Late one night, Emmalie's condition finally stabilized. She had slit her wrists, but avoided major veins, ensuring her survival. Beside her lay a suicide note. In it, she begged Thea to leave her alone, proclaiming her innocence and terror of imprisonment. She wrote of her unwillingness to confess to a crime she didn't commit and her fear that Thea would return her to poverty. Feeling cornered, she claimed suicide was her only option.

Now, Emmalie lay pale and fragile in her hospital bed, like a puppet with severed strings. Her red-rimmed eyes and tear-streaked face heightened her pitiable appearance.

Upon regaining consciousness, Ivy wept, then lashed out at Thea. "You bring nothing but bad luck! You jinx! Why did you push Emmalie to this? Why couldn't you just leave her alone?" Ivy’s words cut deep. Thea attempted to defend herself, but bodyguards restrained her, leaving her disheveled and bleeding.

Max watched silently, his expression cold. Finally, he issued Thea an ultimatum: "I can't believe I almost trusted you. You're heartless. We'll prove this evidence is fake, and if you keep targeting Emmalie, don't be surprised if the Hendrix family and I sue you." Thea responded with a bitter laugh.

"Lock her in the basement for three days. No food or water," Max ordered.

The butler hesitated. "What if Jake comes looking for her?"

Max scoffed. "She's headed to jail. Do you think the Hendrix family will still want her?"

Just then, someone rushed in, announcing, "The Hendrix family is here!"

Max's face shifted, and he gestured for Thea to be removed. Before they could act, steady footsteps and a deep voice echoed through the room. "Seems I've arrived at a bad time."

Nicolas stood in the doorway, his gaze icy.

Max plastered on a smile. "Mr. Hendrix, I apologize for the scene. Thea caused a disturbance, and my mother and I were merely disciplining her."

Nicolas's cold eyes fixed on Max, who felt a chill run down his spine.

"The Rowland family's strict parenting is impressive," Nicolas remarked coolly, seating himself on the couch. "I'm curious what Miss Rowland did to deserve such harsh punishment from her own family." His tone was flat, almost indifferent, as if observing a spectacle.

Ivy started to speak, but Max pulled her back. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he nervously addressed Nicolas, his usual arrogance replaced by politeness. "We acted in anger, Mr. Hendrix. What brings you here to see Thea today?" He hesitated, then added, "If this is about the Avon Ventures data leak, Thea made a mistake. If you want to call off the engagement between her and Jake, I won't object. I just don't want any bad blood between our families." Thea quietly scoffed.

Nicolas remained silent, his expression unreadable.

Sensing the tension, Darwin asked, "Hasn't Miss Rowland explained herself? She wasn't responsible for leaking the data. It was a setup by someone working with an Avon Ventures insider. The real culprit was Emmalie."

"No!" Ivy cried, her voice frantic. "Emmalie doesn't know anything about that kind of stuff. She's innocent. It couldn't have been her!"

Everyone in the room stared at Ivy with a strange look. Her eagerness to blame Thea contrasted sharply with her sudden defense of Emmalie, revealing a blatant favoritism.

To salvage the situation, Max said calmly, "Emmalie is talented in art, but she doesn't know anything about business matters. There has to be some misunderstanding."

Uninterested, Nicolas turned to Darwin. "You're getting sloppy. What's the idea behind trying to marry off an adopted daughter to the Hendrix family?"

Darwin sighed. "Mr. Hendrix, Thea is their biological daughter, not adopted."

Nicolas raised an eyebrow. "Oh? I thought she was some stray they picked up."

Max's face flushed. He bowed lower. "No, Mr. Hendrix, you've got it wrong. We weren't trying to mistreat her. Thea just never speaks up when she's wronged." He glanced at Thea, his eyes softening. "Why are you all standing around? Get a doctor to check on Thea immediately."

But Nicolas intervened, his voice cold and dismissive. "Don't bother. I need to speak with Miss Rowland. I'll take care of her myself." A strange gleam flickered in his eye as he looked at Max.

As Thea walked out with Nicolas, head held high, Ivy's gaze darkened. Thinking of Emmalie, hatred flashed in her eyes. She grabbed Max's arm. "After what Thea did to Emmalie, you're just going to let her walk away like that, huh?"

Max looked irritated. "Mom, don't you get it? Nicolas showing up in person means he's acknowledging Thea and Jake's engagement."

The fury in Ivy's eyes dimmed, replaced by cautious wariness.

The car was warm, filled with the scent of medicinal ointment and Nicolas's cologne, easing Thea's tension.

"Lift your head," Nicolas commanded calmly.

Thea obeyed, allowing his hand to support her chin. As his fingertips brushed her cheek, she tried to appear composed, but her reddened ears betrayed her nervousness. The ointment stung, and she flinched. "Mr. Hendrix, I can do it myself," she whispered. Nicolas didn't release her. "Did I hurt you?" he asked gently.

Thea quickly shook her head, her ears flushing even redder.

Changing the subject, Nicolas said, "There's a charity gala next week. You'll attend with me. Make sure these heal up by then."

Thea's eyes lit up. "So, you believe I didn't leak the data, right?"

Nicolas raised an eyebrow. "Do I seem that easy to deceive?"

Thea smiled, relieved but unsure. "Mr. Hendrix, you can count on me. I'll work hard and do whatever you need."

Nicolas withdrew his hand, his expression neutral. "Don't celebrate just yet. This incident caused significant damage. Someone will still have to take responsibility."

Thea thought of the Rowland family's favoritism toward Emmalie. "Sarah's been caught, and Braden can't stay hidden for long. Once we find him, he'll be the key to exposing the mastermind behind all this," she said.

The car stopped at Thea's hotel. She started to walk inside, but Nicolas stopped her. "Thea, I'll consider your proposal from before." Thea froze, then turned as the car window rolled up, concealing Nicolas's face. The engine roared, leaving Thea wondering if she'd imagined his words. Her proposal for a marriage of convenience had been a last resort. His reconsideration surprised and oddly hopeful.