CHAPTER 191


    Sherilyn’s eyes darted through the links popping on her screen, feeling overwhelmed, unsure if any


    of it was helpful. She paused, rethinking her strategy, and typed the search bar, “The Praying


    Mantis Biting Praying Mantis…”


    The page refreshed, and there it was. One of the search results caught her eye.


    [After mating, the female praying mantis decapitates and consumes the male!]


    Sherilyn’s face was a mask of impassivity as she read it.


    Several nightster, Sylvia was still recovering from her surgery, and Gilbert had stayed at the


    sprawling Johnson Mansion to be by her side.


    In the dead of night, he was roused from his sleep by the insistent ringing of his phone. The


    atmosphere was thick with anticipation, which only intensified when he saw the caller ID. It was


    Francis’s lead doctor. “Hello?”


    The doctor’s excited voice came through. “Mr. Gilbert. Mr. Francis is awake!”


    A shiver ran down Gilbert’s spine, his hair standing on end and his scalp tingling with disbelief and


    sheer adrenaline. “Say that again!”


    N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    The doctor repeated it, “Mr. Francis is awake! He’s opened his eyes!”


    Joy surged through Gilbert, overwhelming him to the point of tears. After all these years, his brother


    had finally awakened from his long slumber. No longer would Francis have to lie in a cold bed,


    surrounded by a maze of medical equipment.


    “Mr. Gilbert?” The doctor’s voice pulled him back to reality, “When can youe over?”


    Gilbert said without hesitation, “Now! I’ming right now!”


    Of course, Gilbert would waste no time. It was the moment he had been waiting for.


    The doctor replied, “Good, see you soon.”


    After hanging up, Gilbert scrambled to get dressed but stopped dead on his way to the closet.


    “Grandma! Of course, I have to tell Grandma!”


    He had to share the monumental with Sylvia, even if it meant waking her up in the middle of the


    night. It wasn’t about fearing her reprimand. It was about sharing this immense joy.


    So, in the wee hours, Gilbert and Sylvia left the Johnson Mansion and rushed. to the private


    hospital where Francis was getting his treatment.


    Sylvia couldn’t stop her tears during the drive.


    “Grandma,” His eyes misty, Gilbert handed her a tissue, “You need to try and hold back the tears. I


    know you’re happy, but think of your health.”


    “You think I want to cry?” Sylvia shot back, her eyes red, “I just can’t help it. Oh, my poor Francis,


    he’s finally awake!”


    She clutched her chest. “I feared Francis wouldy there forever, never opening his eyes again


    even after I was gone.


    When hearing that, Gilbert’s heart ached with empathy. “He wouldn’t do that. Fran cares too much.


    Look, he’s awake now, isn’t he?”


    Caroline, filming night scenes, wasn’t at the mansion.


    “Oh dear…” Sylvia sighed, “The one night Caroline’s not here, and Francis wakes up. How could


    she miss this?”


    “Don’t worry.” Gilbert reassured her, “I’ve already spoken to Caroline’s agent. Caroline will rush over


    as soon as she’s done shooting.”


    Sylvia nodded. “That will have to do.”


    The hospital room was quiet, dimly lit by a bedsidemp to keep the atmosphere calm.


    Supporting Sylvia, Gilbert tiptoed to the side of the bed.


    Francis was lying there with his eyes closed, looking much like he always did during hisa.


    “Well…” Sylvia looked at the doctor questioningly, her vision blurred with age and confusion.