Danna, distressed by her granddaughter's plight, shielded her from the mounting trouble.

Yet, they had underestimated Gerard's resolve. "Take her out," Gerard ordered, his voice as cold as ice.

In the blink of an eye, men in black suits emerged from the shadows, seized Karol, and took her away. Despite Danna's frantic scolding and curses, they remained impervious to her pleas.

"Miss Morris, my patience has its limits." Gerard's voice was icy as he drew a gun from his waist and leveled it at Karol's temple.

Karol's body went rigid as she instinctively flinched, but her attempt to escape was futile. The muzzle of the gun was stained with what appeared to be blood, and just a glance at it was enough to instill a deep fear in anyone.

"I don't know. I don't know..." Karol's voice quivered with panic. Overcome with terror, she collapsed to the floor, covering her ears and squeezing her eyes shut, unwilling to see or hear anything.

"I'LL count to three," Gerard declared coldly, his eyes brimming with malevolence. "If you don't tell me, I'll put an end to you myself."

Terrified, Karol lifted her head with trembling resolve and stammered, "My father is still here. You wouldn't dare kill me, would you? Why would you do that?"

"Do you believe I need a reason to end your life?" Gerard's tone was icy as he started counting down. "Three."

Karol's face drained of all the color.

"Dad! Dad, save me! Grandma, please!"

She was on the brink of losing control, almost wetting herself.

"Two." Gerard's face stayed emotionless, just as heartless as ever. "One."

Gerard let out a low, mocking laugh. "You really think I won't go through with this, don't you?"

While speaking, he pressed the gun firmly against her forehead. Helpless, Karol let out a desperate, piercing scream.

"A strange man... I don't know him. He took Lilah and Miranda!"

"Dr. Hanson was involved too?" Gerard finally realized what had caused all this.

Karol kept shaking. "Lilah went there to save her sister, Miranda..."

"What?" Absolon suddenly showed up at the door. "Her sister?"

Karol's eyes widened as she was completely at a loss.

Now that Gerard knew who was behind it, he lowered his gun and said icily, "I'll settle the score with you once I rescue them. Oh, and Mr. Morris, you probably didn't know Lilah has a sister, a real one."

With a faint smirk, Gerard gestured toward Karol and added, "She knows all the details. You can ask her yourself."

Meanwhile, in a quiet neighborhood on the outskirts... Darian sat back, pleased with himself, taking in the scene.

The two women who had once shamed him and broken his spirit were now helpless, squirming at his feet.