As the day drew to a close, Micah found himself staring at another text message from E, a message brimming with concern and warmth. E was nothing if not persistent. For the past two years, she had been a constant presence in Micah''s life, sending him daily text messages, wishing him good morning and good night, her gentle care never wavering. In the past, Micah would dismiss these messages, but today was different. With Sadie''s return and Noah''s words echoing in his mind, Micah felt a need to rify things with E. So, he replied to her message.


    Micah: [Let''s have dinner together tomorrow.]


    E: [Okay, see you tomorrow night!]


    E replied almost instantly, showing how surprised and excited she was on the other end of the line.


    With that, Micah set his phone aside, closed his eyes, and surrendered to sleep. As he drifted off, Sadie''s figure danced at the edges of his consciousness, ready to popte his dreams once more...


    Morning found Micah breaking his fast with the children, preparing them for another day at school. For two years, he had made it a point to apany them, regardless of how demanding his schedule became. Those forty minutes on the road were the most precious parent-child time of the day.


    However, today, Mr. Clemens Senior offered to take on the task.


    He smiled and lovingly said, "Kids, would you like Great-Grandpa to take you to school today?"


    Micah looked at the children, seeking their opinions.


    "Yay, Great-Grandpa is taking us to school!" Mia pped her hands and cheered happily.


    "Sure, Great-Grandpa, you haven''t been to our new school yet, so let''s go today," Nathan said, also excited.


    Noah, however, responded indifferently, "Whatever."


    "Shall we let Great-Grandpa take you then?" Micah looked at Noah.


    Noah nodded without even lifting his eyshes.


    "Take care," Micah instructed Mr. Clemens Senior. "Don''t get too tired. After dropping off the kids,e back and rest."


    "I understand." Mr. Clemens Senior, despite not being in the best spirits due tock of sleep, felt happy at the thought of being able to take the children to school.


    "I''ll go ahead." Micah hugged the three children and hurriedly left.


    "Kids, have you finished eating?" Mr. Clemens Senior greeted me with a smile.


    "Yes!" The children started packing their bags and pushed Mr. Clemens Senior''s wheelchair toward the door.


    "I just remembered that I have an international economics ss today so that I won''t be going to school. You all can go."


    Noah finished his meal and elegantly wiped his mouth with a napkin.


    "Mr. Noah..." Ss wanted to advise Noah otherwise, but he was interrupted by Mr. Clemens Senior''s gentle words.


    "All right, then you behave at home." Mr. Clemens Senior replied.


    "Okay." Noah nodded, not even ncing at Mr. Clemens Senior, and went straight upstairs. He instructed his caregiver, "Inform the teacher toe early."


    "All right, Mr. Noah!"


    Mr. Clemens Senior watched Noah''s retreating figure, feeling somewhat dejected. He knew that Noah was intentionally keeping his distance, which saddened him. However, he also understood that some things took time... "Noah, isn''t your ss in the afternoon?"


    Nathan looked at Noah''s back, his handsome face filled with confusion.


    "Never mind him. Noah has already self-studied the elementary school curriculum." Mia furrowed her little brow and urged, "Hurry, we''re going to bete!" "Oh!" Nathan replied.


    As the luxurious Rolls-Royce glided out of the driveway, it came face to face with an identical vehicle at the intersection halfway up the mountain. The drivers and their front-seat bodyguards in both cars exchanged instinctive nces. The Clemens family was filled with confusion, while the upants of the other vehicle exuded an air of cold pride.


    Ss found himself wondering if there were new upants in the vi to the north of the mountain. The Clemens family''s vi, nestled on the mountainside, was one of two in the Hillside Vi area- the other, situated to the north, had long been unupied. The sudden appearance of an identical extended Rolls-Royce at the midpoint intersection was a surprise.


    As he watched the car depart towards the north, Ss'' suspicion was confirmed-there were indeed new residents in the vi up north!