The information Yulius Linn sent over was very detailed.
For the past three years, Riley Palmer had begun reducing her visits to the psychological clinic.
She looked busy overall, but in reality, she still couldn't sleep, and continued taking the sleeping pills prescribed at the clinic.
"Two days," Adrian Carter said slowly, holding tightly onto Riley Palmer beside him. "Her emotions started becoming unstable since yesterday morning."
Harry Duly nodded slowly, observing Riley Palmer's condition with thoughtful eyes.
"In the past three years, she hasn't taken any antipsychotic medication. Only some sleeping pills, about one bottle every three months." Adrian continued recalling the previous information and finally sent the file directly to Harry.
Harry moved to sit in front of the computer, fingers tapping rapidly across the keyboard.
"Mr. Carter," Harry stood up, holding a pocket watch in his hand as he looked at Adrian, "Ms. Palmer's current condition isn't suitable for an immediate adjustment to her medication. We'll first use a short-term hypnosis session to relax her nerves."
Adrian looked troubled as he glanced at the fearful Riley beside him. He stayed silent for a long time.
"It's not mandatory," Harry explained, voicing his doubt carefully. "Hypnosis can help improve Ms. Palmer's sleep quality. Ms. Palmer, you haven't been sleeping well recently, have you?"
Riley looked at Harry and slowly nodded.
Adrian's gaze toward Riley was full of heartache. "Will hypnosis have any negative effects on her body?"
"No." Harry shook his head gently.
"Shall we try it?" Adrian turned to the girl beside him.
Seeing the fatigue in her eyes, he made the decision for her in silence. "Go ahead."
Harry gently swung the pocket watch in his hand. "Ms. Palmer, if you feel uncomfortable at any point, open your eyes immediately."
Riley nodded slowly.
"Ms. Palmer, next you only need to listen to my voice and respond to my questions slowly."
"Alright."
Harry noticed Adrian's worried expression and offered reassurance. "Mr. Carter, don't worry. Ms. Palmer is only entering a relaxed hypnotic state."
"Hypnosis may trigger deep emotions. If any repressed memories surface, please stay calm and don't interrupt her."
"Alright." Adrian held her palm gently, watching the quietly sleeping Riley beside him.
Half an hour later.
Adrian worked on his tasks beside Riley. Today was supposed to be the routine meeting for the completion report of the Liharbor project, but due to Riley's condition, both the project lead, Riley and the company president, Adrian were absent.
Leonard Sterling was already struggling to handle those stubborn elders. Even someone who had weathered countless storms like Leonard began urging Adrian.
Adrian had no choice but to take out his laptop and work beside Riley.
"Uh… no… don't…" Riley's body suddenly began trembling violently, her head shaking from side to side.
She kept turning restlessly, and Harry immediately stood up, seeing that she had entered an uncontrollable state. He leaned down and gripped her shoulders lightly.
"Ms. Palmer, I'm going to count to five. You will wake up immediately. Five… four… three… two… one…"
Riley's eyes shot open. She stared around in shock at the unfamiliar surroundings, clearly unsettled.
Adrian immediately pulled the trembling girl into his arms, soothing her softly, "Riley, it's okay. I'm here… I'm right here."
Tears streamed endlessly from Riley's eyes as she clung to Adrian with trembling hands, refusing to let go.
Adrian looked coldly at the stunned Harry. "What happened?"
"It seems Ms. Palmer has a memory that she subconsciously erased to protect herself." Harry held the pocket watch, studying her condition. "Mr. Carter, I'll prepare a mild stabilizer for Ms. Palmer. It can help ease her sleep and emotional fluctuations."
"Alright. Thank you." Adrian patted Riley's back gently while watching Harry prepare the medication.
"Riley," Adrian called her softly. "Let go for a moment?"
Instead of answering, Riley immediately tightened her hold around his neck. "No." Her voice was soft yet stubborn.
"Mr. Carter, this medication should only be given when Ms. Palmer is emotionally unstable." Harry handed the medication over with a solemn expression. "Please be careful."
"Got it." Adrian tried to loosen Riley's grip but didn't dare use too much force.
In the end, he could only carry her out of Harry's office.
On the way out, someone kept stealing glances at him. Kenneth Florian frowned at the sight of Adrian and Riley.
His voice carried concern. "Adrian, what's going on?"
He looked at Riley clinging to Adrian's neck and frowned deeper. "Why is she crying?"
Harry explained from the side, "Her emotions were triggered during hypnosis."
Kenneth checked Riley's pulse and lowered his gaze. "Take her home to rest first."
Seeing his great-uncle's uneasy expression, Adrian didn't question further. He bid them farewell and headed home with Riley in his arms.
At Riley's apartment, Adrian asked softly, "Riley, can you unlock the door?"
She didn't respond, only quiet breaths brushed against him.
Adrian leaned helplessly against the wall and tried pressing the doorbell, hoping May Miller was still inside.
After waiting a long time, there was no sound from the apartment.
Adrian sighed, adjusted his hold on Riley, and walked toward his own apartment.
He originally thought keeping Riley in his place might give her a stronger sense of security, helping her recover better.
"Adrian?"
Adrian turned and saw someone in a hat and mask. He smiled faintly. "Yudy."
"What happened to Riley?" Yudy Palmer jogged over. He looked at his sister's sleeping, tear-stained face with growing worry.
Yudy unlocked Riley's apartment and guided them inside.
Adrian had never asked Riley for her apartment password, even though she had wanted to give it to him. But with Chloe Frost and May Miller frequently staying over, Adrian stopped Riley's idea.
He glanced at the frowning Riley before explaining what had happened to Yudy.
Unexpectedly, Yudy didn't look surprised at all, only calm.
Adrian gently placed Riley on her bed and set her plush toy beside her.
"What did you find out?" Yudy asked quietly as he handed Adrian a glass of water, his gaze steady.
Adrian gripped the rim of the cup, lowering his eyes. "Not much."
The curtains blocked most of the harsh sunlight, leaving only a soft glow. A faint breeze rustled the fabric.
Adrian's expression dimmed, unreadable. "Clinic visit records, medical reports."
When he finished, his head lowered even further.
Yudy slowly said, "I discovered Riley's condition when she was nine years old."
"At that time… I had to leave for work, so I left her at a relative's house."
"I only visited her on her birthday each year."
Yudy gave a pained smile, memories flashing in his mind. "In hindsight, I should've taken her away earlier…"
"Every time she looked at me, her eyes were full of tears. But back then… I didn't think much of it."
"Until—"
"Uncle, I don't want to! I don't want to!" Riley's desperate screams filled the entire house.
Yudy had returned just in time to check on her.
He saw his little sister being forced into a wedding dress, pulled and dragged violently.
"What are you doing?!"
Yudy threw the bag in his hands, filled with food and supplies, straight at their uncle's face.
"Yudy!" the uncle roared, grabbing Yudy by the collar. He glared furiously, then urged his wife, "Hurry! Send that useless girl away!"
Yudy slapped the uncle hard across the face, grabbed a wine bottle from the table, and smashed it on the floor.
Holding the jagged glass shards, he shouted, "Let's see who dares!"
Behind him, Riley trembled and kept repeating, "I don't want to! I don't want to marry him! I don't!"
Yudy looked at his sister with heartbreak, then pulled her away gently.
"From now on, we have nothing to do with you. Don't you dare lay a hand on my sister again!"
Riley followed her brother's steps slowly.
The sun was low in the sky as the siblings walked on.
Tears streamed down Yudy's face, but he stayed determined to lead his sister toward the city.
He didn't even have enough money left to buy two bus tickets.
"Yudy…" Riley called softly behind him, her head lowered, her once-empty eyes gradually refocusing.
Yudy crouched down, wiping her tears gently.
"Where are we going?"
He froze for a moment, looking at her red eyes. His hand tightened around her wrist.
When he caught sight of the scars there, his heart twisted painfully.
Deep, long scars, some still red and fresh.
"We're going home," Yudy answered firmly.
In his pocket, the postcards shifted slightly.
Yudy looked at the sleeping Riley and smiled bitterly. "When I saw the scars on her wrist, my heart just dropped."
"She was only nine… and they wanted to force her into marriage. I don't even know what would've happened to her if I hadn't come back…"
Yudy leaned against the wall and slowly slid down, his eyes full of regret.
His voice trembled. "Afterward… I signed a lifelong contract with Launch Enterprise. They promised to buy us an apartment and pay for her schooling. But…"
Adrian finished for him quietly, "But you have to follow the career path they arranged for you, right?"
Yudy didn't look up or answer. He only stared quietly at his sister.
"Adrian, I don't know what will happen to me in the future… I just hope you can protect her."
Adrian looked down at Yudy, brushed Riley's hair away from her face, and said softly, "Brother, leave your matters to me."
Before Yudy could object, Adrian continued, "Do it for Riley. You're her only family."
Yudy lowered his head, his voice soft. "Thank you."