"Alex, report what you know about the situation," Charles Yin said to Alex.
"Right now, this organization has swept across all of Europe and Asia. The Americas are safe for now. According to incomplete statistics, nearly a thousand families have been caught up in it. The ones destroyed are always the most promising children in those families. It's like pulling out the roots—completely crippling these families," Alex reported immediately. "The country that's suffered the most is still ours, because we have the largest number of old, well-established families. Even many reclusive clans have been dragged in. Fortunately, Ethan Yin was proactive and got several children to Sunset Manor ahead of time, which prevented a total wipeout. Ethan also warned some close family friends, so their heirs avoided harm too."
"But Ethan Yin is only one person, and some people just didn't believe him. So, overall, the effect was limited. We don't have stats yet for Europe," Alex continued. "But according to Earl Field, things over there might be even worse—just not counted yet. The heirs themselves are well protected, though, so there are very few casualties among them. Most of the ones harmed aren't first in line for inheritance. So, all things considered, Europe is slightly better off."
Earl Field nodded. "That's very likely."
After all, only China has the one-child policy, so every child is treated like a treasure.
But over there, families have lots of kids—second, third, fourth in line for inheritance are everywhere.
So, all things considered, China has suffered more—and it's always the first-in-line heirs who get hurt.
"It's just infuriating," Cecilia Grant said angrily. "Is this person anti-wealth or anti-power? But if he knows the aristocratic circle so well, he must be one of them. If he's a noble himself, why hurt others like this?"
"You can never figure out a lunatic," Alex said. "Who in their right mind would want to awaken their Second Persona for fun?"
Charles Yin was clearly amused.
It's always handy having a special assistant who helps diss your old rivals without even trying.
Earl Field pretended not to notice and continued, "I'm here to give Miles Gu an explanation. As his father, it's my duty to handle his marriage in person. But I can't drag this out too long—we have to solve his problem before he does anything more extreme."
"But how do we solve it? We can't find anyone from that organization, can't find the hypnotist—how do we wake up Miles Gu's Primary Persona?" Cecilia Grant looked worried, her voice tinged with sadness. "The other day, Miles and Yina had a complete falling out. Even if Miles gets his Primary Persona back, will it affect their relationship?"
No one could answer that question. The room fell silent.
At that moment, there was a knock at the door.
It was Cherry Miller, coming to report: "Chairman, Madam, the young master is outside and wishes to see Earl Field."
"Let him in," Charles Yin nodded.
Soon, Ethan Yin walked in briskly. "Earl Field, it's been a while."
"It really has been a while, Ethan. Seeing how mature and steady you've become is truly gratifying." Earl Field gave Charles Yin a meaningful look.
Heh, you're not the only one who can be subtle—I can too!
Look at Ethan Yin—he's just like Cecilia Grant: mature and steady. Nothing like his dad, who's still childish even at his age, always jealous for no reason.
Ethan glanced at his dad but pretended not to hear, then said, "You're too kind, Earl. I heard you say Miles Gu might still be safely brought back to his Primary Persona?"
"Yes, it's possible, but not a hundred percent guaranteed," Earl Field replied. He didn't treat Ethan as a child—anyone who could inherit the Yin Family couldn't be a kid.
"So how should we cooperate?" Ethan asked.
"I haven't figured that out yet," Earl Field admitted, a bit embarrassed.
"I have an idea," Ethan said. "Would you like to hear it?"
"Go ahead," Earl Field was interested and wanted to hear the young man's thoughts.
"When Miles was adopted by Mom, he was very young, so I've been with him since birth. Nobody knows Miles better than I do. The personality he's showing now—I think he's doing it on purpose. Someone's been brainwashing him, telling him this is who he really is. That's why he's acting so confused. I bet he's even starting to doubt whether he really is this person."
"Even if the Field Family's bloodline causes a Second Persona, I don't think the Primary and Second Personas have to be opposites. Earl, has there ever been a case where the Primary and Second Personas were similar or alike?" Ethan asked.
Earl Field looked at Ethan with admiration. "You're clever, Ethan—you've hit the key point. Yes, in Field Family history, not all Second Personas are the opposite of the Primary. Some are actually quite similar, just more outstanding and calm. It's like the Primary Persona stripped of emotion—more stable, more mature, because judgment isn't clouded by feelings."
"And I've also heard that when the Second Persona is awakened, you don't lose the memories of the Primary Persona. But that's not true for Miles Gu," Ethan continued. "He seems to have forgotten a lot, and his memories are all mixed up—there are major discrepancies. So I think hypnosis played a bigger role in his case. Earl, for Miles, which is easier to reverse: hypnosis or persona awakening?"
"Hypnosis," Earl Field replied. "Hypnosis can be undone. Awakening is much harder to reverse."
"So there's still a good chance Miles can recover, right?" Ethan's eyes lit up.
"Yes," Earl Field smiled at Ethan. "You're very smart."
Ethan breathed a sigh of relief. "If these prerequisites work, then my suggestion is: let Miles and Yina live together for a while. If Miles's Primary Persona is so strong that they needed hypnosis to suppress it, then maybe his feelings for Yina and for us as family can help bring it back. Miles's Primary Persona truly loves us. With that love, I believe he can turn things around! And even if his Primary Persona can't wake up, I'm sure his Second Persona will eventually fall for Yina too. That's a feeling rooted in the soul, not something bloodline inheritance can erase. That Elisa can't compare to Yina at all. Even if Miles's Primary Persona doesn't return, his Second Persona will love Yina someday."
Charles Yin and Cecilia Grant both nodded. "Well said."
"How do you plan for them to live together?" Earl Field asked.
"Just have Miles move into Sunset Manor," Ethan said. "We're all here. We'll use gentle, everyday moments to wake him up."
"I think it's worth a try," Cecilia Grant said. "Maybe some familiar little thing will really wake up his Primary Persona."
"I agree," Charles Yin said. "We can use the excuse of the broken engagement to have him move in. When we got engaged, there was a long preparation period. Breaking it off should take a while too—invite all the important guests, then announce it. He won't suspect a thing."
"Alright, it's settled then," Earl Field agreed, thinking it was a good plan.
Cecilia Grant said to Earl Field, "Then we'll trouble you to stay with us a little longer."
"What trouble? It's my honor to rest a few days at your manor," Earl Field replied gently.
Charles Yin stood up at once. "Cherry, take Earl Field to his room to rest."
Cherry Miller held back a laugh and replied, "Yes, Chairman."
Cherry turned to Earl Field and said, "Please follow me. I've prepared a private room for you. The young folks here can be noisy, so your room is in a quiet area close to the Chairman and Madam. Also, I've arranged an English-style meal—let me know if you need anything changed. I'll do my best to meet your needs..."
"Thank you, young lady," Earl Field said, clearly fond of Cherry Miller.
Such a young and hardworking girl—she really reminds him of Cecilia Grant back in the day.
"It's my job," Cherry said as she escorted Earl Field to his room. "I've arranged places for your attendants too, not far from here. If you need more people, just let me know anytime."
"Alright," Earl Field nodded. "Thank you for your hard work."
"Please rest for now. Someone will bring you a special Yun Family herbal sachet for a medicinal bath to help you relax soon," Cherry said, stepping back. "I'll take my leave now."
After leaving, Cherry went to find Yina Yin and told her about Ethan's idea.
Yina's face was expressionless as she said, "You don't need to push me and him together. Cherry, I don't want to get hurt again. Once is enough for a Yin heiress to lose face—there's no need to be humiliated over and over."
"What are you talking about? That's not humiliation," Cherry said, sitting across from Yina. "We're just letting you two spend time together, not asking you to fawn over him. There's plenty of room for how you interact. Living in the same villa is spending time together! Our company shares a building with others, that's 'spending time together' too."