“What else would it be? You stayed up waiting—wasn’t it for this?”Mason Morgan said with a teasing grin.“Oh, stop it. Can you be a little gentler? What if you wake the child?”Molly struggled lightly, but after a couple of half-hearted attempts, she let him carry her into the bedroom.Before long, peculiar sounds filled the room, rising and falling in an unbroken rhythm.Fortunately, the house was well soundproofed—otherwise, it might have carried beyond the door.The sounds lingered for quite some time before finally fading, and those who made them drifted into sleep along with the night.Over the next several days, Joseph found himself unusually free. After such a long stretch of busyness, he finally had a rare chance to rest.Taking advantage of the lull, Joseph spent a couple of days out with Alice and Mason Alvarez. They didn’t venture far, staying within Nova City.After all, though the city had grown more stable, it was by no means entirely safe.During those days, Heidi occa

“Whether as an educator or in any other capacity, all my work is tied to medicine and scientific research.”“I believe these roles you’ve mentioned won’t interfere with my primary duties—if anything, they will reinforce one another.”“Moreover, my focus will always remain on teaching. As the head of Dragon Soaring Group, unless under exceptional circumstances, I won’t be directly involved in the company’s day-to-day management.”Joseph responded with calm composure.What followed was a barrage of questions from the press. The conference stretched on for over two hours.At last, it came to an end.Afterward, Joseph, Blake Morgan, Fiona, and the rest toured the new company’s headquarters.By the time all engagements were completed, it was already five in the afternoon. Joseph returned to his car, ready to head home.Just then, Neil Foster called. Joseph answered without hesitation.“Young Master, are you done for the day?”Neil’s voice came through the line.“I was just about to head ho

“Have you been here long?”Joseph walked over, pulled out a chair, and took a seat.“Not at all, cousin-in-law—we just got here and placed our order!”Lillian Morvek replied promptly.“By the way, brother-in-law, you’re trending all over Twitter again today.”After ordering, Heidi had already started scrolling through her phone.“What can I do about that?”Joseph said with a trace of helplessness.“Cousin-in-law, if I get into Nova University next year, I’m definitely applying to your department.”Lillian declared with unwavering determination.“Lillian Morvek, can you stop daydreaming? If you want to enter his program, you’ll be competing against the top students in the entire country. Do you really think you’re on that level?”Heidi deliberately tried to deflate her.“The college entrance exam hasn’t even happened yet—how do you know I don’t have what it takes? What if I outperform myself when it counts?”“Besides, I’ve always been pretty lucky.”Lillian retorted stubbornly.“When a

“Are you out of your mind? What nonsense are you spouting?”Heidi couldn’t help but rap Lillian Morvek twice on the head. She understood perfectly well what the girl was implying, and her cheeks flushed faintly.“How is that nonsense? I’m just giving you two some time and space alone.”Lillian protested, rubbing her head.“Time and space, my foot. I don’t even have time tomorrow—my parents’ trial is scheduled, and my sister and I have to be there early.”Heidi shot her an exasperated look.“Then you should head back early. No matter what, as family, it’s best that you’re present.”Joseph said after hearing Heidi.“Of course we’ll be there.”“But it doesn’t really change anything. My sister told me the lawyer’s preliminary estimate—my dad will get at least three years. As for my mom, it’ll be more severe—no less than ten.”“That’s already with the victim saved. If you hadn’t intervened and ensured the girl wasn’t permanently harmed, my mom might never have seen the outside world again.

The elderly man with the shadowed gaze was Benson Cooper, patriarch of the Cooper family—one of Metropolis City’s three dominant power clans—and a key figure within the Central Council.“For matters that don’t bear the light, it’s better to find somewhere more secluded,” a portly man in his sixties remarked.This was Preston Gutierrez, head of the Gutierrez family, likewise a heavyweight within the Central Council.“This isn’t the place for such discussion. Let’s move to the smaller conference room,” said an upright-looking elder with an air of stern integrity.He was Vincent Murphy, patriarch of the Murphy family, another pillar of power within Metropolis City and the Central Council.After Vincent Murphy spoke, Benson Cooper and Preston Gutierrez fell silent, rising without a word and leaving the main conference hall.Before long, the three arrived at a smaller meeting room. Once inside, Vincent Murphy shut the door carefully, as if wary of any intrusion.“What are your thoughts on