Victoria asked, “Andrew, do you think I’m just too useless now?”

Andrew felt his heart clench painfully for that brief moment. “Victoria, I’m going to restore your energy core!”

Even he found his own words hollow and pale.

Victoria looked at him and forced a faint smile. She tried to act like she did not care, but he could feel the bitterness and helplessness beneath it.

She said, “With Fallen Grace and Death’s Draught plant combined, even a miracle worker couldn’t help. You’ve already done the impossible just by keeping me alive. As for my energy core and martial arts, don’t waste your time thinking about it. It’ll only trouble you.”

She even joked, “It’s fine. From now on, I’ll just settle for being a housewife.”

Andrew took a deep breath and emphasized once more, “Victoria, I will definitely restore your strength.”

As a martial artist, he understood all too well what the destruction of one’s energy core meant.

Victoria would probably rather die than live as a cripple. She had been strong all her life, and now she could barely lift a finger. The martial arts she had taken pride in were gone, stripped from her like a cruel execution.

When she started coughing again and a cold flush spread across her face, Andrew quickly moved to help her back to bed.

However, she looped her arms around his neck instead. Her almost translucent skin was right before him, her gaze soft and hazy.

“You brat, from now on, I’m just a weak, useless woman. Before I die, I’ll have to rely on you to take care of me,” she murmured.

Andrew pushed away the strange tug in his chest and forced a grin. “With a face like yours, Victoria, you could live off your looks alone.”

She rolled her eyes and let out a relaxed sigh. “Smooth talker. But maybe it’s not so bad. No more pushing myself in competition, no more hurting my body. I’m tired of it all. Andrew, go handle your business. I’m exhausted and want to rest.”

He nodded, gently settling her into bed before stepping outside. As soon as he turned, he saw someone standing at the door: Tiana.

“Mrs. Rhodes? What are you doing here?” he asked in surprise.

She gave a cold smirk. “What, am I not allowed? Or did I almost walk in on a tender little moment between you and your Victoria?”

Andrew frowned. “Mrs. Rhodes, now’s not the time for sarcasm.”

Realizing she had crossed a line, Tiana gave a short huff. “Fine, I’ll take that back. But Andrew, don’t tell Victoria you’ve gone to war with the Driscoll family. With her temperament, she’d lose sleep and appetite over it.”

“I’ve already kept that in mind. She won’t know,” Andrew assured her.

Tiana nodded. “Good. Now go. I’ll stay and speak to her for a moment.”

Andrew did not move, so she urged him on. “Go. Don’t worry, I won’t do anything. Victoria and I may have spent half our lives despising each other, but now that she’s lost her martial arts, I’ve let it go. Even if she pushes me, I won’t hold it against her.”

Only then did Andrew reply, “Mrs. Rhodes, I’ll leave it to you to keep watch over the Peck residence.”

As soon as he stepped outside, he moved without pause. “Next stop.”

George and the others stiffened. They all knew that the real battle was about to begin.

Chapter 1966