Back at Half Mountain Vi, Ss was already at the door, leaning on a cane, waiting. Raymond''s death had hit him like a ton of bricks, and in just a month, he looked like he''d aged decades, turning into a frail, white-haired old man. With the


    cane in his hand and the tired lines on his face, he looked eerily like thete Raymond.


    "Ss!" Nathan shouted, jumping out of the car and running over with a big grin. Since Raymond''s passing, Nathan and the other kids had started looking up to Ss just like they did with their great-grandpa.


    "Nathan, be good." Ss bent down to hug Nathan and gave him a gentle pat on the back. "Seeing you makes my day."


    "Me too," Nathan beamed, all innocent and happy. "Ss, you feeling better?"


    "Much better," Ss said, ruffling Nathan''s hair. "It''s chilly out here, let''s head inside."


    "Okay." Nathan nodded, grabbing the nurse''s hand as they walked into the vi.


    Micah stood by the car, giving Ss a slight frown, then turned to re at Andrew and Rn. Both of them looked down, feeling guilty. Dahlia didn''t even dare to breathe loudly.


    "Not happy to see me?" Ss asked Micah with a friendly smile.


    "Of course not." Micah walked over, smiling. "I got some tea in my study, made when Grandpa was still around."


    "Then I won''t be shy." Ss chuckled.


    Ss walked into the vi with Micah. Micah told the servants to get the tea ready and then led Ss to the study on the first floor.


    Micah took off his coat and plopped down on the sofa, reaching for the iced wine a servant handed him, but Ss stopped him: "No more drinking for you."


    The servant looked scared out of their wits.


    Micah made a gesture, and the servant quickly bowed and left.


    "Ss, don''t listen to their crap," Micah said. "It''s just a minor thing, no big deal."


    "I know everything, so don''t try to sugarcoat it." Ss sighed sadly. "I always thought E was trouble, but I never imagined she''d be so nasty, causing harm even on her deathbed. Mr. Raymond Clemens up in heaven would regret trusting her if he knew she poisoned you."


    "It''s all in the past. No point talking about it now," Micah said calmly.


    "Yeah, she''s gone, and cursing her won''t help." Ss sighed. "I just hope you get proper treatment. Even Sadie bounced back from severe poisoning, so you can too. With Mr. Raymond Clemens gone, the whole Clemens Group is counting on you. If something happens to you, what''ll happen to the Clemens Group? What about the kids?"


    "I get it." Micah nodded and promised. "Tomorrow, I''ll go to thepany to handle some stuff. I''ll leave the household affairs to you. Once everything''s sorted, I''ll start my treatment."


    "That''s good." Ss looked at his bandaged hand and advised earnestly, "I saw the news. I know it''s hard to swallow, but I always believe that as long as you''re alive, there''s hope for everything!" Hearing this, Micah felt a bit moved. Yeah, as long as he was alive, everything could turn around.


    "Get proper treatment, and everything will turn around." Ss patted his shoulder and reassured him. "Ryan''s at thepany, and I''m here at home. You can rest easy."


    "Yeah." Micah nodded with a smile. "The tea''s ready. Let''s have some."


    "Alright." Ss smiled..


    The two drank tea in the study, and the sound of rain outside made everything feel quiet and cozy.


    Micah poured tea for Ss, looking at his aged hands, and couldn''t help but think of Raymond. He couldn''t help but ask, "Do you think Grandpa regretted it when he passed away?"