Realizing that she hadn't spent much time with Mason over the past few years, Nyla decided to take two weeks off to be with him.After arranging her leave, she returned to the hospital room, where Pauline quickly stood up. "Ms. Kinsey, Buddy said he wanted some soup. There's no time to cook it now, so I'll grab some from the eateries by the hospital. Do you want anything?""I'll have the same as Buddy. Have you eaten yet?" Nyla asked."I already ate. I'll go get breakfast now," Pauline replied.Nyla sat down next to Mason and felt his forehead. His fever had gone down, and she finally felt a sense of relief. "Buddy, is there anything you want to do or anywhere you'd like to go? Mommy has the next two weeks free, so I can spend time with you."Mason's eyes lit up for a moment but quickly dimmed as he lowered his head. "Mommy, you don't have to take time off just for me. I..."Nyla gently held his small hand, her voice soft. "Buddy, Mommy works hard so that I can spend time with yo
Luca caught a glimpse of Mason's profile and felt a strange sense of familiarity. He couldn't quite place where he had seen it before. Before he could look closer, Nyla had already put the mask on Mason.Standing up, Nyla faced Damon, trying to appear calm. "Mr. Sumner, Mr. Fleming, what a coincidence."Damon nodded. "The company has an amusement park project, so we're here to do some research."As he spoke, his eyes drifted to Mason, whom Nyla was holding by the hand.Mason looked up at him, and for a brief moment, their eyes met.Damon felt an odd, indescribable sensation. He usually didn't care for children, finding them a hassle, but there was something about Mason that stirred none of his usual annoyance."This child…" he began to say.Nyla instinctively pulled Mason behind her but quickly realized how overprotective she was being. She forced a smile to maintain her composure. "He's my son. He's a bit shy... Well, since you're here on business, I won't hold you up. Goodbye.
That was the first time Mason had seen his mother angry. Although the kids and their parents had apologized afterward, the incident had left a shadow in his heart. He wished he had a father—someone who could handle these situations instead of leaving it all to Nyla.Oliver had always been kind to him, and Mason thought he wouldn't mind if Oliver became his father. But deep down, what he truly wanted was his real father.Seeing that stern-faced man at the amusement park today, Mason had felt a strange connection.He thought they looked alike.When Nyla had suddenly made him put on a mask, he had noticed the emotion in her eyes—it had reminded him of the guilty look the kids in kindergarten had after doing something wrong.That's when Mason began to wonder whether he might actually be that stern man's son.Nyla turned around, her expression tense. "Buddy... why would you ask that? I told you before, your dad went somewhere far away...""Then why were you so scared when you saw tha
Spencer: [Ms. Kinsey, Luca just told me you have a child.]Nyla stared blankly at the message for several minutes before finally replying.Nyla: [Location.]After ensuring Mason was asleep around 9:00 p.m., Nyla asked Pauline to stay with him before getting dressed to go out."Ms. Kinsey, where are you going so late?" Pauline asked."I have some things to handle at the lab. I'll try to be back before midnight," Nyla replied.Pauline nodded. "Okay, just be careful."…By the time Nyla arrived at the agreed-upon location with Spencer, it was close to 10:00 p.m.Entering the restaurant, she spotted Spencer waving at her. Her expression hardened as she walked over to sit across from him."Mr. Hogg, I'm here. You can tell me what you want now," she said directly.Spencer was taken aback by the Nyla before him—so different from five years ago.While her features hadn't changed much, she now radiated confidence and composure. Dressed in a luxury tailored suit and silk blouse, she
After saying that, Nyla stood up and left.Once her figure disappeared from view, Spencer dialed a number. "Find out which kindergarten Nyla's son attends and get a photo for me."Although Nyla insisted that the child had nothing to do with Damon, Spencer felt he needed to verify it himself for peace of mind. If the child truly wasn't related to Damon, he wouldn't bother her again.After leaving the restaurant, Nyla calmed down and immediately called Oliver."Oliver, I need a favor," she said.…For the next several days, Nyla focused on spending time with Mason and didn't concern herself with anything else.On the last day of her break, while practicing writing with Mason, she received a call from Edgar asking her to attend a dinner the following night.Nyla frowned. "Professor, you promised me before that you wouldn't schedule dinner events for me. I've made it clear I just want to focus on my research."Sensing her cold tone, Edgar quickly reassured, "Nyla, this dinner is w
"So I should give up my career just to avoid an ugly situation because you don't want me near Damon?" Nyla smiled, but her eyes were icy. "Ms. Hulle, don't you think your ego is a bit inflated?"Erin's expression darkened. "I didn't expect you to become so sharp-tongued after five years. But have you considered that your sharp tongue might hurt those around you?"A hint of sarcasm flashed in Nyla's eyes. "Ms. Hulle, has your romantic life made you foolish? This is Capitarnia, not Saintornia. Our lab has numerous research achievements, and any one of them would attract countless investors. Do you really think the Hulles can control everything in this country?"Nyla was baffled by Erin's audacity to claim she could easily bring down their lab. Had she even researched who was backing them?"Hah! What good is talking big? I'm giving you one last chance. If you don't leave voluntarily, whatever happens next won't be something I can control!" Erin warned."Idiot!" Nyla muttered.She di
Erin forced a smile. "I'm glad you understand, Ms. Kinsey."Nyla nodded. "I do understand, but I hope you'll think things through in the future and avoid doing something so pointless.""Of course, I'll keep that in mind!" Erin gritted her teeth in frustration, her gaze sharp and icy as she glared at Nyla.Nyla smiled and turned to Damon. "Thank you for today, Mr. Sumner. I assume you and Ms. Hulle have more to discuss, so I'll take my leave.""Let's have dinner another day as an apology," Damon replied."No need for that. I wouldn't want to be labeled as someone who disrupts other people's relationships," she said, stepping past Damon and leaving.Soon, only Erin and Damon remained in the private room.It was the best and most secluded room in the restaurant, isolated from others, allowing them to hear only faint conversations from nearby tables.Damon looked at Erin calmly, showing no signs of anger, but she couldn't even meet his gaze. She knew he was upset.After a long sil
Damon looked at Erin with a straight face, his eyes narrowing slightly as he assessed the credibility of her words.Erin felt her heart racing, forcing herself to maintain eye contact. Just as she thought she couldn't bear the pressure any longer, she heard Damon's cold voice say, "This is your last warning."It wasn't until his figure disappeared through the doorway that she sank back into her chair, cold sweat trickling down her back.…Damon headed straight to the branch office after leaving the restaurant.Spencer was already waiting for him at the office door. "Mr. Sumner, here are the documents that need your signature."Damon walked into the office, signed the documents, and then looked up at Spencer. "Have Luca take these back. You'll stay here in his place. Things in Capitarnia are different from Saintornia. Some matters are beyond his capabilities."Spencer lowered his gaze, hiding the complexity that flickered in his eyes. "Understood, Mr. Sumner."Once outside the o