Fermin ruffled her hair and spoke softly. "You''ve grown up."

    Liza tilted her head and looked at him. "Stop fighting with Dad. Can''t we just be together as a family, like we used to?"

    "Of course." Fermin nodded. "Once I''ve handled these things, we''ll all be back together and live happily as a family."

    Liza lowered her eyes. "Debra is a friend I treasure, and you''re my brother. You''re both smarter than me. If you two could work together, there''s nothing you can''t handle. We''re already so rich; there''s no need to get involved with the..."

    Fermin reached out and covered her mouth. "I think I''ve told you before. You''re not allowed to say that word."

    Liza blinked, silently agreeing not to speak any further.

    Fermin withdrew his hand. "I have my path to follow, and you have yours. Everyone has a role in this world and a choice to make. I just want you to live happily. No matter how spoiled or bratty you get, no one will dare say anything. Even if you make the worst mistake, I''ll make it right for you. Don''t try to be like Debra. It''s too exhausting. I don''t want that for you."

    Liza threw herself into his arms and cried, "But I''m scared you and Dad will be gone one day. I''ll be left all alone."

    "Don''t be silly." Fermin stroked her hair. "I''ll protect you for life. I''ll never leave you behind."

    He paused and continued, "People like us, who have everything, also walk a thorny path. Regr families worry about having enough to eat. And us? We have hundreds ofpanies and thousands of employees to worry about."

    Apparently, he refused to take her advice.

    Liza felt helpless and started to wail.

    She''d never imagined Fermin and Debra would confront each other like that.

    Marion''s bullet had pierced Fermin''s shoulder. Although he didn''t say anything, he must be suffering from the pain.

    She cried until thete hours. Fermin stayed by her side,forting her.

    When she finally exhausted herself, he helped her lie down on the bed and covered her with the nket.

    When the maid came in to clear the dinner cart, Fermin made a quiet gesture.

    The maid silently backed out of the room.

    Fermin went to the bathroom and retrieved an eye mask. Then he came back and carefully applied it to the swollen area under Liza''s eyes.

    As he watched her sleep, a tender smile appeared on his face. His thoughts

    drifted back to that dream from over a month ago.

    Their mother was still alive. Her voice and her smile felt incredibly real.

    She loved to water the flowers in the backyard, her long hair tied up neatly. There

    was a gentle smile on her face as she worked.