From the outset, Lilah sensed something was wrong and insisted Gerard be kept under control, not allowed to leave the house.

This worked during the day, but at night, he became frenzied, desperate to find Lillie, as if obsessed with her, sending chills down everyone's spine.

"Is he under mind control too?" Lilah asked Elder Cyrus, who had come specifically to help.

He nodded grimly. "This time, it's more severe than the previous mind control on that young girl. We must find the hypnotist quickly to reverse it, or the consequences will be unimaginable."

Lilah's expression turned cold, her first suspicion falling on Lillie.

Others also had ample evidence pointing to Lillie as the mastermind.

Just then, Joselyn entered from outside. "Lilah, I'll bring her back. If it's her again, I'll see to it she's punished."

Joselyn's voice was somewhat frail. She knew her words might no longer be trusted, given the past.

Lillie's actions had completely proven her upbringing to be a failure.

"Ms. Joselyn, this isn't your fault. You don't need to blame yourself," Lilah forced a smile.

Joselyn's eyes brightened, but greater shame enveloped her.

She flew back to Kuskeonga overnight, intending to bring Lillie back, not expecting it would take two days and nights.

That night, Lilah entered Gerard's room and locked the door.

He sat quietly by the floor-to-ceiling window, cloaked in the chill of the night, appearing normal.

But only Lilah knew the agony he was enduring.

"Get out!" Gerard snapped as soon as he heard footsteps, turning around. Despite the dim light, the redness in his eyes was unmistakable, making him look terrifying.

At that moment, he seemed to forget who he was and who had come to see him.

But the instant their eyes met, he collapsed to the floor, as if struck by a powerful force, his will shattered, barely clinging to life.

Lilah's heart broke.

She knew Gerard was battling within, fighting the mind control trying to control his mind and turn him into a puppet.

Naturally, he resisted, his body and soul loathing his current state, struggling to reclaim control.

The more he resisted, the more excruciating it became.

It was a pain that cuts through the heart and soul, a torment that feels like it's tearing you apart.

"Gerard, are you okay?" Lilah's heart was in her throat, wanting to approach but fearing she'd provoke him further, she hesitated.