Dorothy still curled up in that familiar fetal position, a habit that years hadn''t managed to change.


    Everett slipped under the nket, drawing her into his embrace.


    "You''ve got me now. I''ll make you feel safe. No need to curl up like this anymore. No need to be scared."


    Of course, Dorothy, deep in her dreams, didn''t hear his whisper. But feeling his presence, she instinctively snuggled closer, settlingfortably in his arms. For Everett, this moment meant everything.


    Even now, being with Dorothy, he wished time would just freeze here, not moving forward.


    Fame, fortune, wealth - he could give it all up.


    As long as she was by his side.


    Back at her ce, Quincy started to evaluate her assets.


    Her wealth wasn''t much, most of her parents'' fortune was earmarked for Simeon. How could they leave anything significant for her?


    It was only thanks to her medical skills that shended a job as the chief physician at the Lopez Corporation''s private clinic, allowing her to save a bit of money. Before she could figure out how much to give Dorothy, Ronin''s call came through.


    Ever since Quincy confided in him, Ronin had been a bundle of nerves, fearing any mishap with his daughter could drag the entire Caldwell family down. "Have you gone through with your n? Did you... poison Everett?" Ronin''s voice trembled as he spoke.


    He hadn''t dared to tell Simeon, fearing he''d bber about it.


    "Why worry? I''ve got it under control," Quincy responded, clearly annoyed at having to deal with him.


    "Can''t you clue me in on your ns? This matter involves the Caldwell family too, and I''m worried it might affect mypany!"


    "If that''s the case, go tell the Lopez family you''ve disowned me."


    "Would they believe that?"


    Quincy scoffed, "Since you know they won''t believe it, we''re in the same boat here. So stop bothering me!"


    Her disdain for him was palpable.


    In front of Ronin, Quincy didn''t bother to mask her true feelings.


    "You! Don''t forget you came begging to me!"Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    "I haven''t forgotten. You agreed because you feared for the Caldwell family''s ruin. Do you actually think i''d be grateful, assuming you did it out of love for your daughter?" Quincy said jotting down her assets on a piece of paper.


    Suddenly, she stopped writing.


    "The Caldwell family has an office building in Eldorria City, right?" She remembered her father mentioning it, nning to start apany there for Simeon. "What are you nning?"


    "I''m giving that building to Dorothy."


    Ronin almost lost it.


    "To Dorothy? Have you lost your mind?


    but that woman''s been nothing


    but trouble for your ns with


    Everett, and instead of getting rid of her, you''re giving her gifts?"


    "Dorothy gave Everett two kids. If she wants money and gets the property, she''ll cut ties with Everett. I need to eliminate any rivals first. That way, Everett can marry me without any distractions."


    "That''s absurd. Why should my wealth be used for this? Everett has plenty of properties. Let him provide!"