She smiled at him, her demeanor calm yet determined. “I have a gift for you, Ian,” she dered. She


    grabbed the objects on a nearby table with swift precision andunched them towards him. Though he


    managed to evade the first cup she threw at him, Otto quickly intervened, restrainingn. In the


    ensuing chaos, hot water, a kettle, teacups, tes, and fruits rained upon Ian.


    After hurling everything within reach, Cherise regained herposure quickly, to everyone’s surprise.


    “Take him back to the mental hospital,” she instructed, her voice steady. She took a moment to gather


    herself before continuing, “His presence is no longer needed.”


    “Mrs. Lenoir, are you absolutely sure?” Otto’s grip tightened on Ian as he posed the question, his


    concern evident on his wrinkled brows. Damien had emphasized to Otto about Ian’s role in recovering


    Cherise’s memories. Hence, Otto hesitated to send Ian away despite what Cherise had said.


    Ian was an incredibly sly man. Should his current schemes fail, his future ploys upon potential release


    from the mental hospital would undoubtedly escte to more extreme measures.


    “Yes,” Cherise affirmed, drawing a deep breath. “Even if my memories remain elusive, I no longer


    require his presence.” She felt distressed for Damien. A man of his stature rarely gave in and was


    barely swayed easily. He had only set aside his dignity because her memories focused on Ian. Cherise


    was Damien’s number one priority. Yet, she refused to allow Damien to be so subservient or


    constrained, even if it was for her sake.


    “Cherise!” Ian fought against Otto’s restraint, his voice teeming with desperation. “Cherise, what I said’


    before were lies, I swear… You might not recall Damien now, but you remember me. You know what


    sort of person I am.”


    “What I said earlier-Damien made me say it… Really…” Ian’s gaze bore into Cherise, his expression


    fraught with pain and anguish. “I never meant to address you in that manner… This whole situation is


    Damien’s doing. This is his and Otto’s scheme!”N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    “Is that so?” Cherise retorted with a scoff. “But it was my choice to be here. Having this conversation


    was also my idea.”


    She gazed into Ian’s eyes. “Ian, you’re quite the performer. If it wasn’t for what you said, I wouldn’t


    have been aware that you had initially intended to dispose of the study materials you gifted me back


    then. I was deeply touched at the time, believing you genuinely cared for me, but it was all a fa?ade.


    You’ve probably said the same to countless other girls.”


    “Thank you,” Cherise added, offeringn an indifferent smile. “You’ve taught me a valuable lesson.”


    “It shows that what you witness might not always be the whole truth. Moreover, I can’t take others’


    words at face value. Take him away,” shemanded before briskly leaving the room.


    As the swung the door open and stepped into the corridor, a frown creased Cherise’s brow, and she


    turned to nce at Otto. “By the way, Otto, if I’m about to meet someone dangerous, can you ensure I


    May safe?”


    keep you protected.” After a momentary pause, he locked eyes with Cherise. “But if you want to face a


    dangerous individual, Mrs. Lenoir, it’d be best for Mr. Lenoir to be there with you.”


    “Otherwise, Mr. Lenoir won’t rest easy. And I’d strongly suggest steering clear of any risky encounters


    without his knowledge,” Otto advised. Despite his recent return to the country, Otto had already shown


    himself reliable, as others had attested.