b240 /bA Father’s Line in the bSand /b

bSamuel /bblooked /bat his daughter—confused, shaken, lost.

For some reason, his thoughts drifted back to her childhood.

His wife had passed far too carly, and he’d been buried in work, building the business.

bHe /bhad missed so much of her growing up.

A pang of guilt softened his resolve.

“Apologize!” he barked, voice rising sharply.

Themand snapped Grace out of her daze.

She turned to Scarlett.

A

The hallway light spilled behind Scarlett, stretching her shadow long across the floor.

As Grace looked at that figure, she suddenly realized–Scarlett had never once raised her voice.

And yet she’d peeled away everyyer of Grace’s schemes and lies like a surgeon with a scalpelb, /bcutting deep and clean.

She slumped on the ground, listening to her father’s pained sighs.

For the first time, she understood what it meant to be truly beyond redemption.

“Ms. Lane… I’m sorry,” she rasped.

Her voice was hoarse, as if every word had to be dragged out through sheer force of will, as if she were strangling her pride just to speak.

“I… I lost control.”

“I crossed the line.”

“I know a simple apology might not be enough.”

“You can name your terms. If it’s within my power, I’ll make it up to you.”

Scarlett looked down at her.

That arrogant, condescending woman from earlier had vanished.

What was left of Grace was hollow–defeated. Like someone whose spirit had been drainedpletely.

“You really want to apologize? Fine Then answer my question.”

“Why did youe here? Why target me?”

Grace didn’t think it was a difficult question and tried to rise.

But Samuel’s cane shot out, stopping her mid–motion and forcing her to stay half–seated on the ground.

She blooked /bpitiful bnow/bb–/bon purpose.

Scarlett understood the bmessage/bb. /b

Samuel was trying to appeal on his daughter’s behalfb. /b

He wanted the hypnotist–her–to continue helping.

And he hoped Scarlett wouldn’t take revenge.

After all, the guards were still frozen in ce.

And Grace still had a silver needle embedded in her neck.

Samuel had noticed it all–but hadn’t stopped her.

Which meant, at the very least, he wanted Grace to learn a lesson.

Still, blood was thicker than water.

He had to leave her a way out.

Scarlett let out a coldugh.

There was no point pressing further–Samuel wasn’t going to let his daughter say anything worse than she already had.

“Mr. Samuel, this is your family matter. I shouldn’t be getting involved.”

Samuel immediately shook his head.

“She acted recklessly. Spoke out of turn. She was wrong.”

“And when you’re wrong, you face the consequences.”

“Starting today, she’s no longer managing thepany.”

Grace’s eyes widened.

Dark rage seemed to rise behind them.

But just as the veins in her neck began to bulge, they brushed the needle–and whatever was surging inside her, died down again.

Her gaze remained lucid.

But resentment still lingered in her heart.

“Dad, I canpensate her financially. I’ll even publicly support her on behalf of the Kramer family.”

“Why do you have to strip me of everything?”

Samuel gritted his teeth.

She really was hopeless.

Scarlett was close with Jasper–and even bJack /bhad gone out of his bway /bbto /bbsupport /bher

She didn’t care about money.

Bringing uppensation now was just another insult.

He couldn’t hold back anymore.

He marched over and pped Grace across the face.

She froze.

It felt like the sky had copsed.

She’d lived in luxury her whole life. No one had ever dared strike her.

This was the first time.

Samuel didn’t give her a chance to react.

“You still won’t admit you were wrong? Clearly, I’ve spoiled you too much.”

“From now on, I’m taking over everything personally.”

Then, he turned to Scarlett and bowed his head.

“Ms. Lane, I’m sorry you had to witness our family’s shame today.”

“Rest assured, I’ll take care of it. It won’t affect your next visit.”

Scarlett nced at Grace, nowpletely unmoored and visibly shaken.

Her anger had been spent.

“Alright.”

She turned to leave.

Samuel quickly followed.

“The needle in her neck…‘

“Take it out in an hour,” Scarlett said without stopping.

“No, I mean…” Samuel lowered his voice. “Ms. Lane, I trust you. The way you acted just now–was it because something’s wrong with Grace’s health?”

Scarlett paused mid–step.

She had to admit-

A man who’d managed the Kramer family for decades and held his ground in Jandale’s upper circles wasn’t easy to fool.

Even with everything that had happened, most people would assume she’d just acted out of anger.

That the drug packets were merely to make them ufortable, and that the needle bjust /bbneeded /bban /bantidote.

But Samuel had seen past that.

Still-

Why should she tell him the truth?

She wasn’t some selfless saint.

Letting Grace off this easily was mercy enough.

“I haven’t done any tests. I’m not sure,” she replied coolly. Completely by the book.