Tyrson emerged from the VIP ward, and was greeted by the sight of Michelle standing in the hallway, clutching a large teddy bear.

"Mr. Philanthropist!" she called out to him, and Tyrson felt his heart swell with affection."Thanks for this"

Kneeling down in front of her, he gently patted her head. "You're welcome, sweetheart," he said. "I'm glad you like it."

If only Michelle knew what Tyrson had planned for her. He wanted to make her feel special and show her that he cared about her.

He smiled at her, and said, "You can tell me anything you want, and I'll get it for you." Michelle's eyes widened in surprise and delight.

"Really?" Michelle's face lit up, but then she quickly looked worried. "Mom won't like that," she said, biting her lip.

Tyrson couldn't help but wonder why Meryl was so strict with Michelle. She was doing a great job of protecting her daughter, but it seemed like she was too overprotective.

"Don't worry," Tyrson said reassuringly. "I've already spoken with your mom, and she's okay with it." He smiled as he saw the relief on Michelle's face.

"You're the best after dad, Mr philanthropist!" She said and Tyrson couldn't help but smile at Michelle's sweet words.

"Best after dad?" Tyrson asked, a smile playing on his lips.

Michelle nodded enthusiastically. "Hun! I heard mom tell Aunty Cassie that no one has ever compared to my dad," she said.

"Do you like my mom?" Michelle asked, her eyes wide and innocent. Tyrson bit back a smile - it was so adorable how serious she was being.

"What if I say I do?" Tyrson teased, trying to hold back his laughter.

"But... but what about dad?" Michelle said, a frown creasing her brow. "He'd be so hurt if he found out."

Tyrson's heart melted. He loved how protective she was of her father. "I'd never hurt your dad"

Tyrson had thought that Michelle would hate him as her father, but he was pleasantly surprised by her response. She didn't seem to hate him at all in fact, she seemed to genuinely care about him.

"Okay, okay," Tyrson said with a chuckle. "I promise I won't like your mom. I need to get back to work, though" she nodded, her eyes full of hope.

"You're coming back, right?" she asked, her voice slightly uncertain. Tyrson smiled and nodded.

Tyrson stood up, and Cassie and Manson joined them. Earlier He had asked Manson to bring some candy and a teddy bear for Michelle, and the little girl's face lit up when she saw them.

"You two really seem to get along," Cassie said, smiling.

Meryl, who had been watching the whole interaction, stepped forward. "That's my daughter for you," she said, a proud smirk on her face.

"Alright, we'll be going now," Tyrson said, shooting one last glance at Meryl before following Manson out the door.

As soon as they were gone, Meryl scooped up Michelle and carried her back into the VIP ward. Once she had the little girl settled in her bed.

"Mom, do you like Mr. Philanthropist?" Michelle asked, her eyes wide and curious.

"Where did you hear that?" Meryl asked, her eyebrows raised.

"Mr. Philanthropist told me!" Michelle said, giggling.

Meryl looked flabbergasted. "He did?" she asked, her voice incredulous.

"Cassie, you don't think Tyrson should be teaching my daughter about that sort of thing, do you?" Meryl asked, clearly upset.

"Don't worry, Meryl," Cassie said, trying to soothe her friend's ruffled feathers. "He's just trying to be playful with her. It's all in good fun."

Meryl sighed, still not convinced. "Well, I hope he knows she's still just a child," she said sternly.

"Time for bed!" Meryl said, her voice firm.

Michelle immediately pulled the blanket up to her chin, a pout on her face. "But I'm not sleepy!" she protested.

"Yes, you are," Meryl said, smiling despite herself. "You've had a big day, and it's time for bed."

"But..." Michelle started, but Meryl cut her off.

"No buts!" Meryl said.

*

"He wants child custody, and he wants me to come and live with him, too," Meryl said, her tone filled with resignation.

Cassie was silent for a moment, before she said, "You should be happy about this! It's the best way to protect yourself from Ludovic."

Meryl sighed. "But what about you?" she asked, her eyes wide with concern.

"Don't worry about me," Cassie said, smiling. "I'll be fine. It's not like I'm going to be leaving you and Michelle.

Meryl wrapped her arms around Cassie, pulling her close in a tight embrace. "You're going to be okay," she said, her voice soft and reassuring. "I know you will."

*

Ludovic's smirk was infuriating, and Julia struggled to keep her temper in check. "A small task, huh? You think I can't handle it?" she spat, her hands clenched into fists.

"It seems that way," Ludovic said, taking a long drag of his cigar and blowing the smoke in Julia's direction.

She coughed, and her temper flared. "You know, you could have done this yourself," she snapped. "Instead of making me do your dirty work for you.

"You should have done it then, instead of just making me do it, I should have known you were using me for your own selfish needs" Julia snarled at him angrily.

"I never thought of you as selfish," Julia said, her voice shaking with anger. "But now I see that's all you are. Using me for your own gain."

Ludovic laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. "We both gained something from our arrangement," he said, his eyes narrowing. "You're just upset because you thought we were friends."

"That's not what this is about," Julia said, her hands trembling.

"If you even try to involve Tyrson in any of your schemes, I'll make sure you regret it," Julia said, her voice shaking with anger. "I won't let you hurt him."

As Ludovic rose from his seat, Julia found herself instinctively backing away from him. "You think you could hurt me?" he asked, a dark smile playing on his lips. "You're like a fly to me. I could squash you in an instant."

Julia swallowed hard, her heart racing. She knew Ludovic was right - he was much stronger and more powerful than she was.

Julia reached for her bag, but before she could grab it,  Ludovic's hands closed around Julia's throat, and she could feel her breath leaving her body.

She struggled, trying to break free, but it was no use. He was too strong.

"Let me go!" she managed to choke out, her voice barely a whisper. "You monster!"

"You think you're going to get away with this?" Julia rasped out, her voice strained from the pressure on her throat.

"I have evidence that will incriminate you if anything happens to me." She gave a dark laugh, despite the terror she was feeling.

Ludovic was caught off guard by her words, and for a moment he faltered. Taking advantage of his distraction, Julia picked up a glass cup from the table and threw it at his face.

The cup hit him in the eye, and he let out a howl of pain. His grip loosened, and Julia was able to break free. She shoved him hard, sending him crashing into the table, which shattered under his weight.

She took a few steps back, panting and trembling.
As Ludovic lay on the floor, writhing in pain, Julia took a moment to catch her breath. She could hear him cursing under his breath.

"You messed with the wrong person!" Julia yelled as she grabbed her bags and ran out the door. She could hear Ludovic cursing after her, but she didn't care.

The sound of Ludovic's henchmen rushing into the room reached her ears.

Ludovic's men burst into the room, their eyes wide with surprise at the sight of their boss on the floor, bleeding and in pain.

"Boss!" one of them cried out, rushing to his side.

"Get her!" Ludovic yelled, his voice hoarse with pain. "Find her and bring her back to me!"

*

Julia rushed into the room, looking disheveled and out of breath. Her face was pale and her hair was a mess. Iris, who had been reading a book on the couch, looked up in alarm.

"What's wrong?" he asked, his eyes wide. "Are you okay?"

still panting. She looked up at him with wild eyes, and he could see that she was clearly shaken.

"Nothing," Julia said, her voice trembling. "Just... just don't open the door for anyone, okay?"

Iris frowned, his concern growing. Something was clearly very wrong. He walked over to her and gently touched her arm. That's when he saw the bruise on her neck, and his eyes widened.

"What did you do this time?" he asked, his voice tight with worry. "Please tell me what's going on."

"It's nothing, mind your business!" She retorted and left him there wondering what she had been up.

Iris watched as Julia stormed out of the room, her heart racing. He had never seen her so worked up before, and he couldn't help but worry about what might have happened. Had she gotten herself into some kind of trouble?

"What have you gotten yourself into this time around?" He wondered.

*

Meryl, Cassie, and Michelle stood outside the hospital, watching as a new Mercedes-Benz pulled up and Manson came in another car.

"Wow," said Michelle, as Tyrson got out of the car. "Look mom! It's Mr Philanthropist."

Meryl rolled her eyes. It was no secret that Tyrson was loaded, is he trying to show off now. And what was Manson doing here? He was always hanging around Tyrson, but she had no idea why.

"We just got discharged from the hospital," Michelle said eagerly, "Can you give us a ride in your new car?"

Michelle had always seen the parents of some of the students at her school pick up their kids in fancy cars. She'd dreamed of riding in one of those cars herself one day.

Watching Tyrson's sleek new Mercedes-Benz pull up to the curb, she couldn't help but feel a little envious. He was so rich, and she wondered what it would be like to have him as her father.

Maybe then she could buy whatever she wanted, and her mom will never have to worry about money again.

"I'm here to pick you both up," Tyrson said, and Michelle's eyes widened with excitement.

Tyrson gave a little chuckle at her reaction. He found it endearing how easily she got excited about things. It was refreshing to see her act like a child she is.

"You'd better behave, Michelle," Meryl said sternly.

Michelle pouted, her lower lip jutting out in a childish display of defiance.

Tyrson could barely contain his amusement at the interaction between mother and daughter. Meryl was clearly the disciplinarian.

Tyrson turned to Meryl and said, "You should get it. I'll drop you guys at my place." Meryl looked away, avoiding his gaze.

"I need to get my things from my place," Meryl replied, her tone defensive. Tyrson smirked, as if he knew she was looking for an excuse to avoid riding with him.

"Don't worry, I've got everything taken care of," Tyrson said, a grin spreading across his face. Meryl's gaze darted to Cassie.

"Whoa there, no need to glare," Cassie said, raising her hands in surrender. "He asked for my help, after all."

Meryl rolled her eyes.

Tyrson opened the back door of the car for Michelle to climb in, which she did happily. He quickly closed the door behind her before Meryl could follow.

Then he opened the passenger door, gesturing for Meryl to get in. She hesitated, as if she were considering refusing.

"Come on, Meryl, it won't be that bad," Cassie said, gently nudging her friend towards the open door.

Meryl reluctantly climbed into the car. "Are you not coming along?" she asked Cassie, who shook her head.

"You three are almost a family now," Cassie said with a smile. "I wouldn't want to intrude. I'll go with Manson."

Tyrson winked at her as he got into the car and started the engine. As they drove away, Cassie watched them go.

Manson held the door open for Cassie as she climbed into the car, a gentlemanly gesture that she appreciated.

Once she was seated, he closed the door and walked around to the driver's side. "