Valarie took a lighthearted approach, saying, "Dad, it's not your fault. Besides, Mr. Sumner is already helping our company. I believe we'll get through this."Brandon handed Jonathan a glass of water and added, "She's right, Mr. Weir. Here, drink some water."It was only then that Jonathan remembered Brandon was in the room. He glanced at Brandon and took the glass with a poker face.After seeing Brandon holding Valarie just moments earlier, he found him less likable now, despite having praised him as a young, promising businessman to Phoebe.Brandon then handed Phoebe a glass of water, which she accepted with a smile. "Thank you, Mr. Brandon.""Please, Mrs. Weir, just call me Brandon," he said.Phoebe, surprised by his casual tone, nodded. "Brandon, you and Valarie…""I'm Valarie's boyfriend now," Brandon replied straightforwardly.Jonathan choked on his water and coughed heavily.Brandon quickly took the glass from him, patting him on the back. "Mr. Weir, are you alright?"
Valarie and Brandon had just started dating. Marriage was a long way off, so Phoebe reminded him, "Let's not get ahead of ourselves."Jonathan nodded. "You're right.""But…" Phoebe hesitated, remembering how Valarie would unconsciously smile whenever she received a text from Brandon during meals. She had a feeling they might actually get married."But what?" Jonathan asked, his heart lurching at the word.Phoebe couldn't help but smile at his worried expression. "Nothing. We're on our floor. Let's go."Who could say what the future held?…Just as Brandon returned to the hospital room, a pillow flew toward him. He caught it easily and looked at Valarie, who was glaring at him from the bed.His gaze softened as he asked, "What's bothering my little princess?"Valarie shot him a pointed look. "Why did you say you were the one to confess first? It was me who asked if you'd like to give things a try. Now my parents might think poorly of you."Brandon walked over and placed the pi
"Alright, thank you for your help," Valarie said."No problem," the officer replied.After the police left, Valarie turned to Brandon. "You should go to work. There's really nothing else I need here—I'll just finish packing and get ready for discharge later.""I'm not busy. I'll help you with the discharge papers," Brandon offered.Just as he finished speaking, his phone began to ring.Valarie gave him a knowing smile and teased, "Is this your version of 'not busy'? Your phone has rung at least a dozen times this morning. Just go. My parents are coming soon, so no need to worry about me.""I'll leave when they get here," he replied, determined to stay.Seeing how insistent he was, Valarie had no choice but to let it go.After waiting another half hour, her parents still hadn't arrived, but Nyla showed up.With someone else there to keep Valarie company, Brandon finally relented. He gathered his files and left for work.After arranging the flowers she had brought, Nyla turned
Nyla was taken aback. She hadn't expected Jane's son to be shunned by his classmates, but she didn't feel the slightest sympathy."Ms. Wilkie, before the facts were even clear, you threatened to call the police. And after discovering that it was your son lying to get mine in trouble, you didn't even make him apologize. I'm not sure where you get the audacity to come and question me now," Nyla retorted."I'm not like you. I don't have that kind of sway over the school's vice principal. As for your son being left out, I don't know how it happened, but kids naturally prefer to play with those who are kind and honest. They don't appreciate a liar. Instead of blaming me, maybe you should reflect on your own parenting," Nyla said.Jane's face contorted in fury as she replied, "Nyla, just because Damon's backing you, don't think you can do whatever you—"Nyla didn't let her finish and hung up, unwilling to waste any more time on someone who wouldn't listen.…Jane was so angry she nearl
Gabriel's voice was quiet, and his expression calm, but Wilhelm couldn't help feeling a bit afraid."I... I didn't forget..." he mumbled, lowering his head to avoid Gabriel's gaze."Since you didn't forget, then tell me—did you apologize to Mason when you got to school today?" Gabriel asked."No..." Wilhelm pressed his lips together, his face puffing with frustration. He had no intention of apologizing—he couldn't stand Mason!"Wil, it's only when you recognize and correct your mistakes, and show the courage to apologize, that other kids will enjoy being around you."Remember, you lied and said Mason pushed you when you actually fell on your own, which made the other kids afraid to play with you," Gabriel explained.Wilhelm's eyes filled with confusion and bewilderment."Is that really why?" he asked.What his father was saying didn't match what his mother had told him. She had said that, since their family donated a lot of money to the school, he could do whatever he wanted wi
"Oh, it's no trouble at all. About Wilhelm, would you mind taking him home for now? I'll speak with the other children about the importance of kindness and discourage them from excluding anyone," Laura said."Alright," Gabriel replied."If that's all, I'll take Mason back to his class," Laura said."Of course. I appreciate you keeping an eye on Wilhelm," Gabriel added."It's what I should do," Laura replied.Gabriel left the office with Wilhelm, and they parted ways with Laura at the stairwell.…During the drive home, Wilhelm sat quietly, gazing down with a gloomy pout.When they finally pulled up to the villa, Wilhelm turned to Gabriel, his eyes red. "Daddy, if I don't apologize, will the other kids really hate me?"At home, Wilhelm was used to bossing around the service staff and throwing tantrums when things didn't go his way. Despite that, he couldn't ignore the sting of being left out by the other kids at school.Gabriel looked at him, noticing the hurt in his son's eye
After chatting a bit more, Jane quickly hung up to get back to work.In the evening,…Shortly after Nyla and Damon returned to the villa, the doorbell rang.Gabriel arrived with a bunch of gifts, bringing Wilhelm along to apologize.Since Nyla was already aware of the situation from the afternoon, she had instructed the maid to let them in.As the maid welcomed them, Nyla was playing with Mason, building blocks scattered around."Ms. Kinsey, Mr. Gabriel and Mr. Wilhelm have arrived," the maid announced.Nyla looked up, instinctively tensing when she made eye contact with Gabriel. His reckless behavior from five years ago was still fresh in her mind. Even after all this time, being near him still sent chills down her spine.She turned to the maid and said, "Call Damon out.""Sure," the maid replied.Gabriel set down the gifts and looked at Nyla with warmth in his eyes. "Nyla, it's been a while. I didn't get a chance to greet you at the party. You're not upset with me, are you?
Before Nyla could respond, Damon interjected coldly, "Mr. Hackett, she probably doesn't have the time."As he spoke, he stepped in front of Nyla, blocking Gabriel's view.Gabriel looked directly at him, unperturbed. "Mr. Sumner, Nyla hasn't answered yet, and you're speaking for her. Isn't that a bit domineering?"The two men held their ground, both roughly the same height, as the atmosphere grew tense between them.Damon exuded an icy aura, as if he could freeze anyone in place.Meanwhile, Gabriel maintained a slight smile, seemingly unaffected by the tension.The living room fell into a heavy silence, each breath audibly punctuating the quiet.Nyla frowned and spoke coolly. "Gabriel, I heard your mother has remarried. We have nothing to do with each other anymore, and I don't want to have dinner with you."Gabriel's smile faltered, a flicker of disappointment appearing in his eyes.He lowered his gaze and said softly, "Nyla, I know you still hold a grudge for what happened be