Third Person's POV
He worried most about her safety—where was she being held, and was she hurt?
On the night Richard appeared on the talk show, Nick watched too.
As soon as Richard got home, they erupted into a fight.
"How could you do this? Are you ashamed of my late mother? This is too much!" Nick yelled, feeling his father's words were a slap in the face for his mother.
Richard lit a cigarette and explained calmly, "Calm down. It's just a temporary move. How else could I draw Olivia out? Your search yielded nothing, and I'm running out of time."
"So because Mom's gone, you can use her however you like? I'm still alive! Do you want everyone to know I'm the child you had with a woman you didn't love?" Nick said bitterly.
When Richard was in prison, Nick had tried every means to save him.
Now that he was out, his life was more chaotic than ever.
"Nick, great achievements require sacrifice. I'm doing this for your future. You have to understand my position," Richard persuaded with rare patience.
"My future? Even if I take over Royal Wolf Pack, I'll forever be labeled a 'bastard'! You never loved me!" Nick was stuck in a loop of self-pity.
Richard was both angry and amused. "What nonsense! You're my only son. If not you, then who?"
Nick remained sullen and silent.
Finally, dawn broke.
After a long night, everyone awoke as if from a nightmare.
Olivia, sleepless all night, bought a new phone early in the morning and called Richard.
That morning, Emily woke up, glanced at the clock, and got up to change.
Opening her door, she saw Richard sitting on the sofa and greeted him, "Dad, up so early?"
Richard nodded. After a sleepless night, his eyes were sunken, and a gloomy aura surrounded him.
"I'll make breakfast," Emily said, heading to the kitchen.
The father and son had been plotting many things recently, and all the servants had resigned.
Emily became the only woman in the house, taking on all the chores and cooking.
The former lady had not only learned to shop at supermarkets but also bought cookbooks to study, transforming into a caring and filial daughter. Even Richard praised her change.
Emily was busy in the kitchen, taking out eggs, bread, and heating milk.
While stirring, her fingers tightened around the spoon, tempted to poison the milk.
But she resisted—she only wanted to get back at Richard, not involve Nick.
This brother, though not close to her, had always been considerate growing up, and his character was far more upright than their father's.
After preparing breakfast, Emily noticed the empty sofa.
She tiptoed to Richard's room and overheard him on the phone.
Holding her breath, she pressed her ear to the door.
Though she couldn't hear everything, she caught snippets, "Give her some food first… don't let her die…"
Emily's heart raced. As she tried to listen more, Nick's door suddenly opened.
She quickly retreated to the living room, pretending to tidy up dishes.
"Emily, thanks," Nick said, looking at his transformed sister with guilt.
"Nick, what are you talking about? Both you and Dad need care. I have nothing better to do; doing chores is the least I can do," Emily smiled.
"I didn't expect your cooking to be so good. I underestimated you before," Nick smiled back.
"I learned while taking care of Grandpa and Grandma. They always praised me. But I've been out of practice lately. I'm glad you like it," Emily said, her resilient nature showing through.
"Nick, are you going to the company today? I heard preparations are almost done. I'm really happy for you!" Emily asked with concern.
"Almost. It officially opens next month. If we need more hands, would you help?" Nick walked to the table and took a sip of milk.
Emily stared at the milk, breaking into a cold sweat as she recalled her earlier impulse.
"Dad didn't sleep well last night, did he? He looks awful. Is he in trouble?" she asked, pretending to worry.
Nick, aware of his father's plans but warned by Richard to be wary of Emily, vaguely replied, "Not sure. Maybe he's discussing a collaboration."
Emily's alarm bells rang.
Since Richard stopped using her, she'd been kept out of their core affairs—she was still an outsider to them.
"Is that so? I'm worried he's too tired. I'll cook something nice tonight," she said, changing the subject.
Hearing this, Nick felt a wave of guilt.
Emily had been devoted to them, yet they treated her like an outsider. It was unfair.
At that moment, Richard ended his call and entered the dining area, his expression still heavy.
"Dad, should I visit Grandpa and Grandma today?" Emily asked during breakfast.
"Stay away for a few days," Richard replied coldly.
"Then I'll meet Baldwin at noon. He invited me to dinner and promised a gift."
Richard glanced at her. "You've been close to Baldwin lately? Forgotten about Blake?"
Emily's heart skipped a beat, but she feigned annoyance. "He's married. What's there to think about?"
A flicker of sadness crossed Nick's face.
He and Emily were kindred spirits in unrequited love.
One pined for Blake, the other for Catherine. Now, seeing the loved ones happy together was nothing but ironic.