Arnold felt resentful. "Grandpa, the Lawsons are one of Khogend's most influential families, yet Stephan has crushed us! Are we simply going to accept this?"

Mr. Lawson Senior's voice was weak. "So, what do you plan to do?"

"Stephan may hold sway in Sedvale, but this is Khogend, our land! We must show him that no one can defy the Lawson family."

Mr. Lawson Senior listened, then laughed—a bleak, disheartening sound. He had held high hopes for Arnold, his heir, believing the young man would one day independently support the family. This incident, however, revealed Arnold's naiveté.

"Call Uncle Mike," he rasped, his energy failing. "I need to see him immediately!"

Fearing his grandfather wouldn't survive the night, Arnold quickly dispatched someone to contact Mike. Mike, however, was at the children's hospital, oblivious to the ringing phone. Nothing mattered more than his daughter, Sandra, a girl barely two years old, suffering from a fever and hoarse from crying.

He gently patted her back. "Sweetheart, it'll be alright. You took your medicine; you'll feel better after you sleep. Don't be scared." She sobbed.

"Mommy... I want my mommy..." Mike's heart sank. Sandra had never known her mother. While manageable as an infant, with help from a babysitter and maids, Sandra's growing understanding of motherhood was heartbreaking. She'd point to cartoon mothers, asking, "Where's my mommy?"

Mike kissed her forehead. "Daddy will find Mommy for you. I promise!"

Sandra eventually fell asleep after receiving an IV and soothing care. Mike cleaned her tear-stained face, applied cream, and changed her diaper. Finally, he answered his persistent phone.

"What now?" he snapped.

"Uncle Mike, Grandpa might not make it through the night. He wants you here. Where are you?"

"I see. I'll go later." Mike hung up.

Though Sandra's fever subsided and maids watched her, Mike remained anxious, urging the medical staff to remain vigilant. "Call me immediately if anything happens!" he insisted, setting his phone to its loudest ring before leaving.

At the Lawson residence, Mike was stunned. It looked bombed; walls were shattered, trees uprooted. Inside, he understood the devastation. Felicia had been kidnapped, violence had ensued, only for Stephan to not only rescue Felicia but leave the Lawson home in ruins.

"Serves you right!" Mike scoffed. "What are you proving by bullying a girl? Now look at the consequences."

Mr. Lawson Senior coughed, his breathing labored. Even his doctor shook her head and left.

"What's done is done," he wheezed, leaning on his bed. "I called you so the Lawson family can survive." Gripping Mike's hand, a gleam appeared in his eyes. "From now on, you're in charge of the Lawson family."

Both Mike and Arnold were speechless.