เข้าสู่ระบบMiranda glanced at the time on her watch, then said to Felix on the couch, “You should go home and get some rest.”Felix rose to his feet and asked, “Can I take Gigi downstairs with me?”Before Miranda could answer, Mia chimed in, “Daddy, take good care of Gigi, okay?”Felix let out a low laugh. “I will.”He glanced at Gigi, and somehow the dog seemed to understand immediately. Gigi got up and trotted out with him.After Miranda got Mia to sleep, she went back to the study and organized the day’s notes. Her thoughts kept drifting back to Lena. The image of her lifting her face toward the birds in the sky lingered in Miranda’s mind. She must want more than anything to fly again, to return to the career she loved.The thought weighed heavily on Miranda. It made the responsibility on her shoulders feel even greater.The next morning, Felix took Mia to school, and Miranda headed to the lab a little later. It was late spring now, so she left dressed lightly. On the way there, she not
Miranda’s steps slowed slightly.She recognized the young woman. They had only met once, but the impression she had left was unforgettable. It was Lena Scott, the pilot. The last time Miranda had seen her, she had been in the hospital, striking and full of life, with an almost radiant confidence about her.How had she ended up in a wheelchair?Dr. Zeller finished his call and came back. When he noticed where Miranda was looking, he let out a quiet sigh.“She’s the granddaughter of an old friend of mine. She was a pilot with a very bright future ahead of her.” He shook his head. “A real shame.”Miranda couldn’t help asking, “Dr. Zeller, was it a flying accident?”Dr. Zeller’s gaze remained on Lena. His voice turned heavy. “Yes. The accident left her legs permanently disabled.” Then he looked at Miranda with quiet hope. “But if your brain-computer project succeeds, there’s a real chance it could eventually restore full function to her legs.”Miranda’s breath caught. She looked aga
Miranda had just gotten off the plane when her phone buzzed with a new message. She stopped walking and pulled it out. The moment she saw the photo of Gigi, she let out a long breath of relief.In the picture, Gigi was filthy, her head tucked against Felix’s waist, her eyes damp and still full of fear.The image made Miranda freeze for a few seconds.In her memory, Felix had always been a bit of a clean freak. Even back when she had brought Gigi home on impulse, and he had accepted it on the surface, Miranda knew he had never really been comfortable with having a pet in the house.She quickly replied, “Thank you. I know this took a lot.” Then she walked with Raymond toward the car waiting to pick them up.Felix looked at the message on his screen. It was only a few short words, but somehow it felt almost like praise.He lowered his eyes to Gigi, who was finally calming down in his arms.The effort had been worth it.When they got to the animal hospital, Gigi started trembling
The car sped off. On the way, Felix made several calls, reaching directly into city government and demanding that any processing of the dogs taken in the night before be put on hold.Who would have thought that the richest man in Atlantis City would use every bit of his power and influence for the sake of one dog?Zac slammed on the brakes, and the SUV came to a stop outside a run-down yard on the edge of town. This was the temporary holding facility. Before Zac could even get out to open the door for him, Felix had already shoved the door open himself and strode inside.A few workers inside had been sitting around drinking and chatting. The moment they saw him, they all froze.Faced with a man in an expensive suit and a face carved from ice, they had no idea what to make of him.The manager immediately thought of the call he had received twenty minutes earlier. He had been told that some rich man’s dog had gone missing and might be in his facility.He just hadn’t expected the ma
Mia stood there with her backpack on, her big eyes blinking as she looked from Felix to Miranda. She might have been small, but she was already learning how to read a room.“Mommy, what were you about to say to Daddy?” she asked, looking up.Miranda rubbed her head gently. “Mommy has to go to Hamilton for a meeting. Will you stay with Daddy for now?”“Okay. Then will you bring me back a present from Hamilton?” Mia asked, her face full of hope.“I will,” Miranda promised.Ever since Mia was old enough to recognize people, she had been especially attached to her parents and wary of everyone else. They had originally hired three nannies, but Miranda had eventually let them all go.When Mia was in one of her moods, not even Mrs. Young could pick her up. That was why Miranda and Felix had always handled most things involving Mia themselves. Over time, Miranda had also developed a habit of her own. Other than Felix, she still couldn’t bring herself to leave Mia fully in anyone else’s c
Miranda’s hope collapsed again, and disappointment washed over her. Behind her, Felix said gently, “Let’s keep going. We’ll check farther ahead.”They searched another stretch, then circled back to where they had started, but there was still no sign of Gigi. By then, it was already ten-thirty. Felix checked his watch and said to Miranda, “Go back and get Mia settled for bed. I’ll keep looking.”At that hour, Mia should already have been getting ready for sleep. And it was only Tuesday. She still had school the next day.“Okay.” Miranda nodded, then walked back to her car and drove into the garage.When she got home, Mia was still waiting for her on the couch. She looked up curiously and asked, “Mommy, didn’t Daddy come back with you?”Mrs. Young looked over at Miranda from the side. Miranda gave the slightest shake of her head, then said to Mia, “Come upstairs with Mommy. I’m going to take a shower, and then I’ll read you a story.”Mia blinked, then suddenly seemed to realize
“Wait.” Felix stood up abruptly, calling out to her before she reached the door.Miranda turned, waiting for him to continue.He regained his composure. “I’ll consider what you said.” Then he continued, steady but firm. “I’ll handle Xena. But understand this. If it means saving my family and prote
Sienna got up and headed toward the kitchen again. Miranda seized the moment and turned to Mrs. Gibson Sr. casually.“Grandma, do you know much about Mrs. Gibson’s side of the family? How were her parents’ health?”It was a personal question, but Mrs. Gibson Sr. didn’t hesitate. After thinking for
Sienna understood now.Everything she was doing was about her own and Susan’s survival. She had no choice but to cooperate with Felix.It felt as if, in the span of just two hours, the once-spoiled heiress had grown up overnight. Before coming here, she had still been living in a kind of fairy tal
Hayden called out sharply, “Get up here!”The housekeeper hurried upstairs. “Yes, sir.”“Tell me the truth. Who else came here last night?” Hayden demanded, his face darkening.The housekeeper had no choice but to answer honestly. “Ms. Yates came by. She stayed in your room for about two hours be







