Clive's outstretched hand fell limply. The sandalwood box containing the golden needles slipped from his grasp, only to be caught by a member of the Walsh family's third branch standing nearby.

"What did he say?"

"Something about giving the needles to Felicia?"

"This old fool! Still thinking of an outsider as he dies! He never thought of us, of how we'll survive!"

"Are you stupid? The arsonist took Harvey. He's probably gone for good. The Walsh family is ours now."

"And the needles? They're nothing. Anyone can have them. He's the only one who valued them!"

"You're right."

"Then let's notify family and friends, and prepare for his funeral."

Their murmurs were rife with excitement, devoid of sorrow—only barely concealed joy.

Felicia and Carmen reached the mountaintop, where a weathered tower stood beneath a centuries-old tree (a sign declared it over 700 years old). Carmen, the instigator of this visit, produced two small wooden plaques tied with red cloth. Nudging Felicia, she urged, "This tree is powerful. Quickly! Write a wish and hang it up!" Felicia smiled, amused.

The tree was already adorned with numerous plaques. As the wind blew, they clinked, lending an air of solemnity to the ancient wood. Carmen wrote intently, her face serious. Felicia, unsure of her own wish, simply wrote, "Peace and Safety." Carmen, however, filled her plaque with dense, copious script.

Felicia laughed. "Aren't you being a little greedy?"

Carmen blushed. "I guess I wrote a bit too much…"

"Just hang it higher, then. Your wishes will be seen first." Felicia winked, attaching her plaque to a branch.

Delighted, Carmen searched for a stone to stand on, striving to hang her plaque as high as possible, but it wasn't high enough. Felicia gave her a stick, and with its aid, Carmen secured her plaque to the highest point among the existing ones. She clapped her hands in satisfaction.

As Felicia was about to speak, they heard footsteps. Kayla's voice, bright and flirtatious, called from the path, "Mom, look at that tower! Let's explore!"

Myra's indulgent reply followed immediately, "Alright, dear. Today's all about you."

"Thank you, Mom! You're the best!"

The two approached, chatting and laughing, until they saw Felicia. Their laughter ceased abruptly. Kayla's smile, however, remained bright and cheerful.

At Felicia's chaotic birthday party, the revelation of her role in the reporter incident had enraged Myra. She'd slapped Felicia, ordering her to leave. Despite later attempting reconciliation through Sebastian, Felicia refused to return, declaring herself estranged from the Fuller family. Myra, convinced Felicia was struggling without family support, resolved to make her beg for forgiveness. How long, she wondered, could Felicia survive on her own?