Time flew by in the blink of an eye.
Since that day, neither Sinclair nor Camilla had mentioned Micheal again.
It was as though the matter had simply faded into the past.
But the calmest seas often conceal the fiercest storms.
Right on schedule, Camilla arrived at the Taylor Family Estate.
This time, however, Sinclair merely dropped her off at the entrance before heading to the office.
Taylor was already waiting in the living room, a pot of freshly brewed tea prepared.
"How’s the medicinal catalyst coming along?"
Camilla asked softly as she arranged the silver needles she would need.
"Not easy to find, I imagine."
"Indeed. We’re still missing two key ingredients,"
Taylor replied, his lips curving into a composed smile.
"Fortunately, I’ve tracked down who has them.
Once today’s acupuncture session is done, I’ll retrieve them myself."
After a pause, he turned to Camilla.
"By the way, we’re making a trip to Mileage."
Camilla’s eyes lit up.
"You found the life bound poison master?"
"Yes, but the Mileage people have their own customs.
I’ll need to go in person to extend the invitation."
"I’m sorry to trouble you," Camilla said, guilt creeping into her voice.
After all, Taylor was still recovering.
"It’s no trouble at all," he replied gently.
"I was heading there anyway."
Camilla handed him a delicate wooden box, its contents exuding a faint herbal fragrance.
"These are pills I made with substitute ingredients."
"They won’t cure you, but they’ll ease the symptoms and help you sleep better."
Taylor accepted it with a smile, his voice warm but weary.
"A good night’s sleep is exactly what I need right now."
The recent events had made one thing painfully clear—there was far too much corruption to purge, both within the Taylor family and beyond.
"Time’s up," Camilla picked up her silver needles and moved to his side, her tone calm yet firm.
Obediently, Taylor lay face down on the bed.
With practiced precision, Camilla swiftly inserted the needles into his pressure points, her hands moving like lightning.
Before long, the familiar, searing pain surged through Taylor’s body.
His jaw clenched, teeth grinding as sweat beaded and rolled down his skin like raindrops.
"Just a little longer," Camilla knew the agony he was enduring and quickened her pace, her voice steady but laced with urgency.
"It’ll be over soon."
Taylor remained silent, giving a slight nod in response.
Five minutes later, Camilla finally stopped her movements, her voice laced with exhaustion.
Taylor felt waves of warmth spreading from the points where the silver needles had been inserted, the excruciating pain in his body gradually easing.
His furrowed brows slowly relaxed, though his face remained ashen.
Camilla, looking drained, sank back into her chair, sipping tea to steady herself as she silently calculated the time.
Just then, a deep, icy voice cut through the air.
"Taylor, I found your troublesome little sister."
Aside from Sinclair and Calvin, Camilla had never heard anyone address Taylor so bluntly by name.
Her beautiful eyes lifted in curiosity as she turned toward the source of the voice.
A tall, powerfully built man dressed entirely in black strode forward, effortlessly carrying a petite, squirming girl slung over one shoulder.
The stark contrast in their sizes was impossible to ignore.
Camilla stared at the girl being hauled like a sack of potatoes, her delicate features registering shock.
Who in the Taylor family—who in front of Taylor himself—would dare treat Melissa ? She looked at the man again, studying him carefully this time.
His chiseled features and sharp jawline gave him a strikingly handsome, almost exotic appearance.
Even through the loose-fitting clothes, the powerful contours of his muscular frame were unmistakable.
But it was his eyes that held her attention—dark, intense, radiating an almost predatory alertness.
They carried a weight that felt both intimidating and commanding.
If she had to sum him up in just two words, they came to her instantly:
"Damn it, let me go!!"
"If you don’t release me right now, I swear I won’t hold back!"
"Don’t think just because your brother’s got your back, you can bully me ,
... Melissa’s furious voice came muffled against the man’s shoulder.
Taylor’s weak call wasn’t loud, but it instantly silenced Melissa.
The man smirked and unceremoniously dropped her.
"Brother..." Melissa’s head drooped along with her limbs, suddenly the picture of obedience.
Where was that reckless, defiant attitude she’d just been flaunting moments ago? Vicente: "..."
He found a seat and sat down, shifting his gaze from Melissa to Camilla.
After a moment, Vicente’s brows suddenly furrowed.
There was something oddly familiar about this woman.
Not in person, but perhaps from a photograph or something similar.
When the memory refused to surface, he averted his gaze.
Maybe he was mistaken.
After all, being recognized by him was never a good thing.
"Go back to your room," Taylor’s voice was weak, but his tone brooked no argument.
"And don’t step out again without my permission."
He paused, then added sternly,
"Also, if you keep procrastinating on the company tasks I assigned you, I’ll double the workload."
"Brother!!" Melissa immediately looked up, her face twisted in exaggerated despair.
"I really don’t want to—"
Before she could finish, her eyes landed on Camilla beside them, lighting up as if she’d spotted a lifeline.
When did you get here?
Can you take me with you when you leave?
I’d love to visit your place!"
She had no idea what had gotten into her brother these past two days.
Not only did he suddenly assign her a cold-blooded, overly familiar bodyguard, but he also forced her to study corporate affairs every single day.
But Sister Camilla clearly said that her brother had at least thirty more years to live. With three whole decades ahead, he could easily continue carrying the Taylor family’s burdens on his shoulders.
Why couldn’t he just let her live a carefree life in peace?!
"Well, you could," Camilla couldn’t help but find Melissa utterly adorable, her red lips curling into a smile.
"But you’d need your brother’s permission first."
"No need, no need!" Melissa hurried over, looping her arm through Camilla’s.
"I’m an adult—I can make my own decisions. Please, Sister Camilla, pretty please?"
The pleading in her eyes was practically tangible.
Just then, Taylor’s voice cut in.
"Wanting to visit the Luther Family?
Melissa’s face lit up as she turned to him.
"Brother, you mean it?"
Taylor clearly knew how to handle his little sister.
"Come to think of it, with Sinclair around, your company’s growth could accelerate even faster."
The smile on Melissa’s face froze instantly.
She had been so focused on Camilla that she’d completely forgotten about
Couldn’t Sinclair just move out of the Luther Family home on his own and let her stay with Camilla for a few days?
Of course, these thoughts remained strictly in Melissa’s head—she wouldn’t dare let them slip.
Taylor observed his sister’s shifting expressions with detached amusement, his tone indifferent.
"I can call Sinclair right now if you’d like."
"...Never mind," Melissa forced a smile, her words dripping with insincerity.
"I’ve decided to stay home after all.
Wouldn’t want to intrude on Sinclair and Camilla’s *couple time*."
Vicente arched an eyebrow, the corners of his lips curling into an amused smile as he took in Melissa’s utterly cowed expression.
He’d heard rumors that this girl was terrified of that man Sinclair, but he never expected her to react like a deer caught in headlights at the mere mention of his name.
Taylor, on the other hand, wore a knowing look—clearly, he had anticipated his little sister’s reaction all along.
Aren’t you going up?"