After the brief laughter in the room faded, Evelyn gently helped Bruce sit upright against the soft pillows.
"Don't push yourself too much," she said softly.
Bruce nodded, but his mind was still racing.
The room itself reflected the wealth of the Carter family.
It was spacious, with large windows letting sunlight pour inside. Expensive paintings decorated the walls, and elegant wooden furniture gave the room a warm, comfortable feeling.
But what caught Bruce's attention the most wasn't the room.
It was the people inside it.
In his previous life, Aron Turner had dealt with countless powerful figures—politicians, generals, billionaires, and crime lords.
He could easily judge a person's nature with just one glance.
And the Carter family…
They were genuine.
Evelyn adjusted the blanket around Bruce's shoulders.
"You must be hungry," she said.
"Your body needs nutrition to recover."
Bruce hadn't realised it before, but now that she mentioned it, his stomach gave a quiet growl.
Luna instantly burst into laughter.
"Wow, little brother. That was loud."
Bruce looked slightly embarrassed.
Scarlett leaned against the wall with crossed arms.
"Well, he hasn't eaten since yesterday."
Sophia stepped forward.
"I'll go bring the food."
But Evelyn shook her head.
"No, I already prepared it."
Richard raised an eyebrow.
"You cooked?"
Evelyn smiled proudly.
"Of course."
Victoria muttered quietly, "This should be interesting…"
A few minutes later, Evelyn returned carrying a tray.
Steam rose gently from a bowl of warm soup.
Fresh bread sat beside it, along with fruit and vegetables.
The smell filled the room.
Bruce stared at the tray.
For a moment, memories from the orphanage surfaced again.
Cold leftovers.
Stale bread.
Sometimes no food at all.
Many nights, he had slept hungry.
But now…
Someone had personally cooked for him.
Evelyn placed the tray on the bedside table.
"Careful, it's hot."
Bruce picked up the spoon slowly.
His movements were cautious.
The soup was simple.
But the moment it touched his tongue, Bruce froze slightly.
Warm.
Comforting.
It wasn't luxury cuisine like what Aron Turner had eaten in five-star restaurants.
But somehow…
It tasted better.
Evelyn watched him carefully.
"How is it?"
Bruce hesitated for a moment.
Then he nodded.
"…Good."
Evelyn's face lit up with happiness.
"I'm glad."
Luna leaned closer and whispered dramatically.
"Mother trained for three days to make that soup."
Evelyn's face instantly turned red.
"Luna!"
The room filled with light laughter.
Bruce continued eating quietly.
But inside his mind, something strange was happening.
For thirty-six years, Aron Turner had lived alone.
He was an orphan.
He had built everything himself.
Power.
Wealth.
Influence.
But he had never experienced something like this.
A family eating together.
Casual conversation.
Warm smiles.
Bruce slowly lowered the spoon.
Warmth spread through his chest.
Strange.
Very strange.
Scarlett suddenly spoke.
"By the way, Dad."
Richard looked at her.
"Yes?"
"The orphanage director called earlier."
The atmosphere in the room immediately shifted.
Bruce's eyes narrowed slightly.
Scarlett continued calmly.
"He said the boys who attacked Bruce have been expelled."
Luna snorted.
"Expelled? That's generous."
Isabella leaned against the window.
"They should be grateful that was the only punishment."
Bruce remained silent.
But Aron Turner's mind immediately began analysing the situation.
The Carter family had influence.
Massive influence.
If they wanted, those bullies could have disappeared completely.
Yet they only chose to remove them from the orphanage.
Interesting.
Richard spoke calmly.
"The goal was to stop the abuse, not ruin their lives."
Victoria nodded slightly.
"That's fair."
Bruce glanced at his new father.
In the underworld, mercy was considered weakness.
But in this world…
Perhaps things were different.
Evelyn gently wiped the corner of Bruce's mouth with a napkin.
"Don't worry about those boys anymore," she said softly.
"No one will hurt you again."
Bruce looked at her.
For a brief moment, the ruthless mind of Aron Turner felt something unfamiliar.
Comfort.
He slowly nodded.
"I know."
Luna suddenly leaned forward again.
"So, little brother…"
Bruce looked at her.
"What?"
She grinned mischievously.
"When you fainted earlier, you said something weird."
Bruce blinked.
"What did I say?"
Luna pointed at him dramatically.
"You said you'd become strong enough to protect all of us."
The room went quiet again.
Scarlett smirked slightly.
"Still planning that?"
Bruce looked at each of them calmly.
"Yes."
Victoria crossed her arms.
"And how exactly will you do that?"
Bruce glanced down at his crippled leg.
Then he looked back up.
"I'll find a way."
Luna laughed again.
"You can barely walk."
Sophia gently nudged Luna.
"Don't tease him."
Bruce didn't react.
Inside his mind, he could still feel the presence of the mysterious space.
The glowing river.
The endless resources.
The castle.
The farmland.
And the weapons.
If he could unlock its secrets…
Even this crippled body could become powerful.
Very powerful.
Bruce quietly finished the last spoonful of soup.
Then he placed the bowl down.
Evelyn immediately leant forward.
"Do you want more?"
Bruce shook his head.
"I'm full."
She smiled warmly.
"Good."
Richard checked his watch.
"Well, Bruce needs rest."
He turned toward the sisters.
"Give him some space."
The sisters slowly began leaving the room.
But before exiting, Victoria paused near the door.
She looked back at Bruce.
For a brief moment, her sharp eyes studied him carefully.
Then she spoke.
"Recover quickly."
Bruce nodded.
"I will."
After everyone left, the room finally became quiet.
Sunlight filtered through the window.
Bruce leaned back against the pillows.
His eyes slowly closed.
Inside his mind, the mysterious space system appeared again.
The glowing river flowed peacefully.
The farmland stretched endlessly.
The castle stood silent and ancient.
Bruce focused his thoughts.
Then something incredible happened.
His consciousness slowly entered the space.
Bruce's eyes opened in shock.
"So it's not just storage…"
He had actually entered the world inside his mind.
The magical river shimmered softly nearby.
Bruce could feel the powerful energy flowing through the air.
His heart began beating faster.
If the water truly had healing properties…
Then maybe…
Just maybe…
This crippled leg could be healed.
Bruce took a step forward.
A new journey had begun.