A moment before, Christopher’s car pulled into the Layton residence just as the night settled, casting the courtyard in a serene quiet under the moonlight. The headlights traced long shadows on the ground. He stepped out, holding an elegantly wrapped box of medicine, his walk poised yet tinged with a chill. In the study, Gavin stood by the window, his eyes coldly tracking Christopher as he approached. His brow furrowed slightly, a sense of unease brewing within. “What are you doing here?” Gavin asked as Christopher entered, his tone laced with undisguised hostility. Christopher didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he placed the gift box casually on the desk and sat down gracefully, tapping his fingers lightly on the surface, his expression indifferent yet amused. “Heard Adeline was hurt; brought some medicine over.” Gavin scoffed, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Since when do you care so much about her? Don’t tell me you’ve suddenly grown a conscience.” Christopher looked up, meeting Gavin’s stare with a slight smirk. “What? Can’t a guy check on an old friend without stepping on your toes?” “An old friend?” Gavin snorted, stepping toward the desk with a piercing gaze. “Don’t forget, she’s part of the Layton family now. Your concern seems a bit excessive, doesn’t it?” The tension in the air thickened, the standoff casting the study into a heavy silence. “Excessive?” Christopher raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair with a nonchalant air. “If I remember correctly, it was your Layton family who sent her to prison. Now she’s back, and you’re playing the big brother.” Gavin’s face darkened instantly, his fists tightening audibly, yet he found no words to counter. “Enough!” he growled through clenched teeth. “The past is the past. She’s back, and that’s what counts. You’d better stay out of our family business!” Christopher chuckled softly, his laugh carrying a hint of mockery and threat. “The past? You think she can just forget what happened? Or maybe you’ve forgotten?” The atmosphere snapped tight between them. Gavin stared hard at Christopher, his eyes a turbulent mix of emotions, quickly suppressed. “What are you trying to say?” he asked, voice deep. “Nothing much,” Christopher stood, pushing the box toward Gavin. “Just a reminder, some debts have to be paid eventually.” With that, he turned and left, leaving a chilling remark behind, “Send my regards to Adeline; hope she takes good care of herself.” The study door slammed shut, and Gavin stood seething, his chest heaving. He stared at the box on the desk, his eyes stormy. In her room, Adeline was silently treating her wounds. Eden stood by, gently wiping the medicine on her arm, her eyes filled with sympathy and anger. “Ms. Layton, they’ve crossed the line!” Eden couldn’t help but complain. “They know you’re hurt and still question you like that!” Adeline didn’t respond, just looked down at her bandaged arm. A cynical smile touched her lips. “You get used to it.” Eden’s eyes welled up at those words. She pressed the cotton swab a bit harder, torn between care and frustration. “Don’t be angry,” Adeline said quietly. “They’re not worth it.” Eden looked up at Adeline’s cool, defiant face, lost for words. She knew the seemingly aloof and strong woman was already deeply scarred. Just then, a knock broke the room’s silence. Eden hurried to open the door, only to find Leroy standing there with a small bottle of medicine, his expression stern and serious. “This is for Ms. Layton’s treatment,” Leroy handed the bottle to Eden, his eyes briefly meeting Adeline’s before quickly looking away. That brief exchange was tense and silent. Leroy turned and left, his figure tall and solitary. After closing the door, Eden handed the bottle to Adeline, whispering, “This is from Mr. Leroy, sent by Mr. Conor and him.” Adeline frowned slightly, examining the bottle before scoffing dismissively. “They sure are thoughtful, but I don’t need this.” “But Ms. Layton…” Eden hesitated, only to see Adeline place the bottle aside, giving it no second glance. As the night deepened, a pervasive unease lingered over the Layton residence. In the study, Gavin sat with his head in his hands, the other clutching the medicine bottle. His mind replayed that rainy night three years ago… The person pushed down the stairs, bloodied and broken, was his sister, whose life he had destroyed. He had thought time could erase everything, but seeing Adeline’s cold, hopeless eyes, he realized some sins are forever irredeemable. Suddenly, he stood up and hurled the bottle against the wall. “Damn it!” he roared, his voice rough and desperate, like a dying animal’s last growl. At his breaking point, a gentle voice came from outside, “Gavin, what’s wrong?” Michelle pushed the door open, wearing a white nightgown, and looking pitiful. “Is it because of Adeline? If it’s my fault, I’m willing to apologize…” “Shut up!” Gavin cut her off sharply, his icy gaze piercing. “Stop playing the victim! You remember what happened, don’t you?” Michelle paled, stepping back, then quickly resumed her frail façade. “Gavin, I really didn’t hurt Adeline… I just…” “No need to explain,” Gavin said coldly. “Stay away from her, or else.” At that moment, he dropped all pretenses, showing his true disdain for his so-called sister. Michelle clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms, yet still maintaining her pitiful demeanor. Meanwhile, Christopher settled back into his car, resting his head against the seat, Adeline’s defiant face haunting his thoughts. “Three years… You really have changed,” he murmured, his voice laden with complex emotions. His phone lit up with a message from Leroy, “Mission accomplished, but she refused.” Christopher stared at the screen, then slowly smiled. “Good, that’s more like it, isn’t it?” Elsewhere, Adeline sat by her window, staring into the dark night sky. Moonlight illuminated her pale, delicate face, adding a haunting beauty to her solitude. “Three years… time flies,” she murmured, her voice as light as a breeze, quickly fading into the night. Yet, the way her fingers whitened as she gripped the window sill betrayed the turmoil of resentment and hatred churning within her. Just then, hurried footsteps echoed up the staircase…