“Let’s see if anyone sparks a memory. Otherwise, all our efforts will have been for naught,” Lucy


    suggested. Cherise’s lips pressed into a thin line as she settled back onto the bed, resuming her.


    examination of the photos.


    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    As daylight waned and the room darkened with the onset of evening, Cherise noticed the fading.


    sunlight giving way to the encroaching night. By eight o’clock at night, Lucy’s persistent yawns betrayed


    her fatigue. After hours spent poring over the photographs, Cherise’s breakthrough came unexpectedly.


    She identified a figure in one of the books with a pointed finger. “I remember him,” she dered. “I


    recall his name, and I remember he once lent me a hand.”


    Lucy’s expression soured as she nced at the page subconsciously, her disbelief evident as she


    covered her face with her hands in frustration. “After all this time, you only remember one person?”


    Cherise nodded solemnly. “It appears so.”


    “Very well,” Lucy sighed, closing the book and tucking it away. “I’ll have a word with Damien and see if


    we can arrange for this individual to be released from the mental institution.”


    As Lucy departed. Cherise remained seated, her gaze following the woman until she disappeared.


    Then, realization struck, causing her eyes to widen in astonishment. “M-mental institution?”


    Yes. Lucy confirmed, reopening the door at the sound of Cherise’s startled voice. She offered a


    reassuring smile. “He’s the only person you remember. Even if he’s currently confined, Damien will see


    to his release. Lucy’s expression softened, a faint smile gracing her lips. “I just… worry that Mr. Lenoir


    will have to go through quite a hassle.


    Lucy’s voice trailed off her words hanging in the air, leaving Cherise puzzled over her cryptic statement.


    “In my recollection…n was a standout student. How could he possibly end up in a mental


    institution…”


    “Because he desired something he shouldn’t have,” Lucy rified with a subtle smile before departing.


    leaving Cherise still befuddled by the revtion.


    Cherise contemted chasing after Lucy for rification, but her intentions wer vignt bodyguards


    stationed at the door. “Mrs. Lenoir,” they interjected, raising her, “Please don’t put us in a difficult


    position.


    Cherise fell silent and resigned to the situation. Fine. won’t put them in a difficult posi stuck in this


    challengingsituation.


    Retreating to her room, Cherise stretched out on the bed, her senses attuned to the fain downstars.


    With the vi’s impable soundproofing, she strained to discern Damien’s teed with a hint of self-


    deprecation. The current Cherise remained unaware ofn’s fate


    Leo. Teratone Dannien’s role in orchestratingn’s admission to the mental institution.


    Themotion downstairs persisted for a long time. After more than half an hour, the faint s Euer


    departure could be heard from outside. Another half hour psed before the measured. footsteps of a


    man ascended the stairs and approached Cherise’s room.


    adversary, maintaining an air of indifference toward him. However, today… Lucy’s words lingered,


    subtly influencing her thoughts. Even if Lucy’s assertions were untrue, Cherise couldn’t continue


    treating Damien as an enem


    Moreover, her attention was drawn to the ck silk cloth resting in the corner of the desk. Last night’s


    dream… Lost in contemtion, Cherise was jolted from her reverie by the nearing footsteps of the


    man. As they halted outside her door, she could distinctly discern his deep voice asking the bodyguard


    about her.


    Feeling a surge of unease, Cherise hastily scrambled onto the bed, pulling the nket over herself to


    feign slumber.


    Once the bodyguard updated Damien on Cherise’s condition, he gracefully opened the door and


    entered the room.