Standing outside the gate, she peered through the iron bars at the scene unfolding within.


    Inside, Charles and Dahlia had just returned from a g. Amidst the rain, Charles sheltered Dahlia as they reached the doorway.


    Dahlia stepped out from Charles'' embrace, tiptoeing to brush the raindrops from his shoulders. Charles gazed down at her with a tender look, his eyes full of indulgence.


    Watching this scene felt like a bucket of ice water was dumped over Evelyn''s head, chilling her to the bone.


    Memories surged forward.


    Charles always showed unfounded favoritism and trust towards Dahlia. Even now, he wouldn''t have believed her if she hadid the evidence before Charles. Not to mention, the only witness was gone.


    If she used Dahlia of causing Charlie''s death, Charles would only think she was insane.


    Evelynughed bitterly, her eyes filled with sadness. She was powerless against Dahlia at this moment.


    The rain intensified. Evelyn turned away with difficulty, her departure marked by despair.


    The journey back was torturous. Each step felt as though she was treading on sharp des. The pain was piercing to the bone.


    Charlie...


    Dahlia killed her daughter, but she''spletely unable to retaliate against the murderer. Evelyn''s overwhelmed with guilt and self-reproach.


    Tears blurred her vision. With each step growing heavier, the world around her became increasingly faint.


    Evelyn''s strength failed, and she copsed in the rain.


    Across the street, a ck Maybach, having just arrived, braked urgently at the curb. The car door swung open, and Brooks, disregarding the need for an umbre, crossed the street briskly towards Evelyn. The driver hurriedly followed with an umbre.


    Brooks reached Evelyn in a few strides, refusing the driver''s offer to carry her, and lifted her from the ground himself, heading towards his car.


    ...


    At the hospital, Evelyn slowly opened her eyes, meeting a pair of concerned ones.


    It was Brooks.


    He said nothing, yet his eyes conveyed everything.


    Evelyn looked at Brooks and managed a weak smile. Her voice was hoarse as she sincerely thanked him, "Mr. Brooks, thank you."


    Brooks gazed back at her, his tone gentle. "No need to be so formal with me."


    Evelyn didn''t respond. She sat up in bed, reaching for her phone on the nightstand.


    John was implicated in extortion. After the police resolved the case and returned the money, Evelyn transferred eight hundred thousand back to Brooks, then got out of bed and bowed deeply to him. "Mr. Brooks, I''m very grateful for your help, time and again."


    Brooks looked at Evelyn, bowing before him. His raised hand fell back to his side. His voice returned to its usual coolness as he responded softly, "No problem."


    Then, he turned and left.


    Only after the door to the hospital room closed did Evelyn slowly stand. She stared in the direction Brooks had left in.


    He was someone she could not afford to have.


    Evelyn


    o Changed clothes and went to


    her discharge everyth


    only to be informed that


    had been taken care of.


    She left the hospital.


    After the rainstorm, the sky cleared. Sunlight fell upon her.


    Evelyn tilted her head slightly, basking in the sunlight. The warm rays touched her skin, but she felt no warmth.


    Her fists clenched tightly as she thought, ''Charlie, I will not let Dahlia go unpunished for harming you.''