The return to China was quickly settled . Edward began preparing everything , while Amy sat in the studio , quietly looking at her paintings . Each canvas held her memories - some joyful , some painful . As she gazed at them , she seemed to see her past self again . That naive , love - struck Amy , full of romantic dreams . Now , after facing life and death , she no longer believed in love . But was this really what she wanted ? She didn't know . Maybe only after everything ended would she know if her heart could still hold space for others . Amy looked out the window where Edward was trimming the flower branches she'd planted . He always kept everything impeccably organized . Under Edward's arrangements , they soon boarded the flight back to China . On the plane , Amy watched the shifting scenery outside , her heart tangled with emotions . She didn't know what awaited her , but she was ready . As the plane touched down , Amy stepped onto familiar soil . She exhaled deeply , as if expelling every trace of the past . " Amy , Gerald has been waiting . " A middle - aged man in a black suit approached them , his manner respectful . Amy hadn't expected the Johnsons to find her the moment she landed . 0.00 % 10:23 Chapter 15 288 Voushars She glanced at Edward , whose calm expression showed no surprise at their appearance . The man continued , " Gerald hopes you'll visit the Johnson manor house . He has something to Say " Amy frowned . She didn't want to face the Johnsons so soon . Yet she burned to know what Gerald would tell her . Edward gently squeezed her hand . " I'll go with you . " Amy nodded and followed the man into the Johnsons ' car . The vehicle raced through the streets , soon arriving at the Johnson manor house . Standing again in this familiar place , memories crashed over Amy . Being falsely accused of seducing her uncle . Her dog beaten to death . Humiliated , shackled hand and foot ... Amy drew a shaky breath , steadying herself . She walked inside and saw Ethan kneeling on the floor . His eyes lit up when he spotted her - then dimmed as he noticed Edward beside her . " Amy , you're back . " Gerald's voice was icy . He shot Ethan a scathing glare , radiating disgust at his failure . Ignoring Gerald's tone , Amy nodded coolly . " Yes , I'm back . " 11 Gerald rose and circled her , scrutinizing every inch . " You've changed . " He spoke slowly , weariness lining his words . 10:23 Chapter 15 288 ( Vouchers Amy gave a hollow laugh . " People change . Don't they ? " Gerald dropped the subject and pivoted sharply : " I know you resent the Johnsons . But today , hear me out . Amy's brow furrowed . She couldn't decipher the family's game . She nodded . " Speak . " Gerald Johnson sighed , - " The Johnson family hasn't been what it used to be these years . I've reflected deeply - we've wronged you ! " " I was mistaken before , believing Ruth's one - sided story and treating you so terribly . " " We've searched for ways to make amends , yet found none . " " I know Amy has built her own life now , but I still hope you'll forgive the Johnsons ... forgive Ethan . " Amy listened silently , her face expressionless . These words meant nothing to her . What mattered was Gerald Johnson's true purpose . Finally , he reached the point . " I still hope Amy will return to save the family from this crisis . ་ ་ So that was it . Ethan's recklessness had plunged the Johnsons into scandal . Their businesses suffered varying losses . " We'll pay any price if Amy helps . " Amy's eyes flashed with scorn . " So this is why you sought me out ? " Did they truly think empty words could erase their cruelty ? 10:23 D Chapter 15 Mr. Johnson nodded , gaze pleading . Amy didn't answer immediately , turning instead to Ethan . He watched her , eyes brimming with hope . A cold laugh rose in Amy's throat . Now she understood . This was always about Ethan . She met the old man's eyes . " I'm afraid I can't help . " Mr. Johnson's mouth tightened instantly . " Amy , I've asked nicely . Don't be ungrateful . " Amy smiled faintly , resolve steady . " Mr. Johnson , it's not ingratitude . I once devoted myself to your family, to Ethan . What did I gain ? " " Twice I nearly died . " " My baby gone . My dog beaten to death . Shackled like a criminal . " " And now you expect me to save the Johnsons over a flimsy apology ? " Her quiet voice cut like knives , turning Gerald's face ashen . Ethan shot up . " Amy , that was all my fault ! Hate me , but don't speak to Grandpa like this ! " " Ethan ! " Mr. Johnson thundered . " Let her speak ! " Amy watched the grandfather and grandson , bitterness twisting her lips . " Ethan , why play the dutiful grandson now ? Where was this softness when you were destroying me ? " She turned to the patriarch . " Do you know what your precious grandson did ? He drugged me with contraceptives , made me a stand - in for his lover , and signed my 10:23 Chapter 15 294 Wouchers confession to jail me . " Mr. Johnson's cane thudded against the floor . " Enough ! " " Not nearly enough ! " Amy's eyes burned crimson . " I came today to say this : I'm no longer your puppet to control ! " Edward stepped forward at the right moment , wrapping an arm around Amy's trembling shoulders . " Mr. Gerald , Amy isn't feeling well . We'll take our leave now . " Watching them walk away together , Ethan wanted to chase after them , but Gerald's sharp command stopped him cold . " Stop ! Haven't you embarrassed yourself enough? " Ethan closed his eyes in anguish . " Grandfather , I can't live without her ... " " You disgrace ! " Gerald trembled with rage . " You've destroyed our family business dynasty over a woman ! Get to the office and handle this crisis now , or face the Family Tribunal ! " Outside the Johnson manor house , Amy's legs buckled , nearly sending her to her knees . Edward swept her into his arms . " Don't be afraid . It's over . " She buried her face in his chest , tears soaking his shirt . " Edward , I'm so tired ... " " Sleep . I'm taking you home . " Amy awoke in a hotel suite . City lights glittered beyond the floor - to - ceiling windows , casting fractured patterns across the walls . A glass of water sat on the nightstand beside Edward's note : 10:23 Chapter 15 288 Vouchers " Urgent business . Back soon . Order room service if hungry . Stay put . " Amy traced the handwriting with her finger , smiling faintly . Her phone showed dozens of missed calls - all from Ethan . As she moved to power it off , a news alert flashed : Johnson Group Stocks Plunge as Heir Ethan Johnson's Public Breakdown : Kneels Begging for Reconciliation Below was Ethan kneeling outside her hotel . Amy's breath caught . She rushed to the window . There he was - kneeling at the main entrance , surrounded by reporters . Her phone rang again . Unknown number . " Ms. Garcia ! Please see Mr. Johnson ! He's been kneeling for six hours - this could kill him ! " Ethan's assistant . " That's his problem , " Amy said icily . " Not mine . " She hung up , yanking the curtains shut . But memories flooded her - sweet and agonizing - choking her breath . Sudden pounding shook the door . " Amy ! I know you're there! Five minutes ! Just five ! " Ethan's voice . 10.23 Chapter 15 Amy bit her lip bloody , silent . " Open this door or I'll keep knocking ! " Fists hammered against wood . Just as Amy neared breaking point , scuffling erupted outside . Edward's furious shout cut through : " Have you lost your mind , Ethan ? " " Back off ! This is between Amy and me ! " Amy yanked the door open . Both men froze , staring at her . Tear tracks streaked Ethan's face , his suit crumpled beyond recognition . " Amy ... " He reached out , hand shaking . She retreated behind Edward . The movement crushed Ethan completely . He staggered to his knees . " I know I was wrong ... I truly know ... Please come back ... " Edward shielded Amy , his voice icy . " Ethan , stop making a scene here . Amy ended things with you long ago . " " No ! It's not over ! " Ethan suddenly produced a knife from his pocket . " Amy , if you don't want me anymore , what's the point of living ? " Amy's eyes widened in terror . " Ethan ! Drop the knife ! " " Then promise you'll come back to me ! " Ethan pressed the blade against his wrist , obsession burning in his eyes . Edward discreetly triggered the alarm while trying to calm him . " Stay calm . Put it down . Let's talk this through . " 10:23 Chapter 15 298 Vouchers " Shut up ! " Ethan roared . " This is all your fault ! If you hadn't stolen her away , Amy would never have left me ! " As the blade broke skin , Amy swallowed hard . " Ethan ! I promise ! Just drop the knife ! " Ethan's eyes lit up . " Really ? " " Yes ! Put it down ! " Amy began moving slowly toward him . Edward tried to hold her back . " Amy , don't go ! " In that split second , Ethan lunged , driving the knife toward Edward ! " Die ! " Amy's ears rang , the world spinning violently . She remembered her nightmare - Edward lying before her , covered in blood . " Edward , watch out ! " Without thinking , Amy threw herself in front of him . The sharp blade pierced her abdomen . Blood gushed instantly . " Amy ! " Ethan dropped the knife in horror . Amy collapsed into the spreading crimson , her vision blurring . She saw Edward frantically rushing to hold her , saw Ethan frozen on the floor , saw police officers pinning Ethan down ... In her fading consciousness , Edward's anguished cry tore through the air : " Amy ! Stay with me ! The ambulance is coming ! " Amy wanted to wipe his tears , but her strength was gone . Maybe this is for the best ... Everything ... is finally coming to an end ... 10:23 Chapter 16 Chapter 16