"It''s noble of you to be so considerate," ric replied, picking up his coffee mug and taking a slow sip.


    "How could I not think about it? You''ve already had a brush with death. As a brother who''s grown up with you, it''s my concern," Cormac said, his forehead creased with a slight frown.


    "They''re responsible for your injuries and discharge from active duty. You harbor resentment towards them, and they reciprocate the animosity. After thatst showdown, their leader vanished and now lingers like a ticking time bomb." "I''m aware," ric responded.


    "Why be so conspicuous then? You could have kept a low profile after switching from military service to business. But no... you just had to be a household name, almost as if you''re taunting them," said Cormac. ric couldn''t help but smile faintly at Cormac''s gripes. He was genuinely touched by Cormac''s concern.


    "Don''t worry. The person who can kill me hasn''t been born yet!" ric took another sip of his coffee, his eyes sharpening. "Actually, I''m looking forward to them showing up. You know, as a soldier, notpleting your mission is a huge regret." It was an unresolved issue for ric that the leader of that organization went missing. He would be more than happy to personally take care of him within his lifetime.


    "All right, maybe I''m just being paranoid," Cormac sighed after expressing his doubt, and added, "It''s been nearly a decade, for all we know, those guys never showed up again, perhaps they might be long gone. Let''s not worry about them for now. But tell me, do you really like Gtea?"


    "Noment," ric responded swiftly.


    "I''m a doctor, and I''ve known you since we were kids. You chose her over me to be your private physician. That says a lot. I feel bad for my sister, you know. Gtea''s got two kids to look after. How is she better than my sister?" "She''s prettier than your sister."


    "Is that all it is?" Cormac was incredulous and shook his head,ughing. "My sister has always been loyal to you, never married, andes from a simr background."


    "She''s still prettier than your sister."


    "My sister is a famous actress adored by thousands, and she''s just a humble doctor," Cormacpared them.


    "She''s prettier than your sister."


    Unable to restrain himself, Cormac cursed, "And here I thought a well-traveled man of the world like you would have refined taste. Turns out you''re just shallow!"


    ric couldn''t help butugh. Indeed, Gtea was beautiful - undeniably the most beautiful woman he had everid eyes on. But it wasn''t just her beauty. She had other endearing qualities, no matter how subtle.


    After leaving ric, it had grown dark, and Gtea headed to the phone repair shop to fix her screen. While waiting, she decided to visit a portrait artist.


    Just likest time, she described Mrs. Marigold to the artist as he sketched.


    Yet once finished, Gtea frowned, "That doesn''t look like her at all."


    "I''ve drawn it based on your description, and this is what I got."


    No matter how Gtea looked at it, it just didn''t seem right - a regrettable oversight on her part for not taking a photograph when she had the chance. "Never mind, thank you." She paid for the work but left the portrait behind as it was of no use to her.


    After Gtea left, the stalker made a deliberate phone call, "Griffon, everything has been executed as you instructed."


    Once off the call, Griffon''s lips curled into a sly smirk as he looked at a photograph.


    Though the image was a bit blurry, it clearly showed Gtea pressed against ric''s chest in an intimate embrace.


    The sight of the photo filled Griffon''s eyes with ire. Taking a lighter, he set it aze and casually tossed it into the trash.


    Gtea sought out several other artists; but to no avail. The results were the same. Thest artist she visited was too far to reach on short notice, as it was near Aminta''s ce.


    When her phone was finally fixed, Gtea headed home. It waste by then; Mia, Harry and Elisa was already asleep.


    Restless and unable to sleep, Gteay in bed idly scrolling through her phone when a news headline caught her attention. "Nexus Innovations is poised to make a ssh. ric is set to invest a fortune in creating the nation''s premier entertainment hub, which will be a newndmark upon itspletion!"


    ''An entertainment hub?'' she mused. ''That man is truly in the spotlight.''


    As she pondered, her bedroom door creaked open. Gtea looked up and quickly sat up, "Harry, why are you up sote?"


    "I woke up and went to the bathroom," Caspian replied as he walked over and sat by her bed. "Mom, Elisa told me you had a date with ric tonight. Is that true?"


    "No," Gtea rified, "I''m his personal physician currently treating his insomnia. It''s not what you''re thinking."


    Caspian had been quite pleased when he heard from Elisa about the supposed date.


    Seeing his disappointed face, Gtea managed a bitter smile and said, "Do you really want me to get married?"


    "I just think it would be good for you to marry ric," Caspian blurted out. Then, immediately realizing his indiscretion, he quickly added, "I mean, with his background as a former soldier and a CEO, he seems like a good match."


    She couldn''t help but muse on the influence ric had on the kids, having them champion his cause.


    "Kids shouldn''t worry about adult matters," Gtea said as she scooped Caspian up, carrying him out of the room. "Marrying without love is a tragedy. When love is right, marriage wille naturally."


    Having settled him back in his room and tucked him into bed, she tried to leave, but Caspian asked anxiously, "So, is there a chance for you and him? Even just a little?"


    ''Is there a chance with him?''


    ''To be honest, not at all. They were worlds apart in every sense.''


    While Gtea momentarily hesitated, Caspian jumped in with, "No answer means there''s still a chance. I''ll keep an eye out for the wedding bells, Mom. Goodnight." And with that, he didn''t even give her a chance to speak. For the next month, Gtea was punctual for her twice-weekly visits to provide him with physical therapy, neverte, not even once.


    "How has it been after a month of treatment? Any significant improvement in your insomnia?" Gtea asked with a good dose of confidence.


    "Honestly, it''s been quite good."


    That was the truth. ric was able to fall asleep much faster these days.


    "Of course it is," Gtea said with a hint of pride. "I''ve spent a lot of time perfecting this treatment n for insomnia. It had to work."


    "Did you devise it specifically for Ambrose Vale?"


    After ric''s question, the room fell silent, and Gtea''s expression changed in an instant.