“Fiona’s already there. Let’s go,” the old man said once Joseph was seated.“I’m ready,” Joseph replied.“Then let’s move,” Old Mr. Cooper told the driver.The chauffeur started the engine, and the car pulled out.Behind them, Alvarez followed with two additional vehicles.Roughly half an hour later, the convoy entered Greenfield Villa. After a few more minutes, they stopped outside a familiar house.Joseph looked out the window at the villa. His eyes narrowed, emotions swirling within him.He had thought he would never return to this place. And yet, here he was again.Joseph and the others parked a short distance from the villa, but none of them got out immediately.The heavy iron gates were tightly shut, secured with oversized padlocks on either side. Outside stood a group of servants from the Cooper estate, gripping wooden batons as they maintained a tense watch.Fiona, who had arrived ahead of the others, stood just outside the gate, attempting to reason with those inside.“Dad, M

After about eight minutes, he finally stopped.“What are you writing?” the locksmith asked, puzzled.“There’s a method in operations research that helps quickly narrow down the most likely solutions,” Joseph explained. “I’ve tested the lock a few times. I now have a rough grasp of its internal structure. Based on that and some quick calculations, I’ve come up with twelve likely combinations.”“Take a look. Can you make sense of it?”He handed the notebook over. The locksmith stared at the strange symbols, his brows knit in confusion.“These squiggly worm-like things... I don’t get them.”“But your diagrams—I can read those. You’re saying the lock’s internal mechanism matches one of these configurations?”“Exactly. Try those twelve methods. One of them should work,” Joseph said confidently.The locksmith looked skeptical. “Kid... this sounds like nonsense. I didn’t study much, so don’t try to pull a fast one on me. You’re saying you figured out the internal design of this lock with jus

“Uncle, Auntie, please don’t worry—I won’t let Fiona and Heidi be without a home.”“As long as you don’t mind, my home is your home. Treat it as your own.”“Once you're in my house, think of it as yours. You’re not outsiders.”Charles Martin spoke with visible emotion.“Good, good! Our Charles really comes through when it counts.”Maria Long clung to his words like a drowning person grabbing at a lifeline.“Then Charles, we’ll stay at your place for the time being. As for food and utilities, we’ll cover our share.”Stephen Cooper spoke with quiet gratitude.“Stephen Cooper, what nonsense are you spouting? Charles is a professor at Nova University now—do you think he cares about a few bills?”“Offering him money—are you trying to insult him?”Maria Long’s smile vanished the moment Stephen Cooper spoke. She glared at him with thinly veiled contempt. As expected, this man was hopeless. What was he thinking? Why pay for something you could have for free? Was he out of his mind?“Uncle Coo

“Grandpa, what are you saying? Just driving them out was already more than merciful.”“My mother nearly cost you your life that day. Even if you'd taken harsher action, I would’ve found it completely justified.”Heidi shook her head, her voice steady.In her mind, her parents had brought it all upon themselves. They were adults—adults who needed to be accountable for their own actions.“I’m glad you see it that way.”“Your mother… she’s too cruel, too greedy, too ruthless.”“I’ve already handed the family affairs over to your sister. Even if there are changes in the future, the next in line would be you.”“So why was she in such a hurry to see me dead?”Old Mr. Cooper’s tone was tinged with anger.If it weren’t for Fiona and Heidi, he might have taken Maria Long’s life himself.“I understand your intentions, Grandpa.”“But I’m really not cut out for family matters. With Sis managing things now, I think it’s working just fine. Let her continue.”Heidi smiled awkwardly.Lately, her gran

“Huh? Really?”Heidi instinctively touched her flushed cheeks, her voice tinged with panic.The moment she recalled her intimate moment with Joseph, she instantly understood what Bianca was referring to.“Of course. Your face is bright red,” Bianca replied with certainty.“Maybe it’s just the heat in the room. I was just helping him turn on the air conditioner.”Heidi’s mind raced, quickly crafting a reasonable excuse.“Ah, I see. It is a hot day after all.”Bianca nodded, momentarily convinced.“Well, you go ahead and deliver the blanket. I’ve got something else to take care of.”Not wanting to linger, Heidi hurriedly excused herself and made a quick escape.If the conversation kept going, Bianca might start to get suspicious.Watching Heidi flee like a guilty kitten, Bianca couldn’t help but find her behavior odd—like someone who had just done something shameful.Still, she didn’t dwell on it. Turning toward Joseph’s room, she knocked politely on the door.“Who is it?” Joseph asked