Luther Family Estate.
When Camilla woke again, she found herself alone in the room.
The space beside her had long gone cold.
Her beautiful eyes, slightly narrowed, brimmed with heartache.
Next time, I can’t afford to be this sentimental.
Remembering the battle ahead today, she quickly schooled her expression and headed for the bathroom.
Meanwhile, in the living room.
Grandpa Luther grumbled, teacup in hand as he glared at Uncle Carlos.
"Did he really leave without even sparing me another glance?"
Uncle Carlos swallowed hard before nodding gently.
"It was past two in the morning, boss Sinclair didn’t want to disturb your rest."
"Don’t treat me like a senile old fool," grandpa huffed.
"That boy wasn’t worried about my sleep—"
Grandpa Luther twitched the corner of his mouth, his expression a mix of understanding and exasperation.
"Clearly, he’s forgotten his grandfather the moment he got himself a wife," he scoffed.
"Has he even stopped to think that without his grandpa’s influence, how could a sweet girl like Camilla ever take a liking to that block of ice?"
Uncle Carlos nodded in agreement, though he couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly.
No one else would dare criticize their own grandson —only grandpa.
"Not acceptable," Grandpa Luther set down his teacup, a glint of amusement flashing in his deep-set eyes.
"Once this matter is settled, I’ll have to find a way to teach that rebellious grandson of mine a proper lesson!"
Of course, the so-called "way" naturally involved targeting his most sensible granddaughter-in-law.
Camilla descended the stairs just in time to catch the latter half of Grandpa Luther’s remark.
A soft laugh escaped her lips.
"Grandfather, has Sinclair managed to offend you again?"
Uncle Carlos gave her a respectful nod.
"Not exactly," Grandpa Luther replied with unshaken composure, his weathered face betraying no trace of embarrassment at being caught
. A faint, knowing smile played on his lips.
"I simply wanted to teach him a lesson."
Camilla: "..." She silently pitied her husband for a solid minute.
Settling beside the elderly man, she studied his expression carefully.
"How did you feel last night?"
"Much better," he answered, though the warmth in his voice dimmed at the mention of the lingering toxins.
"Let me check your pulse."
Closing her eyes, Camilla concentrated for a long moment before finally releasing his wrist. Her tone softened with reassurance.
"Your constitution is remarkably strong—your recovery is even better than I expected.
Just six more days of acupuncture, and the toxins will be completely purged."
*Thank goodness we caught it early,* she thought, *or this would have haunted me forever.* Uncle Carlos exhaled in quiet relief.
Meanwhile, Grandpa Luther leaned back in his chair, idly swirling the tea leaves in his cup.
His voice, when he spoke again, was slow and rough with unspoken weight.
"It seems this grandpa has truly become useless," came the low, hoarse voice, laced with unmistakable disappointment and self-mockery.
"Didn’t even notice the schemes brewing right under my nose."
"Grandfather, this isn’t your fault," Camilla interjected softly, her heart aching at the sight of his dejection.
Her gentle tone carried genuine concern.
"People change—their hearts most of all."
"Madam is right," uncle Carlos chimed in solemnly, standing nearby with a grave expression.
He dipped his head slightly in deference.
"The blame lies with me.
You entrusted me with managing the affairs of the old estate, yet I allowed such a grave oversight to occur.
If anyone should take responsibility, it’s me." His voice grew firmer.
"Once you’ve recovered, I’ll resign from my position as steward." Resign? Camilla’s eyes widened in surprise.
"Stop shouldering blame that isn’t yours," Grandpa Luther snapped, his brow furrowing as he glared at uncle Carlos.
"As for resigning—as long as I draw breath in the Luther household, you’re not going anywhere. Unless I’m dead."
Uncle Carlos frowned. "Grandpa—"
"There’s no room for discussion on this matter," Grandpa Luther raised his hand, cutting him off.
"Sinclair is right. The Luther Family is long overdue for a thorough cleanup."
If his old bones were the only ones at risk, so be it.
But Sinclair and Camilla—that was another story.
Those who dared to scheme against him would surely set their sights on the younger generation as well.
They had to be rooted out completely.
"I’m getting old," Grandpa Luther turned to Camilla and spoke slowly.
"This matter, I leave to you and Sinclair" It was both an instruction and an affirmation.
"You have my word," Camilla nodded solemnly.
Just then, Ramsey stepped in from outside.
"Madam, the car is ready."
Camilla glanced at her watch.
It was indeed time to leave for the engagement banquet.
There were several grand performances waiting for her to take the stage.
"Grandfather, I’m heading out now."
"Go ahead," Grandpa Luther nodded, then added in a gentle tone, "But Camilla, there’s something I want you to remember."
His eyes narrowed slightly as he spoke with deliberate gravity.
"As the matriarch of the Luther Family, you have every right to hold your ground in the capital.
No one gets to bully you—only you can decide who deserves your mercy."
His words were a clear promise of unwavering support. Touched by his declaration, Camilla blinked back at the moisture gathering in her eyes and smiled.
"I understand, Grandfather."
Grandpa gave a satisfied nod and said no more. After Camilla left, his aged yet piercing gaze grew distant and contemplative.
"Arranging the marriage between Sinclair and Camilla was the wisest decision I’ve made in my later years."
Mrs. Camilla Luther was truly a remarkable woman.
Though Uncle Carlos dared not voice his agreement aloud, he couldn’t help but marvel inwardly.
Before this, he had never believed that grandpa Rodriguez’s granddaughter was worthy of Mr. Sinclair.
But now he understood—it was all predestined.
"Send more men to Sinclair’s side," Grandpa Luther said heavily, lifting his teacup once more.
"That boy has always been too reckless for his own good."
He was getting old, and his heart couldn’t take the shocks anymore.
Outside the Luther Family ancestral home..
Since the estate had refused all visitors, many members of the Luther clan were gathered at the gates, waiting impatiently.
The moment Camilla stepped out, someone immediately approached her.
"Camilla, how is grandpa really doing?"
"Come on, at least let us see him for a moment!"
"Why are we, who share the same family name, barred from even entering?"
Yet no matter who spoke or what their standing was, Camilla’s response remained the same—just four simple words.
The sleek black Maybach slowly pulled away from the old mansion.
"Has everything been taken care of?"
"Rest assured, everything has been arranged exactly as you instructed."
Ramsey reached into the front passenger seat and handed Camilla an ornate brocade box.
"Madam, President Luther asked me to give this to you. He said it’s a gift he brought back for you yesterday."
A soft smile touched Camilla’s lips as warmth bloomed in her chest.
She had only mentioned it in passing—yet Sinclair remembered so clearly. With a quiet laugh, she opened the box.
Nestled inside was a dazzling blue diamond, flawlessly set in a platinum ring.
Exquisite and opulent, yet radiating an untouchable, icy elegance.
Camilla’s fingers brushed the necklace at her throat.
"The Heart of the Ocean?"
Such a pure, vivid blue—there was only one set of jewelry in the entire world.
The diamond ring before her eyes was unmistakably part of a matching set with the necklace around her neck.
"Yes," Ramsey nodded, continuing to relay his boss’s message.
"President Luther insists that you wear this ring on your left hand before attending the engagement banquet."
Camilla couldn’t help but chuckle wryly. Typical male possessiveness.
Meanwhile, the engagement banquet between the Luther and Porter families had officially begun.