2026-06-30 20:04:44
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124The sky gradually turned orange as Kieran and Irene left the small office.The streets were still crowded with vehicles heading home from work. The evening breeze drifted gently through the air, carrying the scent of asphalt that had begun to cool after baking under the sun all day.They walked side by side. There was no conversation. Only the occasional sound of their footsteps echoed along the sidewalk.A few minutes later, Kieran finally spoke."Mom."Irene turned to him."Hm?""Elaine came to see me today."Irene's steps slowed. The calm expression on her face vanished in an instant. Her fingers unconsciously tightened around the strap of her bag."...Elaine?"Her voice was quiet. Not because she didn't recognize the name, but precisely because she knew it all too well. Surprise filled her eyes before gradually giving way to confusion mixed with unease."She... came to your school?"Kieran slowed his pace as well and answered, "Yes.""Did she do anything?" Irene asked quickly.
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The car door closed softly behind Kieran.He did not look back.His steps remained calm as he walked along the sidewalk in front of the school, as though the meeting that had just taken place had not left the slightest trace. The students entering and leaving through the school gate only spared him a brief glance before returning to their own business.Across the street, the car was still parked. Through the window, Elaine continued watching the teenager's back as he walked farther and farther away until he finally disappeared into the crowd.Meanwhile, Kieran continued walking without changing his expression. However, a question slowly surfaced in his mind."System, how much of what Elaine said about my mother is true?"For a few moments, the panel displayed only a single moving line of light. Then the answer appeared without the lengthy analysis it usually gave.[Verification complete.][All of Elaine's statements regarding Irene are false.]Kieran did not stop walking. However, his
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The car door closed softly as Kieran got inside.The cabin was immediately filled with the faint scent of expensive perfume. The black leather interior looked luxurious, yet the air inside felt cold.Elaine was already seated in the back.The ivory-colored dress she wore was perfectly neat without the slightest wrinkle. Both of her hands rested elegantly on her lap, but there was not a trace of warmth in her gaze.She looked at Kieran for a few seconds. No pleasantries, no smile."No need to waste time."Her voice was flat, and her gaze hardened."I came only to remind you one more time. Surrender. Follow the rules we've already given you. Become Franky's scapegoat."Silence filled the car.Then Kieran chuckled softly. His laughter was brief, but it was enough to make Elaine's brows furrow."What's so funny?"Kieran turned to look at her, his gaze as calm as ever."Nothing. I just realized that your style and Richard's are completely different.""...""Richard spends a lot of time twi
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That morning, their small house was once again filled with the aroma of warm soup.Irene stood with her back to the dining area, slowly stirring the soup. Her eyes were still slightly swollen, but her hands moved as calmly as they had on any other day.When she heard footsteps coming from the bedroom, she turned off the stove and carried two bowls to the table."Sit."Kieran pulled out a chair without saying much.Breakfast passed in silence, interrupted only by the occasional clink of a spoon against a bowl.A few minutes later, Kieran set down his spoon."Mom, don't look for another job today. Our debt has been paid off, and life will be much easier from now on."Irene's movement paused for a fraction of a second. Then she scooped another spoonful of soup as though she hadn't heard anything unusual.She gently blew on the spoonful before continuing, "I still have to start looking again. Working through the night last time was quite exhausting."Kieran looked up."You don't have to."
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Kieran's gaze swept briefly across Luke's face. With just a single glance, he had already caught the anxiety Luke was trying to hide."Mom?"That single word was enough to wipe the faint smile off Luke's face. He scratched his temple awkwardly before looking away for a moment."Um... about that..."Kieran looked at him without blinking."What happened?"Luke took a deep breath before finally saying, "Aunt Irene is at Maia's house right now."Kieran's brows lifted slightly."What happened?"Luke immediately explained."After Boss told some people to head to that warehouse, I don't know why, but I still had a bad feeling. So two others and I secretly stayed around your house.""I thought Boss Lee's men might still have some subordinates who hadn't been caught. Turns out it wasn't them. It was strangers."Luke unconsciously clenched his fists. He smiled bitterly."They didn't even bother knocking. They just kicked the door open."Kieran's gaze gradually turned cold, though his expression
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"Did I miss something?"Mr. Rowan walked closer until he stopped beside Kieran. His eyes first swept across the situation inside the room, the thugs who had already been handcuffed, the police officers still busy securing evidence.Kieran shook his head slightly."No. You came at just the right time." He gave a small nod. "Sorry for troubling you."The corner of Rowan's lips lifted slightly as he chuckled softly."So you do know how to be polite after all. From what Marsellus told me, you're usually rather cold toward everyone."Kieran did not deny it."I only behave as necessary.""Hahaha... yes, that certainly sounds like you, kid."Rowan's laughter and relaxed attitude toward Kieran left the police officers even more speechless. The tense atmosphere eased slightly, though an awkwardness still lingered.However, Rowan had not come for casual conversation.The faint smile on his face gradually disappeared as he turned to the police officer who had been standing not far away."Now," h
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