Imogen’s deration left Johanna stunned.


    “Ms. Russell, you <b>can’t</b>! The rainforest is too dangerous, and you’re close to giving birth. This is far too risky!” The <b>maid </b>tried to stop her.


    “Yes, think about the baby, Imogen. What if the stress causes a premature birth? Let me go instead. I promise to keep you informed of everything!” <b>Johanna </b>shook her head.


    Despite their desperate attempts to dissuade her, the usually gentle Imogen stood her ground. Her tone was firm, leaving no room for argument. “I’ve made up my <b>mind</b>. Make the arrangements!”


    Left with no choice, the maid set about preparing for her journey. The <b>preparations </b>were extensive, including medical supplies and two private doctors to ensure her safety.


    The ne was soon ready, and Johanna helped Imogen onto it.


    By the time their group reached the outskirts of the rainforest, night was falling.


    From the helicopter, the rainforest showed signs of recent human activity. Muddy footprints marked the ground, and shed vegetation indicated paths carved with des.


    After a day–<b>long </b>flight, Imogen’s face was pale. However, thanks to her <b>good </b>health, her unborn child <b>was </b>fine.


    As the helicopter began its descent, Imogen sighed. “Why not simply fly over the area<b>?</b>”


    “Ms. Russell, the rainforest is shrouded in a dense fog. It’s impossible for the helicopter to go further,” one of the <b>crew </b>members exined.


    <b>“</b>Alright.” Imogen nodded. Though anxious, she understood there was no way to win <b>over </b>nature.


    The Russell family’s men were handpicked and trained by Stephan himself. They were both loyal and capable. Once the


    helicopternded, they quickly set up a camp in arge open area, creating protective barriers and scattering repellents to ward off insects and snakes.


    Imogen was ced in thergest military–grade tent. A bonfire was lit outside, and night guards were stationed to ensure safety. Though the rainforest <b>was </b>humid, the crew did their best to make Imogenfortable.


    At dawn the next day, four teams equipped with search gear entered the rainforest, leaving two teams behind to guard the camp and ensure Imogen’s safety.


    Imogen was frustrated yet worried, tormented by her helplessness. She hade all this way out of concern <b>for </b>Stephan, hoping it would ease her mind.


    But it was also because she didn’t trust outsiders to handle the search. She wanted to be on–site to receive updates as <b>soon </b>as possible.


    However, she felt like a burden, left waiting anxiously in <b>the </b>camp. Worse, she was diverting manpower <b>to </b>protect her.


    Her <b>guilt </b>went unnoticed by the rest


    Johanna spoke up with feigned determination, “Imogen, I’m worried about Stephan too. Let me go into the rainforest to look for him. Don’t worry, I’ll risk my life if that’s what it takes to bring him back!


    “Johanna…” Imogen was touched. Before the others could voice their objections, she agreed, “Alright, <b>you </b>can go with Andy and the others!”


    Andy’s eyes widened.


    They were heading here to <b>rescue </b>Stephan, not going on a casual bike!


    The rainforest was full of dangers. Bringing along the delicate Johanna would not only slow the search but also force them to divert attention to protect her.


    That was absurd!


    Unlike Stanley, who would have voiced his objections, Andy always kept his thoughts to himself. novelbin


    When Charles heard about the irregr heartbeat Evelyn acquired from being locked up and how she almost died from shock, he <b>was </b>shaken to his core. Yet, his instinct was to defend Dahlia. “Grandma, Dahlia had nothing to do with this,” he said.}


    “You!” Rosa was so enraged by Charles that she nearly lost her breath.


    “<b>Please</b>, help my grandma rest,” Charles instructed the servants attending to Rosa, “Grandma, you wouldn’t want Evelyn waking up and worrying about you, would you?” he added, striking a nerve.


    “Hmph!” With a heavy snort, Rosa red at him fiercely before leaving the room.


    Charles remained inside the bedroom and casually removed his white shirt, revealing his back covered in crisscrossing whip marks. They were much worse than thest punishment Rosa ordered. The freshshesyered over old scars, creating a grim spectacle.


    Dr. Nelson quickly tended to Charles‘ wounds. Throughout the treatment, Charles expression remained unchanged. He sat in the armchair, his gaze resting on Evelyn.


    Once Dr. Nelson finished tending to him, he was about to change the dressing on Evelyn’s finger. “Leave us,” Charles said, asking him to leave the special ointment behind<b>. </b>


    After Dr. Nelson left, Charles moved to the bedside, gently unwrapping the bandages from Evelyn’s injured hand. The hospital had treated the wound, but it still clearly showed what she had endured. Charles” throat tightened as if something was pricking at his heart, causing an ufortable sensation.


    He stared at Evelyn’s finger for a while, motionless. “Now you feel the pain for her?” Rosa’s voice came from behind him, her eyes scrutinizing. It seemed Charles still had some kindness left.


    Charles pressed his lips together and didn’t reply, quickly masking any flicker of emotion. He wouldn’t admit to feeling distressed. Rosa wasn’t about to let him off the book. She noticed his reaction to Evelyn’s injuries and pulled out her phone, showing him photos the bodyguard had taken in the Greenrose basement. Look at what you’ve done to Eve<b>!</b>‘!


    The door had been opened, and the rats inside were long gone. But the bloodstains left on the door were a haunting reminder. Charles eyes widened in shock. The difort he had tried to suppress rushed back, weighing heavily on his heart. No wonder she was so furious andshed out at him.


    “Take good care of Eve,” Rosa said, seeing a glimmer of hope in Charles before leaving him to rest.


    After the bedroom door closed again, Charles picked up the ointment and began applying it to Evelyn’s wounds. His touch was gentle yet deliberate. Despite his care, the pain was sharp, <b>as </b>fingers are sensitive.


    In her daze, Evelyn furrowed her brows, cold sweat dampening her hairline. Charles paused<b>, </b>his gaze softening as he looked at her face. An image shed in his mind: before Dahlia and Sandy returned, he had seen a young Charlie holding Evelyn’s hand, blowing on her injured finger. “Mommy, if I blow <b>on </b>it, will it stop hurting?” Charlie had asked sweetly. Evelyn had smiled, touching Charlie’s head. “Yes<b>, </b>when you blow on it, I don’t feel the pain,”


    Charles, almost without thinking, gently blew on Evelyn’s finger while applying the ointment. Whether it actually helped or not, Evelyn’s furrowed brow visibly rxed a bit. Encouraged, Charles focused on the task at hand, not noticing Evelyn slowly waking up.


    The tender care confused Evelyn; only Rosa had ever treated her so gently. Opening her eyes, she softly called out, “Gran…” but stopped short when she saw it was Charles. Her expression froze. Since Dahlia’s arrival, Charles hadn’t shown her <b>such </b>kindness; his attention had been solely on Dahlia


    Evelyn’s brief daze was fleeting. She quicklyposed herself, withdrawing her hand from Charles‘ grasp. In her haste, her finger hit the edge of the bed, causing a sharp pain that made her gasp. Charles‘ expression shifted, and he instinctively reached for her hand again, but she pulled away.


    She could handle this pain. Evelyn understood that Charles‘ gentleness was a facade–a sugar–coated bullet. Beneath ity something for more dangerous. Facing Charles‘ darkened expression, Evelyn sat up, her gaze icy. “Charles, quit pretending. I don’t need your act. Let it go. I won’t change my mind about Dahlia.“W