Dr. Zhou Fen crossed to Robert's bedside without waiting.
He opened his bag and began placing his needles. One by one. At specific pressure points along Robert's neck, chest, and wrists. Precise. Unhurried.
The room watched in silence.
Drake stood to the side. Composed. Watching everything.
Elena watched him.
What made him look so comfortable standing in this room? So settled. Like he had already decided he belonged here before he walked through the door. Was it the doctor he brought? He should keep dreaming. Once the treatment was done she was going to say everything she had been holding since the moment he walked in.
Then he spoke.
"Regarding the missing contract. The projects. The investors. The funding." His voice was calm. Generous. "Please don't worry about any of that. Once Elena agrees to marry me my family will personally back every project currently at risk. The funding. The partnerships. Everything the Meridian contract would have opened. All of it. Covered completely."
The room shifted.
Mark looked up. William went still.
Elena looked at Drake directly.
"And when did I say I am going to marry you. You walked into my grandfather's bedroom with a doctor and said that in front of my entire family. Why are you pasting me like I am your inheritance? Am I your father's company?" She hissed. "Just a daydream."
Drake looked at her. Nodded slightly. A small smile on his face. Both hands in his pockets.
"Elena."
The room turned. Margaret was looking at her from beside Robert's bed.
"At this hour you are still talking about daydreams." She looked at her granddaughter directly. "Get ready to marry."
Elena turned to her grandmother.
"Grandma —"
"Stop calling me grandma if you cannot listen to me. Don't you see the only thing left for us is Drake?"
"You cannot give me to a man like a document on a desk," Elena said. "Not even you."
The room went completely still.
"All your mates are married," Margaret said. "You and Drake can get along with each other."
"Yes. We support this marriage," Mark said.
"We do," Clara added softly.
Elena stood there for a moment. Not moving, she just stood with those words inside her. Her own grandmother. Her uncle. Her aunt.
Then her legs gave way.
She sat down. Right there on the floor at the foot of the bed. Her back against the bed frame. Her hands in her lap.
And the tears slipped down her cheeks, quietly. Because it felt like they had already made up their minds about her, as if they had no other choice.
"Should we be having this conversation right now Mum," William said.
Margaret turned her face away.
"Dr. Zhou Fen is already done with his acupuncture. He has removed all the needles he placed in Robert's body."
Then Robert's hand moved.
It pulled slowly away from Margaret's.
"Husband." Margaret turned to him immediately. "You are awake, dear. Are you okay now?"
Everyone turned.
Elena got up quickly and wiped her face with the back of her hand. "Grandpa are you okay?"
His eyes searched hers. "I'm okay Elena."
"Nobody gives my granddaughter away."
The room froze.
Sophia reached him. "Grandpa thank God you are awake. Are you feeling okay?"
"I'm fine daughter. Aren't you supposed to be in school?"
"I couldn't go while you were in this condition."
"I'm fine now. Okay."
"My father is right," William said. He looked at Mark. Then at Drake. "Elena is my daughter. And nothing about her future gets decided without her. Not today. Not in this room. Not ever."
"William." Mark stepped forward. "Drake saved father's life. He is offering to save the company. Everything we stand to lose he is prepared to cover. What more do you want from the man?"
"I want him to understand that my daughter is not part of any deal," William said.
"Nobody is treating her like a deal," Mark said. "Drake wants to marry her. There is a difference."
Harlan cut in. "And honestly if she had just been reasonable from the beginning none of us would be standing here right now."
"What do you mean by that," William said.
"What else did he mean," Mark said. "Can you not think about the situation right now?"
"I am thinking about my daughter," William said.
"Then think about what she is going to have left if Carter Group collapses," Mark said.
William looked at his brother for a long moment. Then he looked away.
"She is my daughter," he said quietly. "That is all I know right now."
Harlan pushed off from the window.
"Dad with all due respect you have been saying that since this started. Elena is your daughter. Elena is your daughter. We hear you. But she is also the reason we are all standing in this room right now. Was it just your daughter to destroy this family? And if she is your daughter am I not your son? Is Sophia not your daughter too?"
"Tell him," Veronica murmured.
"Harlan." William's voice sharpened.
"I am just saying what everyone else is thinking Dad," Harlan said.
Sophia opened her mouth. "Brother it is not like that —"
"One more word from you," Harlan said. "One more word and you will regret it."
"Sophia." Veronica's voice came from across the room.
"She is my sister," Sophia said.
"You are too young for this," Mark said.
Drake has been listening quietly. "Is this how you repay me for my kindness," he finally said.
But no one answered his simple question.
"Help me sit," Robert said.
William and Elena helped him up carefully.
"Please be careful with your grandfather," Drake said. "His illness has only been suppressed for now. Until the main treatment is completed his condition could become three times worse."
Everyone gasped.
"You." Elena pointed at him. Her hand was shaking. "You dare do this to my grandpa."
"He is only stating the truth," Dr. Zhou Fen said calmly. "I need to return for the final treatment. Otherwise, it would have been better if we had let him kick the bucket earlier. What comes next will not be easy for him."
Elena sank back slowly to the floor.
In her mind, it was finished for her.
Robert looked at Drake from where he sat. It was time to let him know what was holding him back.
"Young man." His voice was steady now. Stronger than anyone expected. "It is not that you are not good enough for her. But this is the problem. Elena is more than just the CEO of Carter Group. There is something about her that the entire country's hope is placed on. If it is not handled properly it could cost all of us our lives." He held Drake's eyes. "Tell me. Can you protect her?"