Johanna watched coldly, a wicked smile playing on her lips. Suddenly, a thought struck her, and she turned to Imogen. "Don't worry, Ms. Russell. Once you're dead, I'll make sure your son joins you in the afterlife!"

That sentence pierced Imogen's deepest sensitivities.

Archie gave Johanna a helpless glance, his eyes filled with affectionate indulgence. "Didn't we agree to wait a little longer before dealing with the child? He still has his use. Just hold out a bit longer. Once we've firmly taken control of the Russell family, then—"

He never finished. A knife plunged through his chest.

In excruciating pain, Archie regained his senses. Looking down, he met Imogen's icy gaze. Her eyes… She could see again?

Archie was shocked. He instantly recalled Imogen's recent unusual behavior.

"You can see? When did you regain your sight? You knew all along, didn't you?" His words were strained, but he had already lost the fight.

"Yes, I've known for a while," Imogen replied, twisting the knife deeper. Her eyes never left his. Blood splattered her face, creating an eerie yet smiling visage. "Archie, you deceived me for so long, so it's only fair I deceive you once, don't you think? Oh, and by the way, you shouldn't blame me. After all, this is the result of your own stupidity, isn't it?" she echoed his words.

The blow was fatal. Blood flowed freely as Archie's body slumped, strength leaving him.

Imogen removed the belt from her neck and discarded it. Her voice, though slightly raspy, held unmistakable satisfaction. "Turns out your blood is warm, after all. I thought it'd be cold," she commented, then laughed dazedly.

Everything happened in the blink of an eye.

Johanna screamed, rushing to Archie's side. Panic and agony etched her face as her voice broke into sobs. Archie, clinging to his last strength, gently touched her face, as he had countless times before. His gaze held tenderness.

"Don't… don't cry. Go… go find Mr. Carrell. Go with him. You'll survive…" He expended his last energy on these words before his eyes closed and his breath ceased.

Johanna's mind blanked; her world shattered. Only anguished screams remained. "Archie! Archie!"

Imogen stood quietly, observing. It was, indeed, a touching sight.

Archie's final words weren't filled with anger or curses, but concern for Johanna. He worried more about her falling into Imogen's hands than his own death. Even as his breath left him, his thoughts remained on Johanna. His final glance held affection, reluctance, and love. If his lies, schemes, and manipulations were for Imogen, his genuine feelings, his true heart, and his love were reserved for Johanna alone.