---- efforts will go to waste!" Normally, Gary would've lowered his head and apologized, ashamed. But today... her words sent a chill through him. After all, wasn't Nadia her daughter? Did she not feel even a shred of concern? His voice grew cold. "Mrs.Black, Nadia is my mate. No matter what she's done, hasn't she been punished enough?" "She's scheduled for a surgery tomorrow. Whether emotionally or morally-I have every reason to visit her." "You all love Jane. But if even I abandon Nadia... then what does she have left?" Beta Bill, standing nearby, blinked in confusion. When did he start caring this much about Madam Nadia? ---- Mrs. Black fell silent. For a long time, she said nothing. Then, quietly, she gave him the security code. After she hung up, Gary's words lingered in her ears. She couldn't stop the creeping doubt in her chest. Had she really gone too far? Just then, Mr.Black walked in. "Karen", he asked casually, is the soup ready? Jane is hungry." Karen, who had been pretending to clean while eavesdropping on Mrs. Black, was so startled by the sudden question that she dropped the bowl she was holding. The delicate porcelain shattered, the rich scent of the soup filling the air. The loud crash jolted Mrs. Black from her daze. She frowned. "Karen, what's gotten into you lately? You've been so absent-minded." The old maid bowed repeatedly in apology, but her ---- mind was far from the moment. All she could see was Nadia that night-coughing blood violently on the cold floor. Ever since then, she had been plagued by nightmares. In them, Nadia stood by her bed, eyes cold as ice. Why did you frame me? Why did you lie? The memory made Karen tremble. Mrs. Black, thinking she had frightened the woman too much, softened her tone. "It's alright. Go prepare another pot." She paused, then added, "Actually, make two. I'll take some home for Nadia this afternoon." "She's about to have surgery too. She needs the nourishment."