While Colin was at the hospital, Kate and Gerard climbed into the ambulance.

Kate was seething. Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined that Colin—always so meek and obedient around her—would dare to lay a hand on her.

And he'd beaten Gerard to a pulp.

Before they even reached the hospital, she was already on the phone with Iris, lodging her complaints.

"Mom, is something wrong? I'm in a meeting right now. Can I call you back later?" Iris kept her voice low.

Kate's shrill voice cut through. "Forget the meeting, Iris! Something terrible happened! That bastard Colin has gone completely off the rails!"

"Mom, what's going on?"

Kate's voice cracked with theatrical sobs. "Gerard and I went to see Colin about that calligraphy piece. The second that animal heard it was an authentic Master Ashen work, he tried to snatch our family treasure!"

"When we refused to hand it over, he hit me! And he beat Gerard—badly. Gerard's injuries are critical. He's in surgery right now, fighting for his life!"

"What?"

Iris immediately cut the meeting short, her voice sharp with alarm. "Gerard's in surgery?"

"Could you please stop exaggerating? It's just superficial wounds and a fractured arm. His life isn't in danger," the paramedic snapped, shooting Kate a withering look.

Hearing the paramedic's words, Iris relaxed. "Mom, you're being dramatic. Colin would never hit anyone. He's the gentlest person I know."

"Gentle my ass! You didn't see the look on his face—like he wanted to kill me and your brother! If we hadn't run fast enough, we'd be dead!"

Iris rolled her eyes. There was no way she'd believe Colin was capable of murder.

"By the way, Mom—what did you find out? Did Colin write that calligraphy?"

"Of course that animal didn't write it! If he had, why would he try to steal it?" Kate's voice dripped with anguish. "That's an authentic Master Ashen piece, worth millions! Iris, you need to have Colin arrested immediately and get our treasure back!"

Iris's tone remained calm. "Mom, it was Colin's property to begin with. If he took it back, that's his right. Let it go."

"Let it go? He robbed us—"

Before Kate could finish, Iris moved to hang up. Kate scrambled. "Wait, don't hang up! There's something else! Colin's keeping a mistress on the side. She helped him beat us!"

"A mistress?" Iris laughed. She believed that even less.

After three years of marriage, she knew Colin's character inside and out. Other women could be stunning, and he wouldn't spare them a second glance.

"Mom, I'm in a meeting. We'll talk later." Her tone was dismissive.

Kate turned hysterical. "Iris! Your mother and brother are in the hospital because of him! If you won't do anything about it, I might as well be dead! Don't try to stop me—I'm jumping out of this ambulance!"

Hearing her mother's theatrics, Iris had no choice but to relent. "Fine, Mom. I'll call Colin later and find out what happened. If he really hit you, I won't let him get away with it."

"Iris, you have to avenge your mother..."

"DIE!"

The thirteen venomous insects had arranged themselves into that single character inside the jar, and the sight sent ice through Marjorie's veins.

There was no mistaking it. This was a declaration of war. A threat. A show of force.

As the reigning queen of Seacliff's business world—the precious heiress of the Floyd family—Marjorie had weathered countless storms.

But facing something this sinister and unnatural rattled even her.

"What do we do?" She looked to Colin, helpless.

Colin remained unruffled. A faint smile played at his lips. "I've already dealt with this particular problem for you. Whether I continue helping depends on what your grandfather decides."

Marjorie blinked, then quickly dialed her grandfather.

She returned moments later. "Colin, my grandfather says he'll have the Blood Ganoderma delivered immediately. He's asking you to resolve this threat completely. And within the month, he'll send you a Dragon-Scale Root as well!"

Dragon-Scale Root!

Colin's eyes lit up. It was a spiritual herb—one that strengthened the body and laid the foundation for cultivation.

The old patriarch certainly knew what Colin needed, offering terms he couldn't refuse.

Now that Colin had broken the Dragon Seal, his most pressing task was cultivation. Only by restoring his former strength could he accomplish what he needed to do.

Including seeking justice for his daughter.

"Very well. I'll see this through to the end." Colin smiled slightly.

Marjorie's spirits lifted. "So what's our next move?"

Colin considered for a moment. "Whoever's behind this is clearly targeting Longtide Group. Most likely a business rival. You'd know better than I would who might be responsible."

Marjorie's beautiful eyes narrowed. "I have a few suspects in mind, but nothing concrete."

"Investigate. You'll find traces eventually. They failed this time, which means they'll try again. It won't be long before we see their true faces."

Colin's voice was calm. "So for now, we stay composed and wait—"

Before he could finish, Samuel and Russell burst through the door.

"It's been a while. How's the treatment going?" Samuel demanded.

"They've stabilized." Marjorie gestured toward the monitoring equipment.

Samuel checked the readings. Sure enough, all the vital signs had returned to normal.

"Heh heh, Mr. Floyd, I told you so."

Russell stroked his beard with a satisfied smile. "After I used my silver needles to purge the toxins, naturally they recovered."

"Excuse me?"

Marjorie and Colin exchanged glances, equally stunned.

This man had nearly caused a catastrophe. Colin was the one who saved these patients. And now Russell was swooping in to claim credit?

"Dr. Murphy is truly remarkable," Samuel praised.

Colin said nothing. He didn't care about credit—his eyes were fixed only on the Blood Ganoderma.

But Marjorie couldn't let this slide. "It was Colin who cured them. Why are you taking credit? Besides, these employees weren't poisoned—they were infected with venomous insects."

"Your needle technique only agitated the creatures inside them, accelerating their deaths. Did you already forget what happened?"

"Nonsense! What venomous insects? This was clearly poisoning. Without my needle therapy to purge the toxins, would they have recovered?" Russell argued indignantly.

"See for yourself. The insects are right here—Colin extracted every one of them." Marjorie pointed to the glass jar on the table.

Russell leaned in for a closer look, then scoffed. "Venomous insects? These are just caterpillars. This Colin fellow caught some bugs to trick you, and you can't even see through such an obvious ploy?"

With that, he reached for the jar.

"Don't open it!" Colin's expression shifted.

But it was too late. Russell had already pried off the lid, sneering, "Look—these are obviously just cater—"

Before he could finish, a black insect shot out like lightning and burrowed into Russell's nostril.

The color drained from Russell's face. Within seconds, searing pain tore through him.

He collapsed to his knees before Colin, his face contorted in agony.

"Dr. Cox, save me—"

"Ha ha ha ha..."

Marjorie couldn't contain herself, bursting into laughter at the memory of what had just happened.

Dr. Murphy on his knees, kowtowing to Colin, begging desperately until his forehead split and bled—utterly pathetic.

And Uncle Samuel, who'd always been a thorn in her side, his face had gone dark as a storm cloud.

After all, Dr. Murphy was Uncle Samuel's man, while Colin was hers. Each reflected on their respective standing.

Clearly, her uncle had lost all face in front of her this time.

"Hey, why did you save that old fraud Russell Murphy anyway?" Marjorie nudged Colin with her elbow. "He couldn't even diagnose the problem, just put on airs. Would've served him right to die."

Colin's tone was mild. "He's a traditional medicine practitioner. Not recognizing a gu parasite is understandable."

"But you practice traditional medicine too, and you spotted it right away," Marjorie pressed, curiosity piqued.

Colin smiled faintly. "Don't compare me to others. It wouldn't be fair."

"You—"

Marjorie stared at his retreating figure, something stirring in her chest.

His words had been modest enough, but she was sharp. She understood exactly what he meant.

What an arrogant man!

Her heart fluttered. She'd always considered herself proud, but this Colin seemed even more so.

And he had every right to be.

What kind of man is he, really?

The question lingered in her mind, and she found herself genuinely intrigued.

After leaving the hospital, Colin called the old patriarch to ensure the Blood Lingzhi would be delivered tonight.

He'd barely hung up when Iris's name flashed on his screen.

He hesitated for a few seconds before answering.

"Colin, did you hit my mother and Gerard?" Iris launched straight into accusations.

Colin gave a flat "Mm."

"Colin, how could you? Yes, my mother never liked you, but you lived under the same roof for three years. We just got divorced and you're already attacking them like this? It makes me question your character."

Her voice rose with anger.

"Is this because they mocked you when we signed the papers? You held a grudge and decided to get revenge?"

"So that's what you think of me."

Colin laughed coldly. "Fine. I have nothing to say. Goodbye."

"Wait, Colin."

Silence stretched for a moment before she spoke again. "I'm sorry. I was too harsh. But I need to know—why did you hit them?"

"They were going to burn my daughter's clothes," Colin said evenly. "I taught them a lesson. Is there a problem?"

"Oh... I see."

Understanding dawned. Iris knew what those clothes meant to him—handmade, stitch by stitch, for his little girl.

They represented his love for her.

"Colin, I'm sorry. What my mother and Gerard did was completely out of line."

Her apology met only silence. She sighed deeply.

"Colin, does it have to be like this between us? I was thinking... even though our marriage is over, we could still be friends."

"I don't know why, but not seeing you at the company feels strange. Like something's missing. Like I've lost some sense of security..."

Colin laughed at that.

You haven't seen anything yet. You'll lose far more than just 'some sense of security.'

Do you have any idea how many problems I quietly solved for you? Your success, Iris Fox—if not entirely my doing, at least ninety percent of it was!

"Iris," he said coldly, "don't you realize how childish, ridiculous, and shameless you sound? If, at the height of my success, instead of sharing that joy with my wife, I kicked her aside and even..."

His teeth ground together audibly.

"Even destroyed everything she hoped for—do you understand what our daughter meant to me? You... you're worse than an animal, to be so heartless!"

"Your conscience will haunt you for the rest of your life. Her ghost will be your nightmare forever!"

"Iris Fox, you deserve to burn in hell!"

On the other end, Iris clutched her phone, her body trembling as if struck by lightning, her face draining of all color.

Colin's words were like blades, slicing her heart to ribbons.

"I'm sorry, Colin, I'm sorry..."

She broke down sobbing.

"But I'll prove you wrong! Everything I've lost, I'll gain back a hundred times over! I, Iris Fox, will become the most successful businesswoman in Seacliff! My net worth will exceed billions—tens of billions! I'll be like Marjorie Floyd, a queen of commerce, a legend!"

Her voice cracked with desperation.

"Fine. I'll be waiting to see how you become a legend."

Colin hung up, almost amused.

A legend? She can barely hold things together as they are.

Take Snowfall Pharma's flagship product—that pediatric cough syrup. Highly effective, top seller on the market.

Snowfall Pharma had risen to prominence on the strength of that single product.

The formula? Colin had secretly given it to Iris when her company was on the brink of bankruptcy. That alone had brought it back from the dead and propelled it to where it stood today.

But the syrup's key ingredient, Purple Heart Grass, was extremely rare. The plant was delicate and notoriously difficult to cultivate.

Colin had personally intervened, spending three full months laying a massive formation array across Snowfall Pharma's thousand-acre herb fields, creating the precise conditions the grass needed to thrive.

Only because of that array could the Purple Heart Grass flourish, providing a steady supply of raw materials for their flagship product.

But his powers hadn't fully recovered. The array was incomplete and required maintenance every month.

Without upkeep, the formation would fail. The Purple Heart Grass would wither.

And without raw materials, Snowfall Pharma's star product would cease to exist.

He didn't need to lift a finger. The company would collapse on its own.

When that day came, Colin would make Iris understand just how catastrophically wrong she had been.

And he would make her kneel—kneel and beg forgiveness from their daughter's spirit.

He would get justice for his little girl.

He burned for that day to come.

Just then, Marjorie approached from behind. "Colin, Longtide Group is hosting an Imperial Night Feast tonight. Want to come?"

"Not interested." He had only one thing on his mind—the Blood Lingzhi and restoring his body.

"Starlight Pharma, one of Longtide's subsidiaries, will be selecting partners and signing major contracts at the banquet."

Marjorie's narrow phoenix eyes glittered with an almost hypnotic light.

Her voice dropped, soft and enticing. "Iris Fox will be there too..."

Colin looked up at her, radiant and alluring.

"Time and place," he said slowly.

"Hahaha, Iris, you finally divorced that useless Colin! This is wonderful—what great news to come back to!"

A woman in professional attire and black stockings laughed with undisguised delight.

Her name was Queenie Bell, Iris's cousin and deputy manager at Snowfall Pharma. After Iris's rise to prominence, Aunt Kate had arranged for Queenie to join the company as Iris's assistant.

"Queenie, actually..." Iris wanted to confide in her cousin.

But she thought better of it. Anything she said would reach Aunt Kate's ears by tomorrow.

Queenie patted Iris's shoulder. "Listen to me, I'm telling you this for your own good. I've been urging you to divorce him for ages. That deadweight was only dragging you down. Without him holding you back, you'll soar even higher."

A smile finally spread across Iris's face. This was exactly what she wanted to hear.

All she wanted now was to prove to Colin that Iris Fox would only become more and more successful.

"By the way, Queenie, how did your trip to Lakeside City go?" Iris asked.

"Hah, couldn't have gone better."

Queenie's grin was smug. "The moment they heard Snowfall Pharma's name, those small pharmaceutical companies came swarming. Even Renchuan Pharma, who used to turn their noses up at us, completely changed their tune."

"What's that saying again? 'The me you once ignored is now the me you can't afford.' That's us, that's Snowfall Pharma. But the real prize is the partnership with the Floyd family. We've made their shortlist, and we should hear back tonight. If we could partner with a giant like Longtide Group..." She clicked her tongue. "All of Seacliff would be ours for the taking!"

"What are you two chatting about?"

Henry strolled over, producing three invitation cards with a smile. "I managed to get invitations to the Imperial Night Feast. One for each of us."

"The Imperial Night Feast?"

Queenie's jaw dropped. "I've heard about that—it's being hosted by the Floyd family's heiress herself. She's invited celebrities and elites from every sector. It's a massive event; even ordinary millionaires can't get in."

"Henry, you're incredible! You actually got three invitations!"

"Heh."

Henry smiled with casual ease. "Getting these was nothing. I mainly wanted to help Iris."

"I heard Snowfall Pharma made the Floyds' partnership shortlist. I'll find an opportunity to get Iris some face time with their executives. That should boost your chances of being selected."

"Listen to this man! I'm about to cry from how sweet that is."

Stars practically sparkled in Queenie's eyes.

"Iris, Henry's been so good to you—always thinking of your interests, and so capable too. Isn't he ten thousand times better than that worthless Colin? If it were me, I'd marry him without a second thought."

Warmth bloomed in Iris's chest. She smiled radiantly. "Henry, thank you."

That smile was breathtakingly beautiful. Henry's gaze fixed on her, unable to look away, barely restraining himself from pulling her into his arms right then and there.

"Iris, our company was already strong, but once we play our trump card—the Pediatric Lung-Clear Oral Solution—no one else will even come close. Add Henry's connections to that, and we're guaranteed to be chosen." Queenie was brimming with confidence.

"I'm confident too!"

Iris's smile grew brighter. Everything was moving in the right direction. All the bad things—and bad people—had to be left behind. People like Colin.

"I heard Miss Floyd herself will be attending tonight. Maybe we'll even get to meet her."

"I'd love to see Miss Floyd in person."

Iris was genuinely excited. Marjorie Floyd was a queen of commerce, a legend—and Iris's idol.

They drove to Tang Rhyme Pavilion, where the feast was being held.

Iris stepped out of the car in a flowing white gown, her tall, slender figure and graceful neck giving her the air of an elegant swan.

"Wow, what a beauty! Absolutely stunning!"

"That's Iris Fox, the one everyone's been talking about—CEO of Snowfall Pharma. Not only is she gorgeous, she's a rising star in the business world. Her net worth is already eight or nine hundred million!"

"Word is that Starlight Pharma, under Longtide Group, is looking to partner with Snowfall Pharma. A powerhouse alliance. Iris is on fire—she's been dominating the business magazines!"

The admiring gazes and whispers of praise made Queenie preen, lifting her chin proudly.

But Iris paid no attention to the flattery. Her eyes had caught a figure standing by the roadside.

It was Colin, standing beside a luxury car.

The sight unsettled her. After a moment's hesitation, she walked over.

His nose was straight and sharp as a blade, his profile seemingly carved by an axe—all hard, angular lines.

Iris felt a strange unfamiliarity. He used to be gentle, warm as jade. But now his face had grown cold and severe.

"Colin, what are you doing here?" she asked.

Colin turned. Seeing her, his expression remained utterly unmoved.

"Ah, President Fox. Why I'm here isn't really your concern."

Iris brushed off his attitude and gestured toward the grand building ahead. "I'm here for the Floyd family's Imperial Night Feast. Snowfall Pharma is doing better than ever. If all goes well, I'll secure a contract with the Floyds tonight."

"Congratulations." Colin smiled.

His response caught Iris off guard. She wanted to see bitterness, discomfort—maybe even him begging her to reconcile. That would have given her the satisfaction she craved. But Colin seemed entirely unbothered.

"Well, well, who do we have here? Iris's useless husband—oh wait, useless ex-husband."

Queenie's mocking voice cut in as she and Henry approached.

"I told you ages ago to divorce Iris, but you had no self-awareness. Now you've been tossed out like garbage, scurrying around like a stray dog. Bet you wish you'd listened sooner."

Colin laughed. "Which eye of yours sees me scurrying?"

"Hmph! Stubborn as a mule. As if a loser like you could ever set foot in a place as exclusive as Tang Rhyme Pavilion." Queenie sneered.

"And what brings you here?" Colin asked mildly.

"We're here for the Floyd family's Imperial Night Feast, obviously."

Queenie brandished the invitation in her hand. "Open those beady eyes and take a good look. This is a Floyd family invitation—only people with real status in Seacliff get these!"

"For trash like you, just seeing one should be an honor!"

"Iris, show him your invitation. Let this nobody see what real prestige looks like!"

Iris produced her invitation and waved it in front of Colin. "Colin, you can't get in without one of these. But if you want, I suppose I could bring you inside."

"That won't be necessary."

Just then, the luxury car's door opened, and Marjorie stepped out.

Her commanding presence—regal as a queen—and her breathtaking beauty made everyone present freeze.

Even Iris was stunned.

"Invitations?" Marjorie glanced at the others, then reached into the car. "We have some too."

She emerged with a thick stack of invitation cards—easily over a hundred—and deposited them in Colin's arms. "Here. They're all yours."

"One will do."

Colin pulled out a single invitation. The rest he tossed casually into a nearby trash bin.