Chapter 143

"Grandpa!" Lillian and Kevin burst into the video call, their tiny faces peering at the screen. Patrick’s smile warmed instantly. He chatted with them, then Debra, before ending the call. Debra remained upset, so Stacey offered comfort. In the following days, a flurry of young people tried befriending Stacey, even approaching Lillian and Kevin. Debra, already suspicious, ordered the bodyguards and nannies to maintain a tight watch.

A month and a half later, filming wrapped in the ancient town. The crew moved on, two months blurring into a whirlwind of locations and events. Finally, "The Empress" was finished! Charlie flew in for the wrap party. The last day was a joyous feast.

Back at the guesthouse, Charlie dropped a bombshell. Theodore controlled eighty percent of Edwards Group, Gifford was ousted, and Michael expelled from the board.

"What?" Stacey gasped. Debra stared, dumbfounded.

Charlie explained, "Theodore used underage girls. Michael, initially resistant, succumbed to temptation. Theodore used the evidence to blackmail him into relinquishing his shares and resigning."

Stacey and Debra’s faces hardened. They’d recently discussed how Theodore and Michael’s imprisonment would affect Lillian and Kevin.

“Is he insane? Has he considered the children at all?!” Debra seethed, her voice low but laced with fury. “That scoundrel doesn’t deserve to be their father!”

“Let’s go home,” Stacey sighed. “The Edwards Group is beyond our control for now.”

Debra nodded, her heart heavy. They stayed another night, then returned to Hivalis. On the flight, Stacey felt a wave of relief; the filming was over, and her children were growing more adorable each day.

Home brought a mountain of bouquets. Patrick had flowers for Debra, Stacey, Lillian, and Kevin.

"Dad, where's mine?" Charlie demanded, aghast.

Patrick’s reply was icy: "I forgot about you."

Charlie stared, speechless. Patrick, seeing his son’s hurt look, clarified, "You didn't tell me you were coming."

Charlie froze. He hadn't. But, "You've never bought me flowers before!"

Patrick paused. "Fine, I'll get you some."

Debra laughed. Stacey joined in. Charlie grumbled, "It's not fair!"

"All right, stop fussing," Debra chuckled, smoothing the wrinkles from his shirt.

Stacey surveyed the house. "Is Adrian at work?" she asked, thinking of him. It was Tuesday.

Debra nodded. But when evening came, and Adrian was still absent, concern grew.

"Patrick, where's Adrian?" Debra asked.

Patrick, seeming to snap awake, smiled mysteriously. "He's on a date."

"A date?!" Stacey and Debra cried in unison.

Charlie leapt from the couch. "Adrian's dating someone? Since when? How?!"

Debra fixed a sharp gaze on Patrick, suspicion etched on her face. "Patrick, don't joke."

Patrick looked at Debra, then at Stacey and Charlie, and finally at Lillian and Kevin, their wide eyes fixed on him.

He smiled. "He admitted it. But the girl's situation is…special. He asked us not to interfere."

"What's so special?" Debra pressed.

Patrick shrugged. "Let them handle it." Debra smiled, relieved.