He looked up to see Felicia holding a shard against Arnold's neck, holding him hostage. He felt utterly useless. Mr. Lawson Senior closed his eyes and spat out blood.

"Grandpa!" Arnold cried anxiously.

He tried to reach his grandfather, but Felicia pressed the shard harder against Arnold's neck. "Don't move!"

When Arnold turned to return to his room, he was shocked to see military Humvees storming the Lawson residence. Seizing the opportunity, Felicia used Arnold as leverage for escape. She hadn't anticipated that Stephan Russell, in those Humvees, was intent on destroying the Lawson residence.

Reaching the stairway, Felicia kicked Arnold down before turning to Stephan with a lighthearted smile. "Great, I can finally relax now that you're here." She collapsed onto the steps.

Stephan moved swiftly, catching her before she hit the ground. Her skin was burning hot; her palm bled, yet she still clutched the shard. Both arms were scratched and wounded. Stephan gently pried the shard from her hand and tossed it aside.

He lifted Felicia and glared coldly at Mr. Lawson Senior, lying on the ground, coughing up blood, and at the bleeding Arnold at the bottom of the stairs. "The Lawsons… very well then." His voice dripped with hatred.

The lights flickered and exploded. An icy wind swept into the villa, chilling everyone despite the warm weather. Angering Stephan had been a grave mistake.

Mr. Lawson Senior coughed up more blood. His voice strained, "Stephan, please have mercy. I didn't know Felicia was yours, or I never would have made such a decision."

He wasn't lying. Knowing Felicia was Stephan's, he never would have pushed the Lawsons to the brink, regardless of his own recklessness. "It's too late," Stephan replied.

He left, carrying Felicia, leaving three words hanging heavy in the air. Mr. Lawson Senior's face went deathly pale. His breath came in ragged gasps; his hands trembled uncontrollably. His vitality ebbed away.

"Grandpa!" Arnold yelled at the bodyguards. "Where's the doctor? Get a doctor here now!"

The bodyguards rushed off. Mr. Lawson Senior clutched Arnold's hand, his eyes flickering. "Did you know about this?"

"What?"

"Did you know Felicia was with Stephan?"

Arnold avoided his gaze. He had met Stephan at a club; he knew. But he wouldn't admit it.

Mr. Lawson Senior needed no further explanation. Furious, he spat out more blood. "Fool! Your actions will destroy the Lawson family!"