"Help!"

Kelly's body was bobbing up and down like a piece of wood.

"George … save me!" she screamed as hard as she could.

Suddenly, someone swam toward her. The strong arms pulled the plants that were binding her ankle, the next moment, it wrapped around her waist and quickly took her to swim upstream. Before she lost consciousness, Kelly caught a fleeting glimpse of a sharp, chiseled jawline.

Meanwhile, George could not find Kelly anywhere. He was furious and irritation was clearly written on his face. "All I asked was for her to wash a dress and she storms off like this?" he muttered angrily.

Amanda quickly patted his back to calm him, "Don't be mad. I believe Kelly didn’t mean it. Maybe ... she’ll come back once she’s calmed down."

Hopefully, she never does, Amanda thought silently. Yet, just as she finished speaking, her smile froze.

Not far away, a strikingly handsome man was running toward them. He was holding Kelly in his arms. "George! Quick! Your sister fell into the river!"

George spun around, his heart dropped as he rushed toward them. His steps faltered when he saw Kelly's pale, lifeless face. He quickly took her into his arms, only to find her body alarmingly cold to the touch.

"How did this happen?" His voice cracked with panic. "Kelly, hold on! Don’t you dare give up!"

George rushed inside and called for the housekeeper to help change Kelly out of her wet clothes.

He turned around to his friend, Ken Murdock, "What happened, Ken?"

Ken was George's confidant and also his closest friend. Obviously, he knew about his relationship with Kelly. He looked at George with a grim face.

"I was passing by the river when I heard Kelly calling for help," Ken explained. "When I got there, she was struggling in the water. I also saw a wooden bucket and a dress near the bank. It seems she went to wash clothes and accidentally fell in."

George’s brows furrowed deeply. "The kitchen has hot water. Why on earth would she wash clothes in the river on such a freezing day?"

Ken sighed, but his gaze was piercing toward George. "George, I hate to say this, but why is Kelly doing chores at all? Doesn’t your house have servants? To send her out on a day like this ..."

"You’ve been far too harsh on her lately," he added.

George's expression clouded over, a mixture of guilt and defiance battling within him. "You don’t understand. She’s too spoiled. Letting her continue like this will only make it worse."

Ken's gaze flickered toward Amanda and he turned his head toward George. After a moment, he spoke, "George, when she was unconscious, Kelly called out your name."

George froze, his jaw tightening. "I see. She must’ve jumped into the river on purpose to get my attention. Such disgusting tactics ... where does she even learn these things?"

Ken’s entire body stiffened, his expression darkened with fury. Without warning, he swung a punch at George’s face. The punch was so hard that it sent George fell backward and hit the doorframe with a bang.

"Ken! What the hell are you doing?“ George roared, his eyes were blazing with anger as he clenched his fists as he was ready to retaliate.

Yet before he could do anything, Ken grabbed his collar and shoved him down, then pinned him to the ground.

This made Amanda so scared and she screamed, "Stop it! What are you doing? Let him go!"

Ken pressed George harder and his tone was deadly serious, "Kelly is your sister, George, the one you cherish the most. How could you say something so cruel about her?"

George gritted his teeth as he shoved Ken's hands off. "She’s my sister. I’ll handle her however I see fit. It’s none of your business, Ken. Stay out of my business!"

After Ken left, George stood by Kelly’s bedside, staring at her still-pale face with mixed emotion.

Outside, Amanda collapsed onto the ground. Her body was trembling with fear. She was thankful George did not see what she had done to Kelly by the river.

Kelly had no idea how long she had been unconscious. When she opened her eyes, she saw George standing outside the door, smoking.

The night wind howled and it was making the ember at his fingertips flicker on and off.

She shifted her gaze away and quickly opened her palm. Upon seeing the amulet was still there, the tension that had gripped her heart finally loosened. Through her tear-blurred vision, she noticed George's silhouette slowly stepping into the room.

"How did you fall into the river?" he asked. "Do you realize how dangerous that was? You've been unconscious with a fever for two days!"

Kelly's eyelashes trembled slightly when she asked, "Why did you give my amulet to Amanda?"

George’s face stiffened and it took him a long moment to reply, "It's just an amulet. So what if I gave it to her?"

Kelly let out a bitter laugh. "Of course. She's the one you care about most. For you to give her an amulet seems perfectly natural."

George’s eyes lingered on Kelly for a long while. His eyes looked suspiciously at her. "So … is the reason you fell into the river on purpose to get my attention because of that?"

Disgust flashed in his eyes. "Kelly, you're unbelievable. Have I not told you before? We are just like siblings. Everything I’ve done for you was out of brotherly care. "You need to stop having inappropriate thoughts about me!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, George felt a pang of regret. He had never spoken so harshly to Kelly and had no idea how she would react.

Yet, Kelly merely replied with a single word, "Fine."

George, who had prepared a long speech, was caught off guard by her quick agreement. He froze. Although he could sense something was wrong, he did not know what it was.

Before long, Kelly's voice broke the silence, "George, I'm leaving."

George's presence had taken root in her heart over the past eight years,. He had intertwining himself into her very being. This time, she was determined to cut him out herself. Though it would hurt, she would not regret it.

A sudden wave of panic seized George’s heart. "This is your home. Where could you possibly go?"

Huh? This is my home?

Kelly let out a soft laugh. She said, "George, I’ve been blamed and targeted over and over and you’ve never believed me. What kind of 'home' is this supposed to be?"

George looked uncomfortable. "As long as you behave yourself, I’ll always treat you like a younger sister."

After he said that, he pulled out a small bottle of medicated oil from his pocket and said, "The bruises on your arm haven’t faded yet. Apply this tonight."

Kelly felt his order was quite baffling. On one hand, he wanted to distance himself from her. On the other, he still showed concern in the smallest ways.

As he placed the bottle on the table, George’s eyes landed on a few books about satellites by her bedside. He frowned slightly and asked, "Since when were you interested in satellites?"

Kelly reached for the books and replied, "One day, I want to be like my parents and work in satellite research."

George stared at her face for a moment before speaking, "Satellite research is tough. Once you're in a research base, you’re practically cut off from the world for life. If you’re serious about it, once the special recruitment ends, I’ll ask my dad to take you to the base for a look."

Kelly gave him a strange look before nodding. "Okay."

Seeing her unusually compliant, George’s tone softened, "When you’re feeling better, apologize to Amanda."

His gaze settled on Kelly. It was deep and unreadable.

Kelly turned her head away to avoid his eyes, though her chest felt as if needles had pierced through it. The pain left a dull, persistent ache.

"George..."

Before Kelly could say anything more, George impatiently interrupted her, "Don’t call me by my name. Call me brother."

She smiled faintly. "Brother, rest assured. I’ll never interfere with your relationship with Amanda. I wish you both a lifetime of happiness and harmony."

After all, in two days, she would be gone. She would be gone for good and they would never get to see each other again.

Early the next morning, Kelly tidied the house from top to bottom. She gathered all the love letters and the gifts that George had given her and packed them. Then ignoring her fever-weakened body, she dragged all of them to the nearest recycling station.

After she had finished, General Palmer returned to the compound and called Kelly into her study, "Kelly, what’s been going on lately? I heard you fell into the river and drown?"

General Palmer was well-known for his fairness. As long as Kelly told the truth, he would undoubtedly investigate thoroughly. Yet, she was too weary and didn’t want any more conflicts.

"It’s nothing. I just slipped and fell," she replied.

General Palmer frowned. "That’s too dangerous. Stay away from the river next time."

Kelly nodded in agreement.

He then pulled a stack of documents from his back. "Kelly," he said. "I’ve already submitted your name for the selection. In two days, a special vehicle will come to take you there."

Kelly nodded again. "I understand. Thank you, Uncle Rick."

General Palmer studied her for a long moment before he sighed. "Have you packed everything? The base is dry and I’m worried you might not adjust well to that environment."

Before Kelly could answer, George suddenly walked into the study and happened to hear the end of the conversation.

"What’s being packed? Where’s Kelly going?" he demanded.

General Palmer just turned his head toward Kelly but did not say anything.

Kelly said calmly, "I’ve been allocated a unit in the relocation housing. I applied for a room and will be moving out."

General Palmer also nodded in agreement. "Yes, Kelly has decided to leave."

George's brows creased a little, "Why is she moving out? Hasn't she been living well here?"

General Palmer gave him a pointed look with a dumbfounded expression. "Your marriage application with Amanda has been approved. In a few days, you’ll be able to collect your marriage certificate. When you have kids, this house won’t have enough space for everyone to live comfortably."

George’s irritation was evident. "This place is huge. Even if we have children, there’s no need to kick her out."

General Palmer shook his head. "You’re starting your own family. Kelly will eventually marry and have children of her own. She’ll need her own space, too."

George’s face turned deathly pale. The thought of Kelly marrying and having children had never crossed his mind.

In his daze, he accidentally knocked over the stack of documents on the desk.

"What’s this?" he asked. "A list of candidates for the satellite research base?"

Kelly’s heart raced as she feared he might see her name on the list. If he found out, there was no telling what kind of trouble he might stir. All she wanted was to leave quietly.

General Palmer, who was unwilling to let the two of them drift apart so easily, finally spoke up, "Yes, these are the candidates selected for the satellite research base. Aren’t you curious who’s on the list?"

Suspicion flashed in George’s eyes and he reached his hand out for the list.

Kelly panicked and she stepped forward, trying to stop him.

Just then, a sudden cry of pain rang out from outside.

"Ah!" It was Amanda's voice.

George immediately dropped the list and turned toward the door with hurried steps. "Amanda, what’s wrong?" he called out.

General Palmer sighed heavily and shook his head, while Kelly’s expression remained impassive.

"Uncle Rick, just drop it," she said.

General Palmer said, "I just don’t want either of you to have regrets in the future."