Chapter 106

At the hospital, in the corridor outside the emergency room, Victoria Winters wept, her eyes swollen and red.

"Victoria, what happened to my father?" Thalia asked, her face etched with worry.

Victoria dabbed her eyes. "Your father stepped out to the stairwell for a cigarette. When he didn't return, I went to check on him. When I opened the emergency door—" her voice broke—"I found him unconscious on the floor, blood pooling beneath his head."

"How could this happen…" Thalia whispered, her gaze unfocused.

"He just went out for a smoke," Victoria sobbed. "How could he have fallen? He's not elderly—he sees perfectly well."

Victoria's words struck Thalia with sudden clarity. It was Tom Malfoy. He couldn't reach the Blackwoods, couldn't find her, so he targeted her family—to flush her out.

Thalia's lips trembled with rage. Why was Tom Malfoy targeting her family? First Lucy, now her father. Her fists clenched, nails digging into her palms. Her legal training vanished, replaced by white-hot rage. She wanted only revenge. Tom Malfoy. She would remember that name.

After the medical team stabilized Randolph, they moved him to a private room. Two security professionals guarded the door.

Victoria approached with a thermos, eyeing them warily. "Who are you two?"

Thalia opened the door. "Victoria, my father's fall wasn't an accident. Asher sent these security specialists to protect him."

Victoria's brow furrowed. "What are you saying, Thalia?"

"Come inside. I'll explain everything."

Ten minutes later, Victoria's face was a mask of horror. "So Blackwood's illegitimate brother arranged this to draw you out?"

Thalia nodded grimly. "Everyone needs to be extremely careful. Victoria, don't go anywhere without security, and Lucy should stay home from school. The people who kidnapped her worked for Malfoy."

"I understand," Victoria replied, visibly shaken. "I'll arrange private tutors immediately."

Thalia cautioned, "Make sure the tutors are trustworthy. Thoroughly investigate their backgrounds. They might send someone posing as a tutor."

"Don't worry. I'll only use tutors we've worked with before."

"Thank you for handling all this," Thalia said, massaging her temples. "How's Lucy doing? Yesterday didn't frighten her, did it?"

Victoria shook her head. "We haven't told her anything. Your father's accident happened right as the birthday party ended. I said he had to leave for an urgent matter."

"Smart thinking. I'll have Asher send his best security team to protect both of you."

"That would be a relief."

The following afternoon, Asher visited the hospital after finishing urgent business. Victoria sat beside Randolph's bed, assisting with his medication, while Thalia worked on her laptop nearby. Asher entered with Matt Ford, carrying gift baskets and supplements.

"I'm terribly sorry, Uncle Randolph," Asher said, "I've been preoccupied tracking down those responsible and couldn't come sooner."

Randolph responded with a curt "hmm."

Thalia looked up. "Have you found who did this?"

"Yes," Asher replied.

Thalia's eyes blazed. "Where are they?"

"They've been handed over to the police, but Malfoy covered his tracks meticulously. We can only prosecute the attacker; we lack grounds to arrest Malfoy himself."

Thalia's expression darkened. "He wouldn't be stupid enough to leave a trace."

Asher turned to Randolph, his tone apologetic. "Uncle Randolph, I'm truly sorry you've been caught in this. This is because of me."

Randolph looked pale and frail. "Asher, Thalia has explained everything. With the Blackwood family's power and influence, you really can't do anything about this Malfoy character? You're just going to let him continue hurting people?"

"I apologize, sir. We're convinced he's behind this, but we have no concrete evidence. The police need it."

"Sometimes, Asher, playing by the rules isn't the answer," Randolph said wearily. "When your opponent fights dirty, you fight dirtier. You're not the police—why do you need evidence?"

Asher lowered his eyes. He understood. The problem was Malfoy's recent return to London and his constant movement. His team had tracked him several times, only to find he'd already left. Asher explained the situation to Randolph. Randolph sighed deeply. After explaining the situation to the Winters family, Asher produced a bank card. "Uncle Randolph, please accept this."

Randolph's displeasure was evident. "Don't bother. Catching Malfoy would be far more meaningful."

For Thalia's sake, Asher maintained impeccable politeness. He nodded slightly. "Of course."

As Asher prepared to leave, Thalia closed her laptop. "Asher, I'll come with you."

Randolph's gaze fell on her, his expression darkening.

Thalia sighed. "Dad, they hurt you to draw me out. Only if I'm visible will you, Victoria, and Lucy be safe."

Victoria looked startled. "Thalia, we have security now—we should be fine. It's you who needs to be careful!"

Randolph snorted coldly. "If an alliance with the Blackwood family puts our lives at risk, perhaps this engagement shouldn't continue."

Thalia froze. She understood he was deadly serious. The victims were her sister and father, not herself. She couldn't justify subjecting her family to danger for her own happiness.

"Dad," Thalia's voice was strained, "I'll talk this through with Asher."

Randolph's tone was grave. "Yes, you certainly should."

In the hospital's underground car park, the car's heating system created a cocoon of warmth. Asher removed his coat, revealing a black shirt and tie.

"Asher," Thalia began, "we need to talk."

Asher kept his eyes lowered. "What about?"

Thalia felt a sharp pain. The words were impossible to voice. But her family had been repeatedly harmed, and she couldn't selfishly prioritize her own love and happiness. Yesterday it was Lucy's kidnapping, today her father's injury. What would tomorrow bring? Victoria? Herself?