Extremists infiltrated the Imperial City, causing a devastating attack, and the most affected was the illustrious Shaw Family.

The elderly madam of the Shaw Family gained a precious great-grandson in her twilight years but lost her most beloved granddaughter-in-law. The heir of the Shaw Family was hit by four bullets and fell into a coma. The elderly madam was deeply grieved, and she personally went to see Richard Shaw’s superior the next day.

Subsequently, various departments in the Imperial City underwent internal rectification, swiftly uncovering a hidden line that had been dormant for over a decade, and began internal cleansing operations.

This purification campaign lasted three whole months, with dozens arrested, over ten people dismissed, and several sentenced. Apart from those who escaped, it was considered a thorough sweep.

For a time, everyone was on edge.

After escaping danger, Richard Shaw, due to the severity of his injuries, especially the nerves in his calf pierced by bullets, was left paralyzed and unable to walk. Further treatment was needed for any hope of recovery.

However, the Major General refused to accept treatment.

During this period, the elderly madam stayed with Casimir Shaw, only three months old, almost residing at the hospital. Finally seeing her grandson out of danger but refusing treatment, losing all will to live, she thought of her son and daughter-in-law, and tears flowed.

She had previously only worried her grandson didn’t like Crystal Landon, but now she hoped he liked her less, or how could he walk the long road of life?

Madam Shaw was harsh on herself and others, but looking at her emaciated and sallow grandson on the hospital bed, seeing him covered in scars made her unable to harden her heart. She simply took the three-month-old Casimir Shaw to his bed and forced a smile: "Casimir hasn’t cried all day today, soon he’ll be calling you Dad."

She placed the soft little bundle beside Richard’s pillow.

The three-month-old, unable even to sit steadily, could only lie by the pillow.

Casimir Shaw, with big, dark eyes, looked at the gaunt man in front, extended his fair little hand curiously, slapped the man’s face, enjoyed playing, and after several seconds, finally felt pain in his hand and cried out.

The man’s gaze, cold for many days, finally showed a hint of fluctuation, looking at the small bundle, too young to see who he resembled.

Since escaping danger, Richard Shaw hadn’t spoken. During his coma, his consciousness was clear; he just didn’t want to wake up,

Since his parents died when he was eight, he was forced to grow up overnight, bearing the burden of the Shaw family’s prestige. For over a decade, he devoted everything to the country and the Shaw Family, advancing step by step. But even becoming the youngest accomplished Army Major General, even if the Shaw Family became the top noble family in the Imperial City, what does it matter? It can’t bring Crystal Landon back.

What use is fame, the Shaw family’s century-long glory to him?

The things once more important than life now inexplicably nauseate him; he and the entire Shaw Family caused Crystal’s death, he wants to repay with his life.

The elderly madam saw Casimir crying sorrowfully, with no reaction from her grandson. She immediately picked up the unfortunate child, comforted him, and said: "Good child, you have no mother, and your father doesn’t love you, but never mind, you have great grandma, who will raise you until you’re grown, just like your grandfather and father."

The man’s fingers tightly clenched, looking at the tiny bundle, eventually turned his gaze away indifferently.

Hawk Howard came by in the evening; the handsome and cold man, looking somewhat thin, wore a dark blue overcoat due to the winter climate. He entered the ward, seeing months absent, the formerly handsome and austere Major General looking like a dying old man, walked over, took off his coat and gloves, and coldly said: "Today I came to seek your consent. After your death and after the Shaw Family matriarch’s time passes, I want to adopt Casimir Shaw and raise him."

The man showed no expression, no reaction. Hawk Howard squinted slightly and continued: "I know Crystal Landon is dead; you feel guilty to her and seek death, treating yourself passively, lying like a cripple for three months. Do you think you can repay your debts by dying?"

"She was only twenty, Richard Shaw; even if you died a hundred times, you couldn’t repay the guilt you owe." Hawk Howard sneered, "You are the most cowardly man I’ve ever seen. You didn’t treat her well when she was alive, and after her death, you don’t even glance at her child. Maybe others see you as a hero, a Major General, the outstanding Shaw Family descendant, but to me, you are an ungrateful coward."

"You should live long, every moment in remorse and pain, to repay your sins; otherwise, you won’t even be eligible to see her after death."

Richard’s tea-colored eyes flickered momentarily, torn by pain like a tidal wave sweeping his insides. He won’t be eligible to see her after death; dying a hundred times, he cannot repay such guilt. He is a coward; indeed, he should live in torment and remorse forever.

Struggling to sit up, the man faced the handsome and cold Hawk Howard, not having spoken for months, his voice hoarse and broken: "You’re right."

Seeing his anguish, devoid of suicidal resolve, Hawk Howard nodded, saying coldly: "For the past two years, I’ve been waiting for her to divorce you, but ultimately never waited for it. If you ever can’t bear such profound sin and pain, cowardly evade by dying, don’t worry about future affairs. I’ll raise her child as my own, let him call me Dad, just as though I and Crystal finally came together."

Having said this, Hawk Howard took his coat and gloves and walked out, his back straight and rigid.

After her death, he indulged in drunken decay for a month, eventually recalling everything she did for the Shaw Family, even sacrificing her life, finally, he made this trip. The child cannot be without a father; the Shaw Family matriarch cannot bear another heartbreaking farewell, she loved this man for years; if Crystal were here, she wouldn’t wish for Richard Shaw’s death.

Hawk Howard left the ward, gazing into the dark night outside; the handsome face revealed a trace of pain. He had decided to return, never to set foot on this land again.

The past three beautiful years, her appearance and laughter, will remain forever in memory. May she be well in paradise.

After Hawk Howard left, Richard Shaw sat dazed in the ward all night. The next morning, he called the doctor, requested a wheelchair; his legs were crippled, he planned no treatment, to slowly repay his sins for the rest of his life.