“Amy…” Landon called out, his voice full of concern.

“It worked! The poison in Mom is gone!” Amelia’s excited voice came through the phone.

Landon let out a heavy sigh of relief.

“Honey, Mom is doing really well now. Dr. Mitchell said she can have the surgery anytime. Should we do the surgery now, or wait for you to get back?” Amelia asked.

Her smile, full of affection, was like the brightest sunshine breaking through the heavy clouds around Landon, instantly lifting his spirits.

“Let’s wait until I get back,” Landon said, a bit hesitant.

This move challenged Monroe’s bottom line, and he definitely wouldn’t let them leave Dreicean that easily.

But it wasn’t easy for Amy to keep things together alone in Norava. Landon worried she’d be anxious facing her mother’s surgery by herself.

“Honey, you’re busy over there, and I can handle things on my own,” Amelia immediately caught his hesitation. “Wesley, Morgan, and Daniel are all here with me.”

Before Landon could respond, Daniel grabbed the phone and said, “Let’s go ahead with the surgery. Mom wants to go home, so let’s not keep her waiting.”

Daniel’s steady, reassuring voice gave Landon the confidence he needed. “Alright, I’ll count on you to look after them.”

“We’re family, no need for formalities. Just focus on your side! If you need anything, just let me know,” Daniel replied.

“Everything’s going smoothly here,” Landon said.

He raised an eyebrow, glancing at Monica, who was still tied to the chair, and gave her a knowing smile.

His smile sent chills down Monica’s spine. She asked nervously, “Landon, the poison’s been neutralized. You promised to let me go home!”

“And what if I don’t?” Landon replied.

“My dad will never let you leave!” Monica raised her voice in agitation, a hint of madness beginning to creep across her angelic face.

It felt strangely familiar.

Landon said, “Our family’s genes really are strong.”

Monica, completely missing the sarcasm, just looked even prouder. “Of course! Our family is incredible.”

She paused, then gave a sweet, confident smile, “Landon, I’m way better than Amelia! If you and I had kids, their genes would be the best in the world.”

“Let me give you another chance–stay and be my husband. I’ll forgive everything that happened before, and everything the Montgomery family owns will be yours. What do you think?”

Landon couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

“What’s so funny?” Monica huffed, pouting in annoyance.

Chapter 291

“I’m laughing because you’re absolutely nuts,” Landon shot back. “When I said ‘genes,’ I meant the genes of lunatics.”

Monica’s face changed dramatically. “How dare you call me a lunatic?”

“Isn’t it true?” Landon replied coldly, standing up.

His tall figure loomed over Monica, creating an overwhelming sense of pressure.

“Who but a lunatic would do whatever it takes to steal someone else’s husband? I don’t even have a shred of love for you. On the contrary, I despise you. I hate you.”

Every word Landon spoke was like a knife stabbing into Monica’s heart.

Monica burst into tears, feeling utterly wronged. “Landon, you jerk! I love you so much. How can you say that to me?”

“That’s not love. It’s just a scary kind of possessiveness,” Landon shot back.

“I want to have you because I like you–what’s wrong with that? If it were someone I didn’t like, even if they got on their knees and begged, I wouldn’t be interested!”

Landon just clicked his tongue in disbelief.

He was so exasperated by her twisted logic that he actually laughed.

If she realized she was wrong, she wouldn’t keep spiraling further down the path of madness.

Some people were just rotten to the core from birth.

Trying to reason with her was like bringing logic to a knife fight–utterly useless.

“Landon, how can you treat me like this? You have to apologize to me…” Monica kept wailing and rambling.

Landon couldn’t be bothered with her crazy talk anymore. He just shut the door behind him and left.

As soon as he stepped out, he nearly jumped–there was a tall figure lurking right by the door.

“Night Owl? Shouldn’t you be resting? What are you doing hanging around here?” Landon frowned.

“Just watching the lunatic put on a show. It’s pretty amusing,” Night Owl replied with a faint smile, her pale face looking even more ghastly.

Landon’s frown deepened. “You should be getting some sleep!”

Night Owl didn’t move an inch. Instead, she pulled a cigarette from her pocket, ready to light it up.

“Girls shouldn’t smoke.”

A large hand suddenly reached over and snatched the cigarette right out of her hand.

Night Owl’s expression turned furious. “Aiden, are you seriously trying to mess with me?”

“At least, sick people should really cut back on smoking. You should listen to Landon and get some sleep!” Aiden instantly chickened out, handing the cigarette over to Landon.

Landon lit it up himself, took a drag, and grinned. “Nice cigarette.”

Aiden’s eyes widened, and he quickly turned and walked away.

Chapter pay

“Damn, I'll totally get paid for this,” Aiden muttered to himself.

Sure enough, Night Owl’s furious yell came right after. “Aiden, give me back my cigarette!”

He hurried off even faster.

“We’ve got a tough battle ahead. You should get some rest,” Landon said, his tone softening as he turned to Night Owl.

Night Owl just looked nonchalant, her eyes calm. “I can’t just sleep my whole life away, right?”

“At least you shouldn’t burn yourself out helping me,” Landon paused, a mix of emotions flashing in his eyes. “He wouldn’t be able to rest in peace.”

Those words finally pierced Night Owl to the core, and a wave of intense sorrow flooded her eyes.

Her pale, frail body seemed as if it had been struck by a heavy blow, instantly losing all its strength.

“Night Owl, you promised him you’d live well…” Landon’s large hand rested on her shoulder.

It felt so heavy, so crushing, that Night Owl couldn’t even straighten up.

She lowered her head, letting her bangs fall over her eyes.

She looked as limp and fragile as a rag doll.

“Stay strong, Night Owl,” Landon said softly, stepping forward and gently pulling her into his arms.

A sorrow that only the two of them could share lingered in the air.

Aiden, who had just doubled back, saw the scene and his jaw practically hit the floor.

“Th–this…” he stammered in disbelief.

‘That bastard! He already has a wife and kid, yet he’s still hugging another woman!’ Aiden fumed inwardly, jealousy flaring up.

Consumed by burning jealousy, Aiden couldn’t help but whip out his phone, snap a sneaky photo, and send it straight to Amelia.