"Micah..."


    Micah''s grandfather was calling out the names of Micah, Micah''s father, and Micah''s mother, but he never called out for Nick. Ss looked at Nick with an awkward expression.


    Nick''s face went from astonishment to disappointment, and then to a cold, detached mask, finally curling into a sardonic sneer... Nick wasn''tughing at anyone else but himself.


    ''I had the foolish hope that my father would really have me in his thoughts. How ludicrous...''


    Micah turned away, a silent figure amidst the tension.


    From the time he started learning, he felt that his grandfather had an aversion to Nick. He always seemed too strict with Nick and showed very little warmth. Micah had tried to talk to his grandfather about this issue. For some reason, however, the mention of Nick would always anger his grandfather.


    He could only give up on the topic.


    In fact, Micah had felt sympathy for Nick at first, but as time passed and his uncle''s behavior became increasingly erratic, he kept his distance from him...


    It used to be that their paths never crossed until n grew up. His uncle began scheming for him, aiming to secure the family inheritance and set n up for sess. Regrettably, n had no great aspirations and took pleasure in squandering money.


    Because of this, Micah and n got along quite well. Behind the scenes, Micah helped him out a lot.


    But Micah never anticipated that n would develop a lustful interest in Sadie, which not only angered Micah but also sparked conflict between uncle and nephew. "Nick, we can''t stay in the ward too long," Ss reminded gently. "Is there something you want to say to your father?"


    "Of course there is." Nick leaned in close to the bed, softly calling out, "Dad, Dad..."


    Micah''s grandfather stirred as if he heard the voice.


    "Can you hear me?" Nick said, ted. "It''s Nick."


    "Umm..." Micah''s grandfather made a deep, nasal sound, seemingly acknowledging his words. His eyelids fluttered, but he couldn''t quite open his eyes.


    "Please get well soon. I have some good news that will make you very happy," Nick said with a sinister smile on his face and squinty, ominous eyes.


    Ss stood close by, cautiously on guard. He feared that Nick might say something unpleasant on purpose to irritate Micah''s grandfather.


    "That''s enough," Nick said abruptly, stepping back. He inquired, "Ss, what did the doctors say? When will Father wake up?"


    "Your father suffered a stroke and slipped, which caused his unconsciousness. The doctors said he needs time to recover. It could be as soon as half a month or as long as several months," Ss replied. "I hope Father wakes up soon." Nick sighed. "Please take good care of him."


    "Of course." Ss nodded earnestly.


    Nick thanked him and left the room.


    Ss looked towards Micah.


    Micah too found it odd. ''That man didn''t say or do anything out of line? That doesn''t fit his style.''


    Micah stepped out of the ward.


    Nick had already removed his istion clothes and was meticulously wiping his hands with a disinfecting wipe. "When Father wakes up, remember to let me know. I want to bring n to visit him." "If you y fair and square, I won''t stop you," Micah said indifferently.


    "Ha!" Nick chuckled coldly, squinting at him. "If you''re so clean, no one can y tricks anyway!"


    With that, he pped his hands, turned, and walked away. "Take care, my dear nephew!"


    Micah watched his retreating figure, a slight frown creasing his brow.


    Although Nick hadn''t done anything that day, Micah couldn''t shake the uneasy feeling that something ominous was lurking.


    Just then, his cell phone rang. Dahlia was calling. "Mr. Clemens, Miss Roth has woken up!"


    In the background, Sadie''s panicked, piercing screams echoed. A sense of rm washed over him, and he dashed for the elevator.