I was feeling extremely weak from the high fever. So, I allowed the butler to carelessly leave me at home alone.

Fortunately, the doctor had prescribed me some medicine. I consumed it with cold water and curled up on the couch to sleep.

I was covered in sweat when I woke up, but I finally regained some strength.

I had a dozen text messages.

Aside from the address my father had sent me regarding the succession ceremony, the other text messages were from Joe’s throwaway account.

[Thank you for your sudden fever. To make it up to me, Winnie allowed me to hug her the whole night.]

[Winnie said she has more money for me to try new treatments. Even though it’s useless for me, it’s still your hard-earned money. I’ll treasure it.]

He also sent me a photo of a marriage certificate.

Besides the certificate and another photo of them, I saw Winnie’s handwriting that detailed her wish. [Joe, I hope to grow old with you in the next life.]

On the bottom right corner, their thumbprints formed a heart shape.

[Look, Benjamin. Don’t Winnie and I look good together?]

In the past, Joe had sent me various provocative messages. I had treated it as drivel from a dying person.

However, I only felt calm when I read his latest messages.

[Congratulations.]

After I replied to him, I started packing my belongings.

My father had arranged a private jet for me. Since I had agreed to leave, there was no need to stall my stay.

I was halfway through packing when Winnie returned. Her face fell when she saw my luggage.

“Are you leaving?

“Joe still has ten more treatment sessions left. You’re leaving him to fend for himself?”

I did not stop packing. “Doesn’t he have you? I’m making space for him by leaving.”

She then threw a few boxes of gastric medication at my feet. Winnie was furious.

“These ten sessions are going to cost thirty million dollars! If you’re not around, how am I getting the money?

“Benjamin, you said you’d marry me. If you leave now, you’d be going against your word!”

I zipped up my luggage and got to my feet. Then, I saw Joe standing behind her.

I sneered. “Winnie, if you really wanted to marry me, you wouldn’t use Joe’s illness as a threat.”

She was taken aback, and Joe immediately ran over.

“Winnie, don’t fight over me. This is all my fault.

“My illness is holding you back. I’m dying anyway, so all these treatments are just wishful thinking. I’ll be damned if I affect your life anymore.”

His face was pale as he held Winnie’s hand.

“I’m already very happy that I had three more years with you.

“Winnie, I hope you have a happy life with Benjamin. I’ll see you in the next life.”

After that, he ran out with teary eyes.

Winnie was anxious. She looked up and slapped me across the face. “Why can’t you be generous toward a terminally ill patient? Are you even a man?” she said through gritted teeth.

I snickered after getting hit.

“If I’m not a man, why don’t you rush after him?”

Her gaze fell onto my luggage again, and something seemed to occur to her.

“You’ve found another woman, haven’t you? No wonder you’ve been acting strange these past few days, Benjamin.

“No one will want a man who’s failed eight times, I’m telling you. You’re nothing without me!”

Just then, the butler came over.

“Ms. Smith, Mr. Anderson has run toward the bridge…”

Winnie’s eyes widened, and she immediately left. But she still yelled her final warning, “Benjamin, don’t ever come back if you leave! Even if you do, I’ll never forgive you…”

Her voice trailed off as she left. The butler glared at me before leaving with the remaining staff.

A while later, the bodyguards my family employed arrived as expected.

“Mr. Lowe, the succession ceremony will commence in five hours.”

So, I smoothed out my collar.

“Send a few people to the Smith family’s home. They owe me millions. I want you to get it all back for me.”