The manor had never been as lively as it was that night. Cameron and Benjamin had caught wind of some news and rushed over, insisting on seeing Nathan.


    Dominick and Ford were kept on their toes, dealing with these unwee visitors.


    "Sorry, but our master doesn''t entertain guests here. Please, see yourselves out," Dominick said, practically gritting his teeth.


    Benjamin jumped up, "We know Nathan doesn''t usually see visitors, that''s why we don''t bother him. But tonight''s different. My grandfather, who is Nathan''s grandfather too, is suddenly very ill. He wants to see his beloved grandson. It''s a fair request, and if Nathan refuses, it''d be downright heartless."


    Dominick could see right through their intentions-they were here to cause trouble. His anger was visible, his eyes zing.


    "The master has his rules. If you want to see him,e back tomorrow."


    Cameron tugged on Benjamin''s arm, “Benjamin, let''s y by their rules. If Nathan doesn''t see visitors now, we''ll wait till morning." They were hell-bent on seeing Nathan.


    Dominick was boiling with frustration.


    Just as one problem seemed to settle, another arose.


    Greta wheeled Miranda from the backyard to the front, insisting on seeing Nathalie.


    "Nathalie, my mom''s getting old and isn''tfortable with the bedding you gave her. How can you, as her daughter, not care for her? Treating your elders so harshly-you''re not worried about karma?"


    Lizzy came out with a basin of water and dumped it right over Greta''s head.


    "Greta, you ungrateful wretch! My sister must''ve been out of her mind to take you in."


    Lizzy pointed fiercely at Miranda, "And you! You were the one who shamelessly begged my sister to take you in: Now, you both turn your backs on her kindness. Who''s


    worried about karma now? Ther


    higher power watching over


    us aren''t you afraid your tongues will get you in trouble for saying such things?"


    Miranda turned away, feeling ashamed, unable to speak.


    a


    But Greta only dug her heels in further, "Lizzy, I''ve got nothing to say to a mere servant. I demand to see Nathalie tonight; she can''t dodge me forever."


    Lizzy stood her ground on the staircase, "If you want to go upstairs, let''s see if you can get past me."


    Greta knew her limits-sickly and weak, she wouldn''t stand a chance in a physical confrontation with Lizzy. She had no choice but to back down. "Fine, I''ll sit here and wait for her toe downstairs."


    And so, Greta and Miranda settled on the couch in the living room. Lizzy was fuming, her face turning a shade of blue.


    Inside the bedroom, Nathalie listened to the racket Greta and Miranda were causing. Her fists clenched tight.


    "Nathan, tell me, was it Greta who betrayed you?"


    On the bed, Nathan''s once vibrant, handsome face was marred with dark, branching lines. His skin was no longer whole, but he still had a faint breath left in him. He weakly confessed to Nathalie, "Yes, it was her.


    Nathalie''s swollen eyes red with a fierce hatred. "I''ll make her pay."


    Nathan implored, "Sister, don''t do anything reckless."


    Nathaliey against Nathan''s chest, sobbing uncontrobly. "It''s all my fault. I was too soft-hearted with her and her mother. I gave them the chance to hurt you."


    Nathan mustered the strength to lift his hand, gently touching Nathalie''s hair. "Don''t be sad. Listen, I came into this world to protect you. Now, you''ve got to be strong."


    "You''re the heiress of the Stewart family, smart and business-savvy. I''ve put together all the Stewart family''s business secrets. You need to pull yourself together and


    internalize them. With your tabool &


    you''re bound to seed. Depending on others isn''t as good as relying on yourself. You''ve got to be the most powerful woman in the Capital."