?Chapter 1034:


    Isaac noticed the change in her expression and gently pulled her into his arms.


    Upstairs, Kristian had barely made it into his room before pulling out his phone. He sent a message to Gerard. “Look into Liam’s social circle—who he’s been hanging around with this past year. Quietly.” Gerard didn’t ask questions; he got to work.


    By midnight, Kristian was still lying in bed, eyes wide open, staring at the ceiling.


    Since regaining his memories, sleep had been a rare thing. Aside from that one night when he drank himself into oblivion, he hadn’t had a proper rest.


    Now, days had passed, and his insomnia was only getting worse.


    Worried his family might notice and start asking questions, he decided to leave home for a while. He moved into his own vi—the one he used to share with Freya.


    That day, Gerard had just finished handing over a stack of documents for review when Kristian stood up to grab a ss of water. But the moment he rose, everything went dark. His vision blurred. His ears rang. And then he copsed.


    Gerard rushed over, panicked. “Mr. Shaw! Can you hear me?” No response.


    Without wasting a second, he called an ambnce.


    By the time Kristian was admitted to the hospital, Lawrence had already gotten the news and rushed over.


    He looked down at the unconscious Kristian lying on the bed. “What happened?” he asked casually, though concern was clearly in his voice. Could it be that Kristian hadn’t fully recovered? But Kristian’s recovery had been under his watch. Physically, Kristian had been fine—so this didn’t make sense.


    “The doctor said it’s exhaustion,” Gerard answered, his tone heavy. “He’s been sleeping too little. It’s catching up to him.”


    Lawrence frowned. “How little are we talking?”


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    “Two hours a night.”


    That number had been verified through surveince footage from his home.


    “Because of work?”


    Gerard shook his head. “No. He hasn’t touchedpany business in weeks.”


    “Insomnia?”


    “Most likely,” Gerard admitted. He wasn’t entirely sure.


    Kristian had spent most of his time at home recently, not dealing withpany matters, so work stress didn’t seem to be the cause. If it wasn’t work, insomnia was the only usible exnation.


    Lawrence sighed and said nothing more. They’d have to wait until Kristian woke up to get real answers.


    When he finally did wake up, Kristian wasn’t in the mood to talk. He finished his IV drip and immediately tried to leave.


    Lawrence blocked the door. “You need a full check-up.”


    “I’m fine,” Kristian said, brushing past him.


    “Kristian.”


    “You want to go back to Alerith, right?” Kristian cut in. “There’s nothing keeping you here. You can leave. I’m fine now.”


    Lawrence didn’t budge. “You’re not fine. And if this keeps up, your mental state will break down sooner orter.”


    Lawrence paused before continuing, “And when that happens, how do you n on protecting Freya? How do you make sure she stays happy?”


    That stopped him in his tracks.


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