“Is that really what Felicia wants?” Sebastian’s expression darkened, his lips pressed tightly together. His emotions were a turmoil, but the thought of his family's plight elicited a bitter laugh. He left without a word.

After a few steps, Scarlet called out, tossing him a card. He recognized it instantly: the same card Dexter had given Felicia upon her return to the Fuller family—a card linked to an account containing $500,000, intended as pocket money.

“My boss said she’s never touched a cent,” Scarlet said. “Consider it settled. Leave and don’t bother her.” She shoved the card into his hand, unconcerned about his reaction. Giving him a head-to-toe appraisal, she sneered. “Your family’s judgment is appalling. Mistaking a fraud for the real thing, then treating the real one like trash. And now you regret it?” Rolling her eyes, she sashayed away.

By the time Sebastian left, darkness had fallen. Dark clouds loomed, a lightning bolt split the sky, followed by thunder. Rain began to fall heavily. People scurried for shelter, but Sebastian walked on, uncaring, until he was drenched to the bone.

In the kitchen, Dexter, an inexperienced cook, was clumsily preparing a meal. Startled by his son's arrival, he splattered hot oil on his hand, hissing in pain. “Sebastian, did you see Felicia? It’s pouring! Why are you soaked? Shower and change. Dinner’s almost ready.”

The food, when served, was a culinary disaster—overcooked, burned, and unevenly cut. It was barely edible, yet this had become their daily reality. The Fuller family had no money left.

After Sebastian learned of his parents' disappearance, he used his last funds to find them, eventually locating them in the rainforest. Dexter suffered only superficial injuries, but Myra was in critical condition. Dehydrated and having drunk contaminated water, she developed a high fever and bacterial infection. Their frantic rush to the hospital, the agonizing wait outside the operating room, and the mounting medical bills—all for a coma that showed little sign of ending. Though her vitals stabilized and the infection was controlled, Myra remained unconscious, her life dependent on daily nutrient infusions.

Dexter wondered if it mirrored his own experience—a prolonged coma followed by awakening from a long dream. Could Myra be experiencing the same? Their only recourse seemed to be Felicia. That’s why Sebastian had gone to her, only to be dismissed.

Looking down, Sebastian noticed his stiff fingers, clenched around the card. Dexter saw it. “Isn’t that the card I gave Felicia?” he asked in surprise. He remembered giving it to her, recalling Kayla’s smug boast about Felicia’s ordinary card compared to her own unlimited spending supplementary card.