She took a few steps forward, bent slightly, and tugged his arm. "Uncle Cameron?"

There was still no movement. His head was tilted to one side, exposing his neck. He lay motionless.

This reassured Rhea. She took a small bottle from her pocket. Looking at the vial's contents and then back at the unconscious Cameron, she squinted, as if making a decision. Quickly, she produced a mask and syringe.

After putting on the mask, she drew the bottle's contents into the syringe and injected it into the back of his neck.

The three of them waited impatiently in the living room. Fabian was unsure if Rhea's method would work or if she had successfully convinced Cameron. Maria worried about her daughter; Anastasia worried her father would concede, yet she was also curious about the secret.

After an hour, they hadn't left the room. Finally, Maria could sit still no longer. "It's been so long. Let me go have a look."

"What are you going to do? This much time means it's serious. You'll stir up trouble barging in now! Our current situation is all because of your nosiness! You meddle in things that don't concern you!" He restrained her, complaining.

Maria bristled. "What do you mean I meddle? You spend your days drinking with those cronies! Tell me, do you care about this family? You're pointing fingers at me?"

"Look at you! Your business is falling apart—where are your friends now? Are they here to help?"

"Okay, okay! Enough! I might as well be talking to a brick wall!" He waved impatiently.

"Is that any better? You pick fights with our daughter, creating family tension. Now she doesn't even tell us anything!" Maria's anger grew. She'd given so much to this family, yet watched it fall apart.

She wiped her eyes, turning to Anastasia, who sat cross-legged. "Tasia, you know how we've treated you. Forget your uncle—what about me? Haven't I treated you like my own daughter? Rhea did what she did out of jealousy. It was wrong, but she still cares. She didn't kill you, did she? Can you forgive her for your aunt's sake?"

"Aunt Maria, are you saying I should thank my cousin for not killing me?" Anastasia's sarcastic laugh echoed. It was absurd. While grateful for Maria's care, her father had also helped them. However, they were greedy, always wanting more. And Rhea's supposed lack of killing intent? A joke.

Just as Maria was about to respond, she heard footsteps from inside. Her spirits lifted; she walked toward the room, eager to see what had happened. Anastasia also stood, watching the two emerge, one after the other.