Ch. 3411..3420

Chapter 3411 He's Been Waiting For You For Ages The security guard remained completely unfazed.

This was because the village chief was his uncle, and in their tight-knit community, they always stuck together and never favored outsiders.

With directions from the people inside the ancestral hall, Hera found the village chief.

"You're the village chief, right?" Hera looked at the man in his fifties in front of her and spoke with an arrogant tone, completely unbothered.

"And you are?" The village chief, seeing her attitude, was puzzled. He had no idea whether she was an investor or someone looking to discuss a major partnership to bring development to their quiet village.

"It doesn't matter who I am. I see you have surveillance here, and I need to review your footage," replied Hera.

The village chief was even more confused. "Are you a police officer?"

"No." Hera frowned. She thought reviewing surveillance footage was no big deal. Why was this village chief being so difficult?

The village chief gave her a look as if she were a fool and turned back to continue drinking tea with his friends.

Hera felt completely ignored, and her anger flared. She pointed at him and shouted, "Are you deaf? I want to review your surveillance footage!"

"Why would you need to review our footage if you're not a police officer?" The village chief was not ignorant of the law and was not intimidated by her demands.

"You..." Hera's eyes darted around. She had assumed that with enough forceful attitude, she could intimidate these rural folk into complying, but they were not falling for it at all. An idea popped into her head.

"I've lost something." Hera slammed her hand onto their table, causing some of the tea to spill.

The village chief clicked his tongue in annoyance.

Those were premium black tea, and spilling even a little made him wince in pain.

"What did you lose?" The village chief grabbed a couple of napkins and carefully wiped up the spill.

"A ring. A ring worth hundreds of thousands. I'm sure I lost it here. I need to check the surveillance footage to figure out what happened." Hera fabricated the story on the spot. A ring worth hundreds of thousands?

The village chief looked at her suspiciously, but as he looked at her appearance, it seemed plausible. He took out his phone and said, "In that case, I'll help you report it to the police. When they arrive, we can immediately review the footage."

"Wait!" Hera did not plan on involving the police.

Once they arrived and saw the footage, they would realize she was making it up and might even charge her for filing a false report. "Just let me see the footage. If it's not here, I won't say anything."

The village chief, ever cautious, realized her sole purpose was to view the surveillance. He shook his head and said, "There are procedures for accessing the footage."

"What procedures? Don't you want to help? How about I give you some money? Would a thousand dollars be enough?" Hera was already pulling out her phone to transfer the money.

"Why do you need to see our footage?" The village chief became wary.

Hera's lips twitched, and just as she was about to speak, she heard him add, "Could it be that you're trying to scout the place in advance to steal our things?"

The village chief's suspicion grew. Their ancestral hall housed many valuable treasures left by the older generations.

Hera was furious. "What could you possibly have here worth stealing? Ridiculous. Fine. If you won't let me see it, then forget it."

The village chief could not be bothered to argue with her. He picked up the intercom and spoke to the person on the other end, "Jimmy, come here for a minute."

Hera was about to leave when she saw the security guard who had argued with her earlier walk in.

When the security guard saw her, he immediately furrowed his brows and said, "Uncle, you're not actually listening to her, are you? She didn't want to pay earlier. I was just following the rules!"

"No, no." The village chief shook his head and spoke to him, "This person might be eyeing our ancestral hall's treasures. Get her out of here."

The security guard's eyes narrowed with suspicion. "Yes, sir!"

He then stepped in front of Hera with a menacing expression. "Please leave, or we'll have to call the police."

Hera immediately cursed, "You actually dare to call the police? Do you know who my boyfriend is? And besides, I paid to get in here! Why should you kick me out? You're asking for a complaint to the consumer association!"

The village chief snorted. He was not afraid of complaints.

Their ancestral hall had recently been named the most culturally rich and influential landmark in X City, as well as a popular tourist destination.

So, a complaint to the consumer association did not faze him at all.

If they did show up, he would simply claim they were concerned about her damaging the site, and that would be the end of it.

"Get her out of here, or we'll call the police!" The village chief let out a cold sneer, "By the time the police arrive, you can bring up your boyfriend if you like."

A flash of hesitation crossed Hera's eyes.

She knew Abel was powerful, with his own organization.

However, through her interactions with him, she realized that these groups were more likely to oppose the police, not work with them.

Therefore, while Abel could secretly help her deal with the village chief, he would not make a move that would directly go against the police.

At that moment, Hera understood that the situation was not in her favor, so she reluctantly decided to leave.

As she was leaving, she heard the security guard make a snide remark, "She really thinks she's some kind of young lady, huh? Pfft, she's not even worthy of being compared to the village chief's daughter."

The village chief had decided to renovate the ancestral hall, and it had brought the village significant income. Their end-of-year bonuses would be much larger than usual.

Hence, the village chief held a very high status in the eyes of the villagers.

Hera turned around with a cold, menacing look, and shot the security guard a murderous glare.

The guard did not flinch, unfazed by a woman's anger. He turned to the others and said, " Remember this woman. Put her on the blacklist."

"If she comes back, don't let her in. She might be here to steal from our village."

"Yes!" the other guards responded.

Hera was so furious that she almost choked on her anger.

She had relied on men to get money and was considered quite wealthy.

Wealthy people were usually well-liked wherever they went.

Now, she was being chased out by a mere security guard.

Hera pinned all of her frustration on Luca at the thought of it.

If it were not for her, Hera wouldn't have had to endure this humiliation today.

After Luca shook off Hera, she went straight to the villa.

As soon as she walked into the living room, she saw Gordan and Gale sitting on the couch chatting.

Both of them greeted her as soon as they saw her. "Good afternoon, Ms. Craw."

"Good afternoon." Luca smiled at them. She was not surprised to see them here since Luke needed their help in this area.

"Ms. Craw, the boss is upstairs. You should hurry up. He's been waiting for you for ages,"

Gale said cheerfully.

Now that he was no longer single and had Rain by his side, he did not feel uncomfortable seeing Luke and Luca expressing love in small, sweet ways.

After all, he could always share his tender moments with Rain.

However, things were different for Gordan.

As a single man, hearing Gale talk like that and remembering Luke's strange behavior when he found out Luca was coming made him shiver. He could not help but rub his arm, trying to shake off the goosebumps.

"Ms. Craw, Luke is about to go crazy waiting for you. You should go upstairs quickly," added Gordan, unable to bear the couple's sickening sweet display. Luca could not help but let out a soft laugh hearing the tone of his voice.

Chapter 3412 Nothing Felt As Comforting As Being In Your Arms Luca walked over to another couch and sat down. "I think I'll stay here. How about letting Luke come down so that we can all catch up? It's been a while since we've seen each other." Gordan's face fell. "Ms. Craw, are you doing this on purpose?"

Luca pretended not to know anything. "Doing what on purpose?"

Gordan quickly shook his head. "Nothing. Just go upstairs already. Brother Luke's been waiting for you."

Luca had intended to tease Gordan a little longer, but after not seeing Luke for the past few days, she found herself missing him deeply. Standing up with a smile, she said, "Alright, I won't tease you anymore. Oh, by the way, Mr. Gale, could you help me pick up a few things? Someone over there asked me to get them, and I couldn't refuse."

"Sure, no problem. What do you need?" Gale agreed immediately.

After handing him the list, Luca turned and headed upstairs.

Gale watched Luca leave from behind, nudging Gordan's arm. "Let's go. We should leave and give the boss and Ms. Craw some privacy."

"Man, my life is rough. Not only am I single, but now, I have to endure their lovey-dovey moments. As if that's not bad enough, I even have to clear out to give them space," exclaimed Gordan as he stood up reluctantly.

Gale left with him. When he heard what Gordan said, he mocked, "Didn't you used to say you dreamed of being single? And come on, the boss and Ms. Craw haven't seen each other in forever. Can't you just let them have a little time together?"

Gordan clicked his tongue. "I'm just saying. Don't take it so seriously."

"If you're feeling lonely, finish up your work and find someone already. Stop making excuses about being traumatized by your time with Vivian. You say you're not looking for anyone, but then you turn around and get jealous of other couples. At this rate, I'm starting to think you're not over Vivian." Gale's sharp tongue struck again.

He called it like he saw it and was not afraid to say it.

"That's enough!" Gordan's expression darkened. When he was about to defend himself, Gale cut him off.

"Alright, aright, I get it. You're not into Vivian. But the more you deny it, the harder it is to believe you."

Gordan snorted haughtily. "Hmph. Believe it or not, it's up to you."

"Ugh. Why are you acting so much like a woman? All arrogant and pouty. It's disgusting." This time, it was Gale's turn to shudder. He rubbed his arms as he muttered how utterly gross Gordan was acting.

"Come on, buddy. Don't you like me like this?" Gordan leaned into the joke, trying to gross Gale out even more.

"Knock it off, Gordan. Act normal, or people might think you've been knocked on the head or something!" Gale quipped, laughing as they playfully bickered on their way out of the villa.

Luca arrived on the second floor and pushed open the door to the master bedroom. Luke was seated at the vanity table, focused on work.

Luke looked up when the door was opened. His gaze was soft and warm. "You're here."

"Yes." Luca walked over to him and asked him in a soft voice, "Still busy with work?"

"It's nothing important." Luke saved his documents, shut down the computer, and pulled her into his arms. He held her tightly, as though he was trying to ease the ache of the past four years. Only after a long moment did he ask, "Was everything alright when you left?"

"It went smoothly enough. I got rid of her by heading toward the ancestral hall," replied Luca.

Luke nodded, leaned in, and gently kissed her on her cheek.

"You've been through a lot during this time." His kisses rained down on her, gentle and unhurried, each one laced with the unspoken ache in his words.

A warmth spread through Luca's chest. "It hasn't been that hard. As long as we can reunite as a family in the end, everything I've endured will be worth it."

"Luca, everything is almost ready. As soon as he makes his move, we'll act too. The day our family can be together again is not far off," said Luke as he gently caressed her cheek.

Even though Luca did not voice it, he could see the exhaustion in her eyes.

The time apart had clearly been hard on her. Nights without him likely were not as peaceful as the ones when they were together.

The gentle rhythm of his touch brought a wave of sleepiness over Luca. She buried her face in his chest and closed her eyes.

"Sleepy?" Luke asked in a low voice.

"Yes, a little," admitted Luca, "Honestly, I haven't been sleeping well while you were gone. Even after locking the door and dealing with everyone who needed to be taught a lesson, I still couldn't fully relax. I kept worrying something might happen."

What she feared most was Abel causing trouble in the middle of the night.

She was Luke's wife, and Abel often targeted her out of spite.

Over time, Luca had become accustomed to staying vigilant.

"If you're tired, get some rest." Luke's heart was aching for her. He lifted her in his arms and gently placed her on the bed.

Luca hesitated for a moment, wanting to mention that she was not exactly clean. However, knowing he would not care, she settled in. Tugging on his sleeve, she asked, "Luke, will you stay with me for a while?"

"Of course." Luke gazed at her, nodding as he removed his jacket and lay down beside her. He wrapped her tightly in his arms.

Luca let out a contented sigh.

As expected, nothing felt as comforting as being in his arms.

The small bed back in the small villa was barely big enough for one person. It was uncomfortable and cramped with the two of them. Yet those nights had been the most restful for Luca.

Even if it was a bit tight, Luke's presence gave her a sense of security, making her sleep more peaceful.

"Nothing feels as comforting as being in your arms," said Luca. A faint smile tugged at her lips. "I hope the day we can all be together comes soon. I want our family, and everyone who has helped us, to be safe and happy."

She was not someone who wished good fortune on everyone, only for those who had supported and cared for them. She hoped they could live lives free of worry and remain healthy.

"We'll all be safe," Luke reassured her, understanding her concerns.

Taking down the Island of Despair would not be easy. However, those who followed him were determined to bring down the organization.

It was not just because they were friends but because the very existence of the Island of Despair had already angered too many.

Luke knew the fight against the Island of Despair was inevitable.

Even if he did not lead the charge, others would rise to the occasion. No country or organization in the world would tolerate such a dangerous and uncontrollable group. After the storm of their confrontation, the Island of Despair was destined for destruction. Luke glanced down at the woman in his arms. She had already drifted off to sleep. Luke's lips curved into a soft, tender smile as he pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. Carefully tucking the blanket around her, he quietly picked up his phone from the side and snapped a few photos of Luca as she slept. Then, he sent the photos to their three kids, reassuring them that their mother was safe and sound.

He also reminded them to be on their best behavior and listen to their great-grandfather so that they would not cause any worry.

Soon, they would all be reunited. Luca slept deeply for two full hours.

Chapter 3413 To Ensure Her Safety When she opened her eyes again, the sky outside had already darkened slightly.

Luca mumbled, feeling the warmth beside her. She instinctively curled closer. "What time is it?"

"It's a little past five." Luke gently rubbed her back, offering a quiet comfort to help her feel at ease.

Since he could not be there beside her, he could only make these small gestures to bring her some peace of mind.

"An entire afternoon just passed like that..." Luca was reluctant to leave at the moment. Her slender fingers lightly pressed against his chest.

Luke took her hand in his, bringing it to his lips for a soft kiss, holding it as if it were something precious and tenderly stroking it.

Luca's hands had once been delicate and smooth, but during their time in the small villa, they had become much rougher.

"You've got calluses." Luke felt sorry for her.

Luca gently traced her finger over his lips, leaning in to plant a soft kiss on him. "It's just from the needlework and the experiments I've been doing. It's nothing. They'll heal after a while."

She did not tell him that besides the experiments, she had also been working out. The calluses were from the training.

Luke examined the calluses on her hands carefully. While he did not know exactly what she did during her experiments, he could tell from the spots where the calluses had formed.

Luca wanted to grow stronger, so she would not hold them back during their missions. His woman was always thinking about him and their safety.

Luke pulled her close, buried his face in her hair, and let out a sigh. "I really don't want you to leave."

"I don't want to go back either." Luca hugged him tightly.

They stayed like that, wrapped in each other's arms, until it was almost 6:00 am. Then, they headed downstairs.

By then, Gordon and Gale were already sitting in the living room.

When they saw Luke and Luca come down, Gordon could not help but whistle. "Well, well, look who it is."

Luke shot him a fierce glare.

Gordan smirked and shut his mouth, wisely holding back any further teasing.

Luke's protective instincts toward Luca were no joke. If Gordan said another word, he might end up being the one to take a beating after Luca left.

Although Gordan was not bad with his fists, Luke's punches were ruthless and he would not show mercy.

Gordan did not want to cause any trouble before their operation started. He could not afford to be embarrassed in front of everyone.

Gale stood up and pointed at the shopping bags in front of him. "Ms. Craw, everything on the list is here. All bought and ready."

"Thanks. How much do I owe you? I'll transfer it," replied Luca.

"No need. It wasn't much." Gale shook his head. The things on Gerald's list were not worth much. The only expensive item was the pack of cigarettes. Still, even that was not anything particularly valuable.

Gale thought to himself that he was not that poor. He could afford this little amount and did not need Luca to cover it.

Besides, Luca was a benefactor to both him and Rain. If she had not opened his eyes, he might still be oblivious to his feelings for Rain.

Luca glanced at Luke.

"I'll handle it," said Luke, knowing that Luca was not the type to take advantage of others. He would make sure to pay Gale later.

Luca nodded, picked up the bags, and was ready to leave.

Luke immediately took the bags from her. "I'll walk you."

Luca shook her head, firmly refusing, "I can go by myself. You don't need to come. Abel is still in X City."

She did not want to risk him exposing himself.

Luke let out a sigh and could only watch her leave from the doorway.

As he watched Luca walk farther away, his gaze remained distant, lingering without returning.

"Luke, you're turning into a statue," teased Gordan.

Luke reluctantly pulled his gaze back and shot him a sharp, cutting remark, "At least I have someone to look at. You've got no one."

Gordan froze on the spot.

Luke's words really hit hard!

Gale, overhearing their conversation, struggled to hold back a laugh. He did not feel sorry for Gordan at all. His sharp mouth was bound to get him into trouble.

Gordan turned to look at Gale with a sulky face.

Gale pretended not to see and instead reported the intel he had gathered when they went out earlier.

"Boss, Abel has made a move," reported Gale. "We received news that Abel started mobilizing most of the Island of Despair's people to their bases in A City this morning. There are now several ethnic faces coming and going at two of the bases there, and nearby hotels are fully booked with foreigners.

"The hotel staff said they've never seen such a large-scale reservation and assumed they were tourists. But they were also curious why these foreigners would be staying in such a remote area, in hotels of their caliber.

"The hotel manager, worried something might happen, reported it to the relevant departments. Now, those foreigners are being watched, and if they make any moves, the authorities will intervene, even arresting them if necessary."

"That's one way to say it, but to maintain international peace, they won't just arrest anyone without proof," Gordan added knowingly. "Unless they know how dangerous these people really are."

"No way. That'll alert them." Gale shook his head, indicating that this approach would not work.

Everything they did was in the shadows, and they would not reveal anything to people they could not fully trust.

They were careful because they feared Abel might have placed spies among them.

Gordan nodded, having already considered this. Sometimes, risks had to be taken for a bigger reward.

They both looked at Luke. They were waiting for his decision.

Luke spoke up, "I'll have people keep an eye on A City,"

"Are you having Mr. Mallory and Mr. Holston keep an eye on things?" asked Gale.

"Yes," Luke replied with a nod. Yesterday, Percy had called to let him know he was back from his honeymoon.

He had to deal with some matters related to the Mallory family now, but if there was anything else that needed his attention, he was ready to take action anytime.

Percy had married Nina, and now, he could focus on other tasks. He was relieved that the most difficult issue had been resolved.

The remaining time could be dedicated to helping with the Island of Despair's situation. "With Mr. Mallory and Mr. Holston keeping an eye on things, we don't need to send anyone to A City for now. There's Ray in Russia too. This will ease a lot of our pressure. As long as we focus on X City, everything should be manageable," added Gale as he nodded. Their primary responsibility was to keep an eye on Abel.

Once they made their move, trapping Abel in X City would mean they were halfway to success.

Without Abel personally overseeing things, the Island of Despair would be thrown into chaos if attacked.

Luke suddenly asked, "Find out how many people Abel has sent to A City. I need to know how many are going to rescue Kassy."

Kassy was important to Abel.

If the number of people was small, it would mean Abel was just making a diversion. Luke needed to understand Abel's mindset. He did not want Luca to investigate as he had to ensure her safety. That was why he decided to take on more tasks himself.

Chapter 3414 Percy Cares For This Woman Immensely "'ll contact someone in A City to investigate," said Gale.

"Let Percy know while you're at it," added Luke. "He needs to be aware of this."

"Got it." Gale hurried off to handle the matter.

After taking Gale's call, Percy hung up and stared icily at the middle-aged man standing before him.

Under Percy's chilling gaze, the man nervously dabbed at the sweat on his forehead with a handkerchief.

"Mr. Mallory, my sincerest apologies..." The man, the director of the psychiatric hospital, had come to personally apologize to Percy today.

Karen had escaped.

Two days ago, Percy admitted Karen to the psychiatric hospital. After an evaluation, the doctors determined her condition warranted hospitalization, so she was admitted.

Even though Karen was against it, given her mental state and with the consent of an immediate family member, the hospital was legally authorized to proceed.

Percy had even informed the hospital to take special care of Karen. He had explicitly instructed them not to discharge her until she had fully recovered. To ensure this, he had made a generous donation to the hospital.

They had received the funding, yet the negligence on the part of the hospital staff had allowed Karen to escape.

The director felt like crying.

Losing the donation was one thing, but the potential damage to the hospital's reputation was far more serious. Their facility was not only renowned in A City but also across the country!

An incident like this a patient escaping from their psychiatric hospital-could cause a massive scandal.

That was why the director of the psychiatric hospital had come to confess to Percy, hoping to downplay the incident and find a way to salvage the situation. After all, they still had not located Karen.

"Do you think a simple apology will make this go away?" Percy instinctively picked up a cigarette.

Nina did not like him smoking. Therefore, Percy quit smoking a long time ago. Still, holding a cigarette helped him think.

The director wiped his sweat again and said, "I know this is a serious matter, and no amount of apologies can fix it. That's why I'm here, to find a solution. Our staff has searched everywhere but hasn't been able to locate Madam Mallory. We were hoping you could help us. Once she's back, I promise we'll take stricter measures to ensure this doesn't happen again."

No one at the hospital had expected Karen, a woman, to escape through multiple layers of security. It was impossible to believe she had not received any help.

They had no clue. Left with no other choice, the director had to turn to Percy.

Percy slammed the cigarette onto the table.

The director flinched.

"What is your hospital even doing?" Percy demanded coldly. "You let her escape, and now, you want her family to help find her? Is this what your hospital brags about in its ads?"

The director remained silent, too intimidated to respond.

"I remember telling you she didn't want to be admitted, didn't I?" Percy's voice was cold. The director nodded slightly. "Yes, you did. This was entirely due to our carelessness."

A trace of rage flashed across Percy's eyes. Sending Karen to the psychiatric hospital had not been his first choice. It was a last resort.

If Karen stayed out in public, she would only ruin his plans.

Old Master Mallory harbored a deep disdain for Karen, and the world's perception of her was equally unforgiving. The only shield she had left was the claim of her mental instability. Percy had no intention of cleaning up her messes anymore. That was why he had taken the drastic step of committing her to the psychiatric hospital. While receiving treatment, she would also be cut off from the outside world.

At least it would stop her from causing trouble during such a critical time.

If she upset Old Master Mallory, years of his hard work could be wiped away in an instant.

Just as Percy was considering sending someone to check if Karen had gone to Pierre's villa, his phone rang.

It was Nina.

His tense expression softened slightly. Nina should be working at this hour, so it was unusual for her to call.

He answered, "Nina, what's wrong?"

"Percy." Nina's voice was unsteady on the other end of the line.

Percy immediately sensed something was off. He frowned. "What happened?"

"I'm at Brilliant. Can you please come over? I need to talk to you." Nina's voice was trembling as if she had encountered something terrifying.

"Alright. I'm on my way. Wait for me," replied Percy, "Wait for me. I'll be there soon."

After he hung up the call, he immediately called Sue.

"Mr. Mallory, what's the matter?" Sue quickly answered.

"What's going on with Nina?" Percy asked directly.

"Did something happen to Nina? That shouldn't be. Oh, wait. Your mother came by earlier looking for her. Nina invited her into the office. Do you think something might have happened?" Sue suddenly remembered that Jason had mentioned Percy's mother was not in a good mental state.

Kicking herself for forgetting this detail, she stood up. "I'll go check it out."

"No need," replied Percy. At this point, no one should provoke Karen further.

Sue hesitated. "But what if Nina's in danger?"

Even though Karen was just one woman, a person with mental health issues could be far more unpredictable and dangerous than an ordinary person.

Last time, Karen slapped Nina across her face. When Sue heard about it, her heart sank.

If it were not for the timely intervention of the security guards, Nina might have suffered worse.

"I'm heading there now. Don't let anyone else intervene." Percy ended the call, grabbed his coat, and glanced at the director sitting across from him. "Once she's found, have your hospital staff ready with a tranquilizer gun."

"Understood." The director had just let out a sigh of relief but froze again when he heard about the tranquilizer gun. The severity of the situation became clear, and his legs wobbled.

If Karen ended up hurting someone or herself after escaping, the hospital's century-old reputation would be destroyed.

Regardless of whether Percy pursued legal action, the public's backlash alone could be catastrophic, possibly leading to an exodus of patients transferring to other facilities.

Realizing the gravity of the matter, the director followed Percy out. He contacted the staff to give them the address Percy had mentioned.

What should have been a 20-minute drive turned into just over ten as Percy ran several red lights, speeding toward Brillant's office. He arrived downstairs, got out of the car without a word, and headed straight upstairs.

The director trailed behind Percy and suggested, "Mr. Mallory, perhaps we should wait for my staff to arrive first."

"There's no time," replied Percy, "She's in the same place as my wife right now."

The director froze for a moment.

He knew that Percy had recently gotten married and had gone against the entire Mallory family and the company's shareholders to marry this woman. Despite the overwhelming opposition, he withstood the pressure and went through with the wedding.

Percy cared for this woman immensely.

Cold sweat kept dripping down the director's back. He hastily picked up his phone and urged the staff to hurry.

After hanging up, he realized Percy was already in the elevator heading upstairs.

When Percy stepped out of the elevator, Sue approached him from the other direction.

Chapter 3415 What's So Special About This Face Of Hers "Mr. Mallory, I didn't dare to go in. Nina and your mother are still inside." After Sue realized that Nina might be in danger, she had been waiting outside, unwilling to leave. She had been planning to rush in with the other employees if she heard Nina scream. Percy's expression darkened. He did not blame Sue for the situation, so he did not say anything. Instead, he quickly walked to Nina's office door and pushed it open.

The sight before him sent a chill through his veins, as though his blood had turned to ice.

"You're here?" Karen fixed her eerie gaze on the person who had opened the door. A strange, sinister smile curved at the corners of her lips. She stood behind Nina with a knife tightly gripped in her hand.

The sharp blade was pressed against Nina's neck, already leaving a faint red mark.

Sue gasped at the sight and instantly lost her composure.

Karen frowned in dissatisfaction, moving the knife slightly and muttering, "Why is there another woman here? Tell her to leave!"

Percy knew Karen's mental state was currently unstable, and the knife could easily cut Nina's throat at any moment.

His expression was dark as he said to Sue, "Leave. Now."

Sue realized that her earlier scream had upset Karen. Although she was worried about Nina, she did not want to make the situation worse, so she nodded and left.

The office door was closed.

Percy's gaze was cold as he fixed his eyes on Karen. "Let Nina go."

"Let her go? Why should I?" Karen's eyes gleamed with madness as she glanced down at Nina.

It was this woman who had caused her to end up like this.

"Whatever it is, come at me." Percy seized the opportunity to give Nina a reassuring look. He would make sure she was safe.

Nina, terrified to the core, forced herself to stay calm after catching Percy's gaze.

He would keep her safe.

"Come at you? That's what you think? You're my son. How could I bear to hurt you?" Karen's tone was soft, yet it carried the unmistakable hint of madness lurking beneath. Percy was all too familiar with this tone.

Back when Karen's mind was still stable, she would speak like this whenever she encountered problems.

If her words did not convince someone, she would descend into madness and resort to more violent methods to force others to comply.

Karen raised the knife, pressing its cold blade against Nina's chin. Nina's heart trembled, but she dared not move.

The blade was so close to her skin that a small misstep would cause her to bleed out.

"Percy, I've always been proud of you," Karen said slowly. "I might not have been all that involved with you growing up, and yes, I spoiled your brother more... Maybe that's why you turned out so rebellious, even getting involved with this woman. But everything I did was for your own good, you know?

"I didn't coddle you or pamper you because you're the heir Old Master Mallory favors. This way, you could grow better. The education you received as a child was far more than anyone else's, making you more capable.

"Though I never said it, you've always been my pride-my perfect child. But how could you be so rebellious?

"Just because I never said 'I love you' like other moms, you really think I don't care about you? The reason I don't say much or hover over you is because I want to make things easier for you.

"But how could you hurt me like this? You put me and your brother in this mess for this woman. You're supposed to be the future head of the Mallory family. How could you be this rebellious?

"It's this woman, isn't it? She's the one who's been influencing you," sneered Karen. She yanked at Nina's ponytail.

Nina gasped in pain, her head instinctively jerking backward. The knife shifted with her movement, slicing a shallow cut into her neck.

It was not deep, but the thin line of red blood sent a jolt of panic through Percy's chest.

He clenched his fist tightly, but he fought against the overwhelming urge to rush over and stop Karen.

If he acted recklessly now, Karen might grow even more agitated and hurt Nina. If she cut the carotid artery, the consequences would be too horrible to imagine.

"Put the knife down, and everything can go back to the way it was," Percy frowned and replied.

The only way to ensure Nina's safety was to get Karen to put the knife down.

"Do you think I'm stupid?" Karen lifted her head and laughed wildly. "If I put down the knife, you'll just ignore Pierre and maybe even send me back to that psychiatric hospital! Let me tell you, I'm not crazy. How could you, as my son, not believe me?"

Percy saw her hand tremble slightly, and his heart raced. He was worried that the blade would slice through Nina's neck at any moment.

"I believe you. You're not sick," Percy quickly responded, trying to calm her.

Karen smiled. Her grin was laced with madness that sent a chill straight to the heart. "Then why did you send me there? Was it this woman's influence? And is she behind what happened to Pierre too?

"If you had just let Luke's woman help me, Pierre wouldn't be disabled now. Percy, we used to be family. How did we end up like this? I thought about it, and it's definitely because of her. She's the one who's been manipulating you, making you disregard your family!" "Mom." When Percy uttered the word, he hesitated for a brief moment as though he was lost in thought.

Since the fallout with Karen, he had always distanced himself from her. He still referred to her as his mother, but he did it with a coldness that lacked affection.

It was a respectful title, but it carried no warmth.

Percy believed he was a cold-hearted person. No matter what his family did, it would not interfere with his decisions.

He only felt the need to fulfill his duties without getting too emotionally involved with his family.

Hence, when they opposed his relationship with Nina, he did not give in. Instead, he chose to pursue a life with her, regardless of their disapproval.

Karen paused for a moment. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears.

She had not heard that word in so long.

Just a little more and she would have let go of Nina and go to embrace Percy.

However, that feeling only lingered for a fleeting moment.

As her insanity returned, Karen became even more convinced that it was Nina who had ruined her relationship with Percy.

She pressed the knife harder against Nina's throat, the fair skin already reddening under the pressure.

"Don't hurt her!" Percy shouted in panic at the sight.

"Ha, so you're just temporarily giving in, hoping I'll let her go?" Karen's eyes narrowed. She had worked so hard to escape the psychiatric hospital, and she was never going back.

Percy nodded. "I'll do whatever you want as long as you let her go."

"Stop fooling me! I know you've stopped listening to me ever since you met this woman. Even though I've always had your best interests at heart, you won't hear me out because she's got you completely fooled."

Karen let go of Nina's hair and ran her fingers across her face. "What's so special about this face of hers? It doesn't even compare to the ones I picked for you before. Why are you so damn stubborn?"

Chapter 3416 Having A Weakness Makes It Easy To Be Brought Downnoveldrama Nina trembled when she was touched. Her whole body was shaking.

Karen's touch was icy cold, and when her hand fell on Nina's face, it carried a chill. "Don't hurt her!" Percy's voice was hoarse, his anger barely concealed in his eyes.

He was furious but kept reminding himself not to provoke Karen.

"Hmph, look at how nervous you are." Karen's patience wore thin. Without another word, she laid out her conditions. "If you want me to let her go, fine."

"What do you want me to do?" Percy knew the conditions she was about to propose would not be as simple as keeping her out of the psychiatric hospital.

It could involve Pierre.

Perhaps even the company.

Even though Karen had spoken to him about the high hopes she had for him, Percy did not believe a word of it. To her, from beginning to end, the only person who mattered was Pierre. Percy was merely a tool to secure her position in the Mallory family.

"See? You still care about this woman. You've disappointed me!" Karen glanced at Nina with disgust. How could such an ordinary woman capture Percy's attention to this extent?

She let out a soft, chilling laugh. Her expression teetered on the edge of madness. It was as though she might lose control at any moment and slaughter everyone in the room.

Nina's heart clenched with panic.

She had heard before that no matter who you deal with, you should never deal with someone from a psychiatric hospital. It would be terrifying when they lost it.

Nina felt a wave of regret. Why had she not told the employees to kick Karen out the moment she saw her?

Now, she was under Karen's control, and she was a weakness that Percy could not ignore. Regret consumed her.

All these years, she still had not managed to make herself better... She was still a burden to Percy.

Nina once thought that love could conquer everything.

Now, reality was screaming at her-love alone could not conquer everything. To overcome life's challenges, love needed to be paired with strength. She needed to be strong enough to stand her ground against the world.

Otherwise, she would forever be dragging Percy down.

Even though Percy did not seem to mind, Nina could not help but care deeply at this moment. She had always wanted to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with him, not be a weight on his back.

Still, life never went the way she wanted.

Not long after their blissful honeymoon, Karen showed up and turned everything upside down.

Bitterness surged in Nina's heart as she recalled what people had said at the wedding. They said they could not understand what Percy was thinking, choosing someone like her.

They said she must have bewitched Percy, or else how could he insist on marrying her with just her looks and skills?

Some even said that no matter how hard she tried, she would never deserve to stand by Percy's side.

Bitterness welled up in Nina's heart as she lowered her gaze to the blade. A dangerous thought crept in. What if she pushed forward? There would only be two outcomes -either Karen would hurt her and she would die, or she would somehow manage to escape this ordeal.

Nina made a small movement.

Before Karen noticed, Percy had already caught her movement. He quickly shook his head and asked again, "What do you want? Just say it."

Karen let out a cold sneer and spoke up without hesitation, "Fine, I'll get straight to the point. I want you to go to Luke and ask him to get Luca to help treat Pierre's leg."

"Fine," Percy clenched his teeth and agreed.

"And I'm not going back to that psychiatric hospital." Karen's eyes flickered with fear at the mention of it.

She was not mentally ill, yet Percy had forced her into that place with such heavy-handed methods. If she went back, there would be no way for her to ever leave again. The thought sent a shiver of terror through her.

For someone who was not sick, being confined to that kind of environment would drive them insane.

During her few days there, she had already felt her mental state deteriorating. It was as though she were being assimilated into the madness around her. That was why she urgently contacted her people to rescue her.

"You must agree to this, and we'll sign an agreement. If you violate it, all your properties will be transferred to me!"

Karen knew that Percy owned a significant number of properties.

If she could get her hands on them, she would be set for life even without the Mallory family's support.

"Fine," Percy agreed again without hesitation.

Karen's anger flared even more.

He was agreeing to all this just for Nina? He was willing to give up everything?

Fine. If that was how he wanted to play it, she would make him lose even more!

Karen believed that as his mother, everything he owned rightfully belonged to her. Since Percy was so determined to be with Nina, whatever he had now would eventually be passed on to Nina if she did not take it. Therefore, she made an even more outrageous demand. "I want 10% of Mallory Corporation's shares!"

The moment Nina heard Karen's demand, she wanted to shake her head and beg Percy not to agree.

He had worked so hard to stabilize Mallory Corporation just so they could be together.

If he gave up 10% of the shares, the company would surely be thrown into chaos again. All his efforts and sacrifices would go to waste!

Nina knew that if those shares fell into Karen's hands, they would ultimately benefit Pierre. Why should the man who hurt her so deeply get everything? Tears of frustration and helplessness rolled down Nina's cheeks.

She rarely cried, especially in front of Percy.

Nina never wanted to rely on tears to express herself, nor did she want him to see her as weak. However, she could not hold back any longer at this moment.

Nina hated her own weakness, but she hated Karen's favoritism even more.

Percy was such an outstanding person, yet Karen chose to dote on Pierre instead.

Clearly, Percy was her most exceptional son!

When Percy saw Nina's tears, he felt a sharp pang in his heart. Without hesitation, he said, "

Fine, I'll give you everything you want. Just let her go."

Karen sneered and looked down at Nina. "You might be of some use, after all. Fine. Percy, call your lawyer now."

"I'll keep my word, but you have to let her go first." Percy pulled out his phone while keeping a close eye on the knife in Karen's hand.

"I already told you, I'll only let her go when I see the lawyer!" Karen replied coldly, "If there's no lawyer, we'll just keep waiting here."

"I'll step out to make the call." Percy had no choice but to give in.

With the woman he loved most being held at knifepoint, he was destined to be the one to compromise.

Once a person had a weakness, they could be easily brought down.

"Go!" Karen's expression turned even more deranged.

The smile on her face grew wider as she thought about what she was about to gain.

Percy left the office.

Outside, the hospital director and the doctors from the psychiatric ward were already waiting.

"Mr. Mallory, what's the situation inside? We heard the patient is holding your wife hostage," the director asked immediately as Percy stepped out.

Percy's expression was hard, and his gaze was cold. "She's holding my wife at knifepoint."

"Well..." The director hesitated for a moment, then cautiously asked, "Should we call the police?"

"Yes, of course, we should!" Sue interjected as she turned to look at Percy. "Nina is in grave danger right now. We must call the police."

"No..." Percy frowned deeply.

Chapter 3417 What Are You Screaming For? Are You Trying To Get Yourself Killed?

"Mr. Mallory, won't you feel guilty if something happens to Nina?" Sue did not understand why he refused to call the police.

"It won't happen." Percy furrowed his brows as his mind raced to find a solution.

Sue was even more confused. "Just because you say it won't happen, does that mean it won't? Yes, Madam Mallory is your mother, but Nina is also your wife. If your mother harms your wife, shouldn't you call the police? Instead of doing that, you're leaving her in this dangerous situation. I honestly feel sorry for Nina."

Sue had always been straightforward. She thought Percy would protect Nina for life, but seeing him defend Karen at the cost of his wife's safety, she was deeply disappointed.

She felt she was in no position to feel sorry for Nina, but she could not understand Percy's actions.

Percy furrowed his brows. Calling the police was not an option.

The Mallory family could not afford this kind of turmoil.

If Old Master Mallory found out that he handed his mother over to the police or if Karen actually hurt someone, it would be a huge scandal. The consequences would be ugly.

Sue was about to explode with frustration when she noticed his silence.

Just as she was about to ignore his objections and go call the police, Percy spoke up, "I have a plan."

Everyone in the room, concerned about Nina's situation, turned their attention to him.

"A plan? What's your plan?" asked Sue. Her focus was solely on rescuing Nina.

"Prepare a share transfer agreement for Mallory Corporation," replied Percy as he turned to look at Sue.

Although she did not understand why he wanted to do this, Sue followed his instructions. Then, Percy turned to the director. "Find a doctor who's a stranger to her and have him pretend to be the lawyer. When she signs, knock her out with a syringe and take her away."

The director shuddered. It was too risky. "Mr. Mallory, perhaps we should consider another option."

He heard that Karen was holding a knife.

If the doctor did not act quickly enough and Karen noticed, the consequences would be unthinkable.

Either Nina would be hurt, or the doctor would be.

No matter what happened, the blame would fall on the doctor.

"Call the police?" Percy said coldly when he saw the director hesitated. "If I call the police, do you think your hospital can bear the responsibility for any mistakes?"

The director flinched and wiped his forehead with a handkerchief.

Turning to the doctors and nurses, he chose one who seemed unfamiliar. "Mr. Mallory, what do you think of this one?"

"As long as he can give an injection, that's fine," Percy stared at the doctor and reminded, " And don't panic no matter what happens. Just make sure the needle goes into her."

"Okay..." The doctor swallowed nervously. Even though this was not his first time injecting a patient, he still felt uneasy.

After all, he was dealing with Percy and his mother and wife.

All three were part of the Mallory family.

Each one of them was of remarkable status. He could not afford the responsibility if anything went wrong.

The director was also nervous. He pulled the doctor aside to go over the details and precautions.

The doctor nodded, then discreetly tucked the syringe into his sleeve.

Sue handed a fake share transfer agreement to Percy and said, "This is the one I had the lawyer prepare. I made some changes. Take a look."

Percy glanced at the agreement. Everything looked fine.

As long as it could calm Karen down, it would work.

Percy turned to the doctor, who met his gaze and gave a slight nod, signaling he was ready.

The two of them walked into the office, one following the other.

Karen's eyes narrowed the moment she saw someone else with Percy. "Who's this?"

"You wanted me to sign the share transfer agreement, so there needs to be a lawyer present. He's from Brilliant's legal department," explained Percy, handing the agreement to the doctor.

"I've already signed it. If there are no issues, you can sign as well, and the 10% of the shares will be transferred to your name."

Nina listened to Percy's words and immediately realized the person was not a lawyer but probably someone helping Percy with his plans.

Her nerves tensed. She thought to herself that whatever happened, she needed to stay sharp and not drag Percy down.

Both she and Karen became tense as they watched the man approach.

"Stay where you are," Karen suddenly instructed.

The doctor stopped. Although he was not a lawyer, he was a professional doctor. Handling a patient with mental issues was something he could manage calmly.

However, when he saw the sharp knife pressed to Nina's neck, he could not help but feel a wave of anxiety. He swallowed nervously.

"Just stand there and don't try any tricks." Karen was cautious. Then, she said to Nina, " Bitch, go get the agreement!"

Percy furrowed his brows in disapproval when he heard her calling Nina like that.

Even if she did not want to admit it, he and Nina were already married, and they were husband and wife. Karen should not be speaking this way to Nina, who was her daughter-in- law.

Unless Karen no longer considered him her son!

Nina, trembling with fear, took the agreement from the doctor.

"Hold it up," instructed Karen.

Nina had no choice but to listen to her.

With some distance between them, Karen suspected Nina was trying to stall. She pressed the blade harder against her skin. "I told you not to try anything. Hold the paper up so that I can see it clearly,"

Nina knew the lawyer was a fake. Hence, the agreement was likely a fraud.

However, Karen had once been a strong, powerful woman. Could she really be fooled by a fake agreement?

Nina had deliberately held the paper farther away.

However, she did not expect that in her unstable state, Karen would be even harder to deceive.

Feeling the sharp pain in her neck, Nina reluctantly brought the agreement closer.

Percy observed it all with a calm expression. This agreement had been obtained from the lawyer, so it was genuine. Moreover, he had already signed it.

Karen finally read through the entire document, scrutinizing every word. When she reached the last word, she smiled in satisfaction.

"Can you sign now?" Percy, knowing her well, could read her expressions like an open book. "Sure," replied Karen, extending her left hand. "Give me the pen."

Nina looked at Percy, seeking reassurance.

He gave a small nod.

"Move the knife away a little. I can't reach the pen." Nina stretched out her hand but was still unable to reach the desk.

Karen narrowed her eyes, then simply reached for the pen herself.

Nina flinched as she almost got cut. She let out a startled cry.

Karen jumped in shock. "What are you screaming for?! Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

Nina quickly bit back her cry.

Still, that small outburst had thrown Karen off balance.

Gripping the pen in her left hand, she instructed Nina to lift the agreement. Nina glanced at Percy, then reluctantly complied.

Karen awkwardly signed her name with her left hand. Being right-handed, her signature was uneven and ugly.

However, she could not be bothered at this moment. To her, once she signed the agreement, 10% of the company's shares would be hers.

With that 10%, her and Pierre's positions in the Mallory family would rise again.

Chapter 3418 Accepted Her As Her Daughter-In-Law After signing the agreement, Karen eagerly handed it over to the man she believed to be the lawyer.

The moment the doctor took the shares transfer agreement, a syringe containing anesthesia slipped from his sleeve and was swiftly injected into Karen's hand.

"You..." Karen felt a sharp sting, but before she could speak, her consciousness faded.

At the same time, the knife in her hand clattered to the floor.

The doctor quickly steadied her to prevent her from hitting her head when she collapsed.

"Luckily, the dose was strong enough, or she wouldn't have been knocked out so quickly." He gently laid her down, checked to make sure she was unconscious, and then hurried out of the office to notify the hospital director.

Percy quickly stepped forward, gently lifting Nina's chin to examine her wound.

"I'm fine," Nina said in a soft voice, lowering her head to hide the injury on her neck.

"Let me take a look at you," Percy insisted, gently lifting her chin again. After checking, he added, "It's not very deep."

"Yeah, if I hadn't moved around so much, I wouldn't have been hurt," Nina replied in a soft voice. Although this was all Karen's doing, Nina did not want to make things more difficult for him. That was why she did not want to escalate the situation.

"Sit tight. I'll be right back," Percy said as he walked out of the office.

The director and several doctors entered the room.

The director approached Nina with an apologetic expression. "Mrs. Mallory, I'm truly sorry. This was due to negligence on our part. We allowed the patient to escape, causing you distress. We're very sorry.

"I heard you were injured too. Why don't you let our doctor tend to your wound?"

The director carefully examined the injury on Nina's neck, then let out a sigh of relief.

Even though it had bled, it was not serious overall.

"No need to trouble yourselves. Just send her back." Nina glanced at the still-unconscious Karen with mixed emotions.

If it had been anyone else, she would have demanded accountability.

However, Karen was the one who hurt her, and she could not bring herself to hold Karen accountable. She could not pursue the matter with the hospital either. If this issue were to escalate, Old Master Mallory would definitely find out.

It would only make things worse for Percy.

The last thing she wanted was to cause trouble.

Otherwise, it would make dealing with the Mallory family even more difficult for him.

"Alright, alright." The director, relieved that Nina did not seem inclined to pursue the matter, heaved a sigh of relief. He had genuinely feared that Nina would make an issue of it. Their hospital would be in big trouble if that were the case.

He gestured for the medical staff to help carry Karen out. As they reached the door, they ran into Percy, who was holding a medical kit.

"Mr. Mallory, we're taking the patient back to the hospital now. Don't worry, this will never happen again. We'll reinforce the security, and until the patient fully recovers, she won't have the chance to escape," the director promised earnestly.

Percy's expression remained cold as he glanced at the unconscious Karen. A ruthless glint flashed across his eyes.

She was his mother.

Percy had never intended to treat her this way.

Had it not been for her increasingly erratic behavior and the absurd things she had done, he never would have contacted the psychiatric hospital to have her admitted.

Many things had been out of necessity.

There had been a time when he felt guilty for sending her to a psychiatric hospital. After all, as a son, he was supposed to fulfill his duties. Sending his mother to a psychiatric hospital did not exactly seem like a loving gesture.

However, not only did Karen refuse to properly undergo treatment, but she also sneaked out and even attempted to use Nina to threaten him.

Now, that guilt had completely disappeared. Percy no longer felt guilty. He felt nothing but indifference toward Karen.

"If this happens again, it won't be so easy to resolve." He warned the director, reminding him to do his job.

"Yes, yes, it won't happen again!" the director hurriedly assured him.

If there was another mistake, both he and the hospital were done for.

The director fully understood this and began mentally planning how to arrange staff to ensure Karen was closely monitored around the clock so that she would not escape again. After the director and the others left, Percy closed the office door and walked to the desk, setting the medical kit down.

"Let me take care of your wound." Percy's tone was gentle as though he was comforting a frightened little animal.

Nina was indeed shaken, but after seeing Karen collapse, she had already calmed down considerably. After everything that had happened, she was no longer the timid Nina of the past.

As long as the immediate danger was over, she could bounce back, just like now.

"I'm fine," Nina muttered softly, obediently tilting her head up.

Percy replied in a low voice, "I know you're fine, but the wound still needs treatment."

He took a cotton swab, dipped it in iodine, and gently applied it to the wound on her neck. The iodine was not too irritating.

Nina did not feel any pain. Instead, the sensation of the cotton swab lightly brushing her skin made her slightly ticklish.

Nina's fingers curled slightly as she fought to suppress the sensation.

After disinfecting, Percy asked in a soft tone, "Does it hurt?"

"No, it's just a little ticklish." Nina smiled and shook her head to indicate it was more of a tickle than pain.

Percy let out a quiet sigh of relief.

"As long as it doesn't hurt, that's good. It's a small wound. Should I put a band-aid on it?"

He had originally thought about wrapping it in gauze, but that would make the injury look more severe.

Now, everyone knew Nina was his wife.

If her neck were wrapped in gauze now, those who did not know the full story might create a big scene.

Percy did not want to stir up unnecessary trouble because of this.

He definitely did not want their private lives to be speculated about.

"Alright." Nina nodded, agreeing to cover the wound. Without it, the injury on her neck would be far too noticeable.

Even with a band-aid, it might still draw attention. However, at most, others would just let their imaginations run wild without realizing she had been hurt.

Percy carefully placed three band-aids over the wound, ensuring it was completely covered. "Done." He leaned down and kissed her forehead gently. "Let me know before you shower tonight. The wound can't get wet. I'll help you take care of it."

Nina teased him, "I didn't know you were such a doctor!"

"This is basic knowledge," replied Percy, lightly tapping her nose. Then, his smile faded, replaced by a serious expression. "Nina, I don't know how she managed to escape, and I can't be sure the hospital will handle her properly this time. If anything happens, promise me you won't be alone with her again. I'm afraid she might hurt you." "Okay." Nina nodded. The reason she ended up alone with Karen this time was that she had been deceived. Karen told her there were some matters about Percy she wanted to discuss. She had even claimed to have accepted Nina as her daughter-in-law and wanted to entrust her with some family belongings.

Nina believed her as she had longed for Karen's acknowledgment. If Karen could accept her, Percy would not have to feel caught between the two of them anymore. That was why Nina had allowed Karen into the room for a conversation.

The bag Karen brought did contain several items, including a knife.

At the thought of it, Nina turned her gaze toward the bag that had been discarded in the corner.

Chapter 3419 They're His, But It Never Felt That Way "That bag..." Nina pointed at the bag. "Your mom brought it over."

Percy walked over, picked up the bag, and opened it. When he saw what was inside, his brows immediately furrowed.

"What's all this?" asked Nina.

Percy handed her the bag. "Just some stuff."

Curious about what it was, Nina took the bag and peeked inside. It was filled with car models and small toys.

She suddenly remembered what Karen said earlier and asked hesitantly, "Are these your childhood toys?"

"Yes." Seeing these things again stirred something in Percy's heart, but it still did not change his feelings toward Karen.

Nina was surprised. She picked up a few of the items and said, "I didn't expect these to be so well-preserved."

"I thought they would've been thrown out." Percy still remembered these toys.

Technically, they were his, but in reality, they ended up with Pierre. As the Mallory family's heir, he was too busy to play with toys. Hence, they were his, but it never felt that way.

Nina said, "Earlier, she told me she wanted to give me some of your things. That's why I..." She gently touched the toys. Most of them were clearly quite old, with some models even discontinued and no longer available.

Although Karen had always favored Pierre, she cared about Percy in her own way. Otherwise, she would not have kept these toys in such good condition.

Percy let out a chuckle.

Nina looked up and asked with confusion. "What is it?"

"These toys? Sure, they were bought for me, but honestly, Pierre was the one who played with them. I was groomed to be the Mallory family's heir from the start, so I didn't have time for stuff like this. Calling them my childhood toys sounds nice, but really, they were Pierre's."

Percy recounted it all with an air of calm indifference.

Nina was stunned for a moment. She had not expected that to be the truth.

"Well, I never liked playing with these things anyway." Percy smiled and reached out to ruffle her hair. "Back then, I was more into sports. Anytime I wasn't stuck studying, I'd be out playing basketball or soccer. That's how I got close to Luke and Jim.

"Add in the fact that we all came from big-name families, and over time, we ended up being really tight-knit."

"Do you want to keep these as mementos?" asked Nina. After hearing all that, she did not think the toys held much sentimental value for him.

However, since they were his, she thought she should at least ask.

"Throw them out. She's just trying to play the sympathy card. The only reason these weren't thrown away is probably because Pierre played with them, and she couldn't bear to get rid of them."

Percy took the bag from her and tossed it into the trash can without hesitation. "She probably dug these out of some storage room in Mallory Manor. It must've taken quite an effort to even find them."

He knew better than to force a bond that was not meant to be.

As he thought that, a sudden idea crossed his mind.

"She went back to Mallory Manor."

Nina was surprised. "Wasn't she supposed to be on the run? How does she dare go back there?"

"Maybe my grandpa allowed it." The thought crossed Percy's mind, and his eyes darkened. Their marriage was already a done deal, yet his family was still trying to interfere...

To the point where Old Master Mallory would let someone like Karen, who was not mentally stable, harm Nina?

Unfortunately for them, Nina was not the type to back down in the face of danger.

Percy lowered his head and kissed her forehead gently. "I need to head over to the psychiatric hospital to deal with something. Will you be okay heading home alone tonight?"

"No problem." Nina gave him a thumbs-up.

After Percy left, Sue knocked on the office door and stepped inside.

"Are you okay?" Sue looked at Nina with a worried look on her face. She was still shaken from the sight of Karen holding a knife to Nina's neck earlier.

"I'm fine, really," Nina reassured her with a smile. Knowing Sue's concern, she added, "By the way, Sue, please don't tell anyone about what happened today."

"You two..." Sue was rendered speechless. "Earlier, Mr. Mallory would rather let you face danger than call the police, and now that you're safe, you're still trying to protect the Mallory family's reputation? Nina, I don't think it's worth it."

Nina shook her head, realizing Sue had misunderstood. "Actually, Percy didn't refuse to call the police to protect his mother's reputation or the Mallory family's image."

"If it wasn't for that, then why?" Sue was puzzled. She could not help feeling grateful to her own partner, Jason, who had a far less complicated family situation. He only had an ex-wife, and it was nothing too messy.

"It was for me." Nina let out a faint sigh. Having lived through so much in this family, she had learned to see the bigger picture.

"If this incident got blown up, imagine what people would say about the Mallory family. And if the Mallory family's reputation took a hit, how would they see me? I'm already not accepted by them. If we escalate this and make his mother's situation public, it'll only make Old Master Mallory despise me even more." Nina explained everything to Sue clearly. Sue let out a heavy sigh. "So, being a wealthy family's wife isn't all it's cracked up to be. With the mess that is the Mallory family, your husband probably has his hands full cleaning it up. I get why calling the cops wasn't the best solution. But you..."

Her eyes landed on the injury on Nina's neck. "You nearly lost your life over this."

That knife had been sharp enough to cut a major artery. If it had gone wrong, Nina would not even have had the chance to fight back.

"But it didn't, did it? Don't worry, I have a strong will to live," Nina replied with a smile on her face.

"Yeah, but no matter how strong your will is, you can't keep letting the Mallory family make things difficult for you. Listen, you need to be more cautious from now on. Don't be alone with any Mallory family members except your husband. I swear, everyone else in that family is just off. Better safe than sorry."

"Okay, okay, I hear you." Nina tried to placate her. Being cared for by the man she loved and by a close friend felt like the greatest kind of happiness.

Seeing that she had said enough, Sue did not want to push further. "Alright, I won't nag anymore. Let me take a look at your wound. Is it bad?"

"Not at all. See?" Nina pointed at the small bandage on her neck. "If it were serious, a little bandage wouldn't be enough."

"That's true." Sue nodded, still unsettled but relieved the immediate danger had passed. Then, she added, "Alright then, I'll stop bothering you. You should finish up early and head home."

"Got it." Nina gestured toward the stack of files on her desk. "I'll head out once I'm done with these."

"Alright." Sue nodded and left the office.

Nina turned back to the documents and resumed her work.

Pierre sat in his wheelchair. His expression darkened as he listened to Karen's subordinate's report.

"Useless! She couldn't even handle something so simple!" he cursed angrily.

The subordinate flinched and cautiously reminded him, "Mr. Pierre, that's your mother we're talking about."

"If she can't even handle something like this, what right does she have to be called my mother?" Pierre snapped arrogantly.

Chapter 3420 Trying To Bring Down The Mallory Family Karen's subordinate had always thought Pierre was not someone to be messed with.

With his temperament, he was clearly unfit to be an heir.

That was also why her subordinate could never understand why Karen always favored her youngest son.

Still, at the end of the day, Karen was the one signing his paycheck, not Percy and certainly not Pierre. Hence, whatever Karen wanted him to do, he did without question.

Thinking about t now, the subordinate figured t was not his place to say anything.

If even Pierre did not think Karen deserved respect, what right did a mere employee like him have to comment?

There was nothing he could say.

Pierre, meanwhile, was stewing over Karen's latest schemes. His expression darkened as he muttered bitterly, "She couldn't even use that woman to threaten Percy properly. Now, she's been sent back to the psychiatric hospital? She's absolutely useless."

The subordinate hesitated for a moment as he wanted to say something.

He almost pointed out that there were not many in the Mallory family who could go toe-to- toe with Percy.

However, he stopped himself. If he said that out loud, it would undoubtedly earn him a scolding from Pierre.

The two brothers had been at odds for years.

If it were not for Pierre's crippled leg, he would probably still be fighting with Percy tooth and nail right now.

The subordinate stood aside as he listened to Pierre hurling insults at Karen. His words were increasingly harsh. He felt speechless but knew he could not argue or offer any input.

It was not until a ringtone cut through the tirade that Pierre finally stopped cursing.

He turned to the subordinate. "Hand me my phone."

"Yes, sir," replied the subordinate as he carefully handed over the phone.

Since the last dry needling treatment had helped Pierre's leg improve slightly, his condition had not progressed much.

He was still limping, and walking was so cumbersome that he opted to stay in a wheelchair most of the time.

Pierre took the phone and answered the call. "What is it?"

On the other end, a man's voice came through. "Mr. Pierre, Mr. Percy just entered the psychiatric hospital."

"What's he doing there?" asked Pierre, only to immediately realize how stupid the question was.

His people would not know what Percy was up to in the psychiatric hospital.

Still, it was not hard to guess. If Percy had gone there at this time, it had to be because of Karen. Pierre narrowed his eyes. "Got it. Keep an eye on him. Let me know the moment he leaves."

"Yes, sir," the voice on the phone replied.

Percy, led by a nurse, entered Karen's hospital ward.

Karen, still groggy from the anesthesia, was only half awake. When she saw Percy walk in, her eyes flared with emotion. She struggled to move, her legs kicking as she tried to get up.

However, the anesthesia had not worn off completely, and she could not lift herself. The nurse standing beside him reminded, "The patient seems to be showing signs of aggression. Should I restrain her with a treatment belt?"

"No need." Percy glanced around the ward. There was nothing here she could use as a weapon.

Therefore, even if Karen wanted to attack him, she would not stand a chance.

"Okay. I'll wait outside. Just press the call button if you need anything." The nurse gave Percy a shy smile. As she was about to leave, Percy asked, "When will she fully regain consciousness?"

"She should be fully awake in about half an hour, but her emotions are very unstable. Whether you can have a normal conversation with her is hard to say."

"Got it." Percy nodded. His gaze fixed coldly on Karen.

After the nurse stepped out, she carefully locked the door behind her.

This patient had a history of escaping, and the hospital management had ordered strict precautions.

If Karen managed to get away again, the entire staff would be held accountable.

Inside the ward, Percy sat down in a chair, casually scrolling through his phone as he dealt with work and replied to Gordan's messages.

He had laid an inescapable trap in A City and was just waiting for the Island of Despair to make their move so that he could destroy them in one fell swoop.

Meanwhile, Karen, lying on the hospital bed, was kicking violently. Her movements grew stronger as the anesthesia wore off.

Her thrashing eventually attracted the attention of the nurses, but Percy remained completely unfazed. He continued working, unbothered by her tantrum, fully focused on clearing up his workload.

The mess Karen had caused had already wasted enough of his time.

If he wanted to spend a peaceful evening with Nina, he needed to make the most of every second now to deal with the company's affairs.

As the effects of the anesthesia faded, Karen's muffled voice gradually grew louder and clearer. She began to curse him, "Percy, you despicable coward!"

Percy slowly lifted his head when he heard her sharp insults. "Awake now?"

"I can't believe I gave birth to such a spineless, untrustworthy son!" Karen glared at him with fiery intensity, her teeth bared and face twisted in rage. It was as though she wanted to devour him whole!

"No, you're not my son. You must've been switched at birth. The nurse probably mixed you up with some pauper's kid, because you've got nothing but the blood of a penniless loser in your veins! All you care about is taking over the Mallory family's fortune!"

Percy did not bother arguing. Whether or not he was truly a Mallory was obvious to anyone who saw him.

His resemblance to Daryl was undeniable.

Her words made him think of his unfaithful father.

Suddenly, it all made sense why, at a certain point, Karen had started avoiding meaningful conversations with him.

She had claimed it was because he was the Mallory family's heir and needed to focus on his responsibilities, but that was not the truth.

The real reason was his father's infidelity. After Daryl cheated on her, Karen was devastated. Seeing Percy reminded her too much of her husband's betrayal, so she distanced herself from him.

Instead, she poured all her maternal love into Pierre.

She spoiled him to the point of lawlessness.

Karen's voice dragged him back to the present. "Give me the phone! I'm going to tell Old Master Mallory that Percy isn't even a real Mallory! He's just some impostor swapped at birth! Give me the phone!

"I'm going to expose you for the scheming, traitorous fraud you are! I'll make sure the old master kicks you out of the Mallory family! Everything in the Mallory family belongs to me, not to some outsider like you! Get out! Get out of the Mallory family!

"Percy... No, you're not Percy at all! You're nothing but a pauper's son who's taking my real son's place! If you're trying to bring down the Mallory family, think again. As long as I'm alive, I'll never allow it! Never!

"My son, my poor son... Where are you? I'll find you. I'll bring you back and give you the life you deserve. My poor, sweet son..." Tears suddenly welled in her eyes, and her voice cracked with sorrow.

Tears blurred Karen's vision as she looked at Percy.

Her outburst, her tears, her desperation-none of it stirred even the faintest reaction from him.

There was no sympathy and no anger, just a cold, indifferent expression.

It was so cold that it was like the face of someone staring at a stranger.

However, she was his mother. How could he look at her like that?

Karen had been putting on a show, pretending to lose control, hoping to manipulate him.

Yet now, faced with Percy's apathy, she began to doubt herself.

What should she do next?

How could she ensure Pierre's leg healed completely?

How could she reclaim her position in the Mallory family and regain control over everything?

More importantly, how could she guarantee that Pierre became the sole heir of the Mallory family...

As these thoughts churned in her mind, a dark, unsettling idea began to take shape.