanage. Why are you so hung up on it?” He could see the intense curiosity in Eliza’s eyes when it came to Matteo. Afraid Halbert might read too much into it, Eliza replied casually, “Oh, it’s nothing. I was just asking.” She might’ve said that, but she still committed the address of Starlight Orphanage to memory. Halbert, watching her closely, quickly figured out what she was thinking. “Don’t be stupid. Matteo has nothing to do with the Patrick family.” Those words made Eliza’s hand freeze.Halbert continued, “Everyone in the Patrick family died back then. There’s no way there were any survivors.” “What makes you so sure?” “The Patrick family massacre was a huge scandal in Westbrook. We even heard about it overseas. Outsiders think it was just a bunch of thieves working together, but people like us—those in the know—could tell right away it was a setup. Someone went after their money and wiped them out. That thief story? Just a smokescreen for the police.” Halbert leaned back on the couch. “But none of that has anything to do with us. Back then, the biggest crime boss was Nathaniel. If he wanted the Patrick family dead, do you really think he’d leave a single witness alive? Let alone raise one under his own roof?” “What if Nathaniel’s a total psycho?” “No one keeps a ticking time bomb by their side for years. And Nathaniel’s treated Victor like his heir this whole time. Is he an idiot? That’d be the dumbest move imaginable.” Eliza thought it over. What Halbert said did make sense. Unless Nathaniel had a death wish, why would he raise his own enemy like a son? “Thanks, I’ll take this stuff and go over it again later.” With that, she gathered the documents. As she started to leave, Halbert called out, “Let’s talk about you for a second.” “What about me?” “The bodyguards told me—you and Nolan are desk mates now.” Eliza raised a hand to her forehead, groaning. Crap. She’d completely forgotten about the two guards stationed nearby. “Halbert, I—” “Nolan switched classes just to be with you, and now you two are back on good terms?” “I…” “Don’t forget what you promised me.”Halbert picked up the coffee cup from the table. “Anyway, my leg’s healed now. When school starts back up the day after tomorrow, I’ll go with you.” “No, wait—” “Out. I need to rest.” Halbert was really settling into his role as her big brother. Eliza had no choice but to leave with the files in her arms, totally speechless. She had zero interest in witnessing a showdown between Halbert and Nolan. As soon as she got back to her apartment, she sent Nolan a message. Eliza sent: "Don’t come to class next Monday." Nolan replied: "Got it." Seeing how obedient Nolan was, Eliza couldn’t help but smile, a small wave of comfort washing over her. If Elaine weren’t in the picture, maybe I really would fall for him. Who wouldn’t want someone who sticks by your side, thinks of no one else, and only listens to you? Meanwhile, at the hospital, Naomi lay face down on the bed, her back too ravaged by whip marks to lie any other way. The doctor walked in, glanced at her chart, then looked at her. “Ms. Naomi, the wound on your cheek has reopened, and there are signs of infection throughout your body. You’re not in any condition to be discharged. You’ll need to stay for observation.” The moment she heard that, Naomi panicked. “Doctor, will my face be okay?” Just yesterday, Nathaniel had slapped her—hard. And that slap had landed right on her injury. Naomi could still feel the burning pain on that side of her face. The sting hadn’t faded even a little. The wound had already reopened and bled yesterday. Things were clearly worse now. The doctor looked apologetic. “I’m very sorry, Ms. Naomi. Given the current condition, your face will almost certainly scar. There’s infection and secondary trauma involved. The odds of full recovery are very low.” “What?” The moment she heard the word scar, Naomi lost it. “I can’t be disfigured! Doctor, please—you have to help me! I can’t be disfigured!” Her voice rose, trembling with panic. The doctor stepped closer. “Ms. Naomi, please calm down. If you get too agitated, you’ll aggravate your wounds. It could make things worse.” That warning shut Naomi up instantly. She clenched her fists, her voice hoarse. “Doctor, I don’t care what you have to do—I cannot be disfigured. Please, help me. Please!”