Chapter 289

Chapter 289
【Luna's Perspective】

Edmund burst into the dining room where Grandfather and I were having breakfast.

"Mr. Blake, Mrs. Morrison! Mr. and Mrs. Blake and the young master have returned!" he announced, his normally composed voice trembling with excitement.

I froze, my teacup suspended midair. Grandfather and I exchanged stunned glances before rushing toward the grand entrance hall.

There they stood—my parents, alive and unharmed after years of absence. My mother, Sofia, looked thinner but still beautiful. My father, Ryan, appeared weathered but strong. Between them stood a small boy with pale skin—my little brother Matthew, whom I'd never met.

"Dad, Mom..." My voice broke as I ran to them, embracing my mother and the small child in her arms. Tears streamed down my face as my father enveloped us all in his arms.

"Luna, my precious daughter," my father whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

Grandfather wiped away tears as he approached. "Welcome home, Ryan. Finally, our family is together again."

After the initial wave of emotion subsided, father looked around expectantly. "Father, where's Mother? Where's Daphne?"

My sobbing intensified. Grandfather gently took Matthew from my mother's arms, avoiding the direct question.

"Luna, please don't cry," my father said, concern etching his features. "What's wrong? Where's your grandmother? Wasn't she rescued too? Where is she?"

I couldn't bear to answer. Instead, I diverted the conversation. "Dad, Mom, how were you rescued? What happened?"

"Max rescued us," my father replied. "Max Morrison—do you know him?"

Fresh tears spilled from my eyes as I nodded.

My mother's eyes widened. "Luna, are you married to Max?"

I nodded again, unable to speak.

"That explains it," my father said with evident relief.

"Marrying Max was the best thing you could have done!" my mother exclaimed. "What an extraordinary young man!"

"Where is Max?" I asked anxiously, suddenly realizing he wasn't with them. "Why didn't he come back with you?"

"He had us evacuate first in the helicopter," my mother explained. "He was still on the island when we left."

"Island?" I echoed, confused.

"Yes," my father clarified. "We've been imprisoned on a private island all these years. Don't worry about Max—he's safe. There was an entire special forces team with him."

My father hesitated before adding, "Though he was injured."

"Injured? How badly?" My heart raced with concern.

"I'm not sure of the extent," my father admitted. "There was blood on his leg, but he insisted we leave first."

I instructed the staff to prepare rooms for my parents and brother, briefly explaining to them the modern amenities they would find upstairs. As they were led away, my father turned back.

"Father," he addressed Grandfather, "you still haven't told me where Mother is."

The servants exchanged uncomfortable glances. When my father repeated his question with increasing concern, Grandfather finally revealed the devastating truth: Grandmother Daphne had been murdered.

My father collapsed into a nearby chair, his face ashen with grief. "How? Who did this?"

"William," I whispered.

"William? Our William?" My father looked incredulous. "That's impossible. He's like a brother to me."

"It's true, Dad," I confirmed gently. "He's been behind everything."

---

【Max's Perspective】

I examined the neat bandage covering my thigh where the doctors had properly cleaned and stitched the wound I'd created when extracting the satellite tracker. The military hospital room was quiet, sunlight streaming through half-drawn blinds. I hadn't called Luna yet, knowing she must be overwhelmed with her family's return.

A knock at the door preceded Orion's entrance, his white cane tapping methodically as he navigated into the room.

"Orion? How did you know I was here?" I asked, genuinely surprised.

"Kevin told me," he replied, finding his way to my bedside. "I knew you couldn't have died so easily."

His confidence made me smile. "It's good to see you."

"Does Luna know you're back?" he asked.

"Her parents have returned home, so she must know I'm alive, but I haven't told her I'm hospitalized."

Orion shook his head disapprovingly. "You orchestrated this entire plan, letting everyone believe you were dead. She became seriously ill from worry. She's probably furious already—do you really want to keep hiding that you're injured? Are you trying to ensure you'll be locked out of your bedroom permanently?"

I laughed. "With Luna's temperament, that's entirely possible."

"Call her soon," he advised. "The longer she waits for you at home, the more anxious she'll become."

"I will," I promised, studying my brother carefully. "Orion, with your vision impairment, a phone call would have sufficed. Why come in person? Is there something you needed to discuss?"

He straightened in his chair. "Max, I do have something to ask."

"What is it?"

"If you capture William, could you keep him alive for a while?"

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

"I know he deserves death for his crimes," Orion continued, "but if you could capture him first, I'd like to ask him to perform brain surgery on me."

"Absolutely not," I responded sharply. "He's extremely dangerous and malicious. Placing your life in his hands would be suicidal."

"If it were you, he'd kill you without hesitation," Orion acknowledged. "But he wouldn't harm me."

"And if he did intend to harm you?"

"Then I accept my fate."

"This is unacceptable," I insisted. "Your current life may have limitations, but you can manage with assistance. Trusting William means placing your life entirely in his hands."

Orion's expression remained resolute. "Max, I've rarely asked anything of you. My vision is too important—I need to take this chance."

"You're gambling with your life on a high-risk surgery with minimal chance of success."

"I understand that."

"Why?" I pressed. "Why are you so determined?"

"I'm tired of being disabled."

I softened my tone. "Orion, no one thinks less of you because of your disability. You don't need to work; you'll be comfortable for the rest of your life. You have wealth, family, and me—I'll never abandon you."

"It's not about work," he said quietly. "Family doesn't mind, but someone else does."

"Who?"

"Zoe Sawyer."

"Who?" I asked, confused.

"Zoe Sawyer," he repeated. "She'll look down on a blind man."

"Did she say that to you?"
"No."
"Does she have feelings for you?"
"No."
"If your vision returns, will she be with you?"
"Not necessarily."

"Then what is this about?"

Orion sighed. "Max, I care for her. I want to pursue her as a whole person—without self-pity or insecurity."

After a moment, he changed the subject. "Is Lily still working for you?"

"No, she's been transferred."

"Where to?"

"I don't know."

"Lily was competent," Orion noted. "Why transfer her?"

"No matter how competent, keeping her close would jeopardize my marriage," I replied carefully.

Orion raised an eyebrow. "Was there something between you—"

"Don't be ridiculous," I cut him off. "Nothing happened."

"Then why not explain in detail?" Luna's voice came from the doorway, her tone acidic.