"Sebastian! Sebastian, wake up!"

"Julian, call an ambulance!"

Clara frantically pressed her hands against his chest, trying to stem the flow of blood.

Julian pursed his lips and dialed the emergency number.

But he knew very well that once a dagger pierces the heart, survival is nearly impossible.

The red light of the emergency room stayed on all night. Julian stayed by Clara’s side, keeping watch outside.

When dawn broke, the doctor walked out, letting out a long sigh as he spoke.

Clara’s legs went weak, and she staggered back several steps, only to be caught firmly by Julian.

"It was their retaliation..." Clara murmured to herself. "Why did Sebastian have to die for me?"

Julian remained silent for a long time before hugging her tightly. "This is what Sebastian wanted to do."

He had done many wrong things and had caused the death of Clara’s loved ones.

He wanted to give his life back to Clara; he wanted to use his life to apologize to her.

...

Six months later, at the D.C. Auditorium.

The public security department was holding an awards and commendation ceremony, and Clara took the stage to speak.

After the leader of the criminal syndicate was captured, they put in months of hard work to finally uproot the organization completely.

Along this journey, there was hardship and danger.

On the road ahead, there would surely be many more obstacles.

But Clara never regretted a thing.

When she stepped out of the auditorium, Julian was there to pick her up as usual.

"Is it over?" Julian arched an eyebrow and gallantly opened the car door for her.

Clara slid inside.

Compared to half a year ago, she was in a much better state.

Her injuries were almost entirely healed, her cheeks had filled out a bit, and her expression was much more vibrant.

She said jokingly, "Mr. Julian, if you stay in the country any longer, I’m afraid Elder Mr. Julian will hire mercenaries to kidnap and threaten me."

"Don't talk nonsense." Julian tapped her forehead lightly. "I plan to stay in the country permanently."

"...What?"

Most of the Julian family’s influence was in the United States; his decision came as a great surprise to Clara.

"The Sebastian family has fallen, and this is a good opportunity for us. We were bound to come back eventually."

Clara couldn't help but ask, "Does Elder Mr. Julian know?"

"He doesn't." Julian said solemnly. "But don't worry, when he comes charging over, I will definitely stand in front of Miss Clara and never let the 'evil forces' harm our lovely Miss Clara."

Clara was amused by him.

"Of course..."

Julian’s lips curled slightly. "There are other reasons why I want to stay."

He looked at Clara meaningfully.

Clara turned her face away, pretending not to hear.

Julian was a very patient man; in the past, whenever she avoided him, he would never force her.

Presumably, it would be the same this time.

Julian gave a light laugh and signaled the driver to stop. "We're here."

Clara didn't dare look at him and stepped out of the car with her head down.

Only after getting out did she realize that the car had driven into a beautiful manor, rather than the small apartment she had been living in recently.

Clara turned around in confusion. "Julian..."

Julian walked up to her and dropped to one knee.

"Will you spend the rest of your life with me, honey?"

Clara was stunned.

Julian looked her straight in the eye. "I know you're afraid of marriage... If you can't accept, you can just pretend you don't understand English."

Clara stood there for a long time.

She thought of her mother.

On an ordinary day in her childhood, with dust motes swirling in the sunbeams, her mother had held her on her lap.

"I hope you can be a brave child in the future."

In the first half of her life, she had indeed encountered many terrible things and suffered many wounds.

But just as her mother had taught her:

"Fortune favors the bold."

She smiled. "I'm not illiterate; how am I supposed to pretend I don't understand?"

After a pause, Clara took the ring from Julian’s hand.

"I do, Mr. Zhou."

[THE END]