When Quinn returned to the mansion, it had started to rain. 

The sky was a gloomy shade of gray as a light rain fell, giving off an unsettling feeling. 

Harlan was heading back to Jexburgh, while she still didn’t know how much longer she would have to stay in Yarburn. 

Aside from an old house in town that still needed paperwork to be sorted, most of her parents‘ assets had already been taken care of. 

And as for these assets, she decided to wait until she found Rowan. Then, they would determine what to do with them together. 

As for her parents‘ belongings that they once used, she had kept them all in their city apartment. 

Sometimes, when she returned to that house and saw those furnishings that were so familiar from her youth, it felt as though she had stepped back in time. Her parents and older brother were still there, and they were a happy, content family of four. 

Every time, she couldn’t help but feel her eyes well up with tears. 

She knew better than anyone else that in order for life to remain peaceful, there would always be someone shouldering the burdens, always someone making sacrifices for these good times. 

Her parents would never regret their sacrifices, because it was their steadfast conviction. 

And she, she would continue to tread this same path of steadfast conviction, without a shred of regret! 

Harlan’s car pulled up outside Julius‘ mansion. 

“All right, you can drop me off here,” Quinn said to Harlan. 

Harlan gave Quinn a meaningful look, then handed her an umbrella. “All right, you should go now. See you in Jexburgh.” 

“The rain outside isn’t heavy, and I can make it to the house with a quick dash, so it’s really inconvenient for me to borrow your umbrella. How would I return it?” Quinn said, attempting to return the umbrella to Harlan. 

However, Harlan said, “When we meet again in Jexburgh, you can return it to me then. For now, could you please take good care of this umbrella for me?” 

“All right then,” responded Quinn. 

A smile tugged at the corners of Harlan’s lips. 

Quinn stepped out of the car, umbrella in hand. Only after she watched the car drive away did she turn around and walk into the mansion. 

However, just as she was about to step into the main house, she abruptly stopped in her tracks. 

Not far off, a tall figure stood under the large tree in the courtyard, letting the rain drench him. 

The man’s head was lifted slightly as he allowed the rain to hit his face, neck, and body… 

1/3 

His black hair clung to his cheeks, and his white shirt had long since soaked through, sticking damply to his body. 

“Julius, why are you standing here?” Quinn asked in surprise. 

The man slowly turned his head, his dark, deep–set eyes focusing on her. His lips, almost devoid of color, slowly parted to say, “So, you’re back!” 

Despite being a highly esteemed figure, at this moment, Julius gave Quinn the impression of being so fragile, as if he could shatter at any moment. 

When they had breakfast together earlier that morning, he wasn’t like this at all! 

What on earth had happened? Something must have occurred to make Julius seem as if he had become a completely different person. 

“Yes, I’m back,” said Quinn as she stepped forward, raising the umbrella in her hand. 

The large black umbrella shielded the two of them from the falling rain above. 

“The rain’s getting heavier here. Let’s head back inside,” suggested Quinn. 

However, it seemed as if Julius hadn’t heard a word, his gaze once again turning to the towering tree before him. “Did you know? My mother used to love climbing this tree.” 

“What?” Quinn was stunned. His mother had been fond of climbing trees? 

“She was always climbing trees to gaze into the distance. She longed to escape from here, but my father had her trapped. There was simply no way out,” said Julius. 

Quinn remained silent. 

“Quinn, I’m not my father, and I’ll never be like him!” he said in a low voice. 

“Yeah,” responded Quinn. 

Julius stiffened, swiftly turning to look at her. “You believe me?” 

“Yes, I believe you,” she said. 

A strange, new emotion began to slowly spread through Julius. 

Many people often remarked on how similar he was to his father. They speculated that perhaps one day, he too might end up like his father – a madman! 

But here she was, believing that he wouldn’t be like his father. 

“All right, let’s go. You’re soaked through. We’d better get inside quickly so you don’t get sick.” Quinn took a step forward, only to notice that Julius was still standing where he was. 

Hence, she reached out and took his hand, leading him toward the main house. 

The rain relentlessly hit the umbrella, creating a constant pitter–patter sound. 

Julius stared blankly at the hand that held his own. It was significantly smaller than his, with calluses on the fingers. Despite its slender appearance, there was a sense of strength to it, a stark contrast to the frail, 

2/3 

almost–boneless hands of other women.