Lance pressed his fingers to his temples. "I'm sorry, but I'm tired. Alfred, show him out."

Alfred, Lance's assistant, gestured for the butler to leave. With no other choice, the butler retreated.

Once the door was closed, Alfred returned to the office.

"Is he gone?" Lance asked.

Alfred shook his head. "Not yet. He says he'll wait until you agree to go back with him."

Lance's lips curled into a smug smile. "Then let him wait."

Back at Palmer Castle, after drinking the medicine, Brock drifted into a long, vivid dream. In the dream, the ice and snow were melting, the world was coming back to life, and a warm sun broke through the clouds, its rays blanketing him in a comforting warmth. It was a feeling of pure, unadulterated peace, something he hadn't experienced in years.

He was finally awakened by the sound of his mother's furious voice.

"Celia! Do you have any idea what you've done? You gave him the medicine behind my back! Are you trying to kill him?"

"Mother, please, just trust Freya this one time. She's a miracle worker. She won't let us down."

Mrs. Palmer raised her hand to strike, but just as she was about to, a voice from behind her stopped her cold.

"Mother."

Her back was to the bed, and for a moment, she thought she had imagined it. But Celia, who was facing the bed, gasped, her eyes filling with tears of joy. "Mother! Brock is awake!"

Mrs. Palmer spun around.

There, she saw Brock, sitting up in bed under his own power.

"Mother, I'm alright," he said with a smile. "Celia was right. Miss Gonzales is a true miracle worker."

Mrs. Palmer rushed to his side and threw her arms around him, sobbing with relief. "Brock! Oh, Brock!"

"Mother," he said, his voice stronger now, "I'm hungry." He felt an intense craving for food.

That was when it truly sank in. Her son was well. He was really, truly well. She immediately ordered the staff to prepare a meal, then turned to Celia, her face filled with remorse. Celia, I'm so sorry shouldnt have yelled at you. And I never should have doubted Miss Gonzales."

Thank God for her daughter's courage. Without it, the consequences would have been unthinkable.

The butler, who had been waiting outside Lance's manor, received a call informing him that Brock was awake. He immediately got into his car and left.

Lance, watching from his office

window, saw the car drive away and smiled. The butler was obviously

going back to fetch Mr Palmer His moment of triumph was at hand.

About fifteen minutes later, Alfred burst into the room, out of breath. "Mr. Lance!

Mr. Lance! There's big news from Palmer Castle!"

Big news?

Lance smirked. "Mrs. Palmer has

arrived, I presume? Tell her to wait outside

m not awake yet.

wasn't going to let her off the hook that easily.

Alfred shook his head frantically. "No, sir, it's not Mrs. Palmer! It's... it's Patriarch

Brock! He's awake!"