Amelia had sworn she'd never return to Gatham City.
For six years, she had built a life in D Country, staying under the radar while raising her brilliant children. She had zero intention of ever setting foot again in that glittering metropolis where the Gray name could still open doors—or crush lives.
But then the letter came.
Her grandfather's personal secretary had written it with trembling hands. The old patriarch's health was failing. Four hospital stays in just the past month. Doctors baffled.
She owed him everything. When the pregnancy scandal exploded six years ago, he alone had stood by her, arranging her escape to D Country and ensuring she and the triplets never lacked for anything. Now, he needed her, not just as his granddaughter, but as the gifted surgeon she had become.
And so here she was again, watching Gatham City's familiar skyline from her business class window, her reflection faint against the backdrop of stormy clouds. A gentle tug on her sleeve pulled her back to the present.
"Mom?"
Her eldest, by three minutes, was peering up at her with big, curious eyes. His chubby face, framed by brown curls and dimpled cheeks that had charmed every flight attendant onboard, masked the sharp intelligence hiding behind his gaze.
"Are you worried about Great-Grandfather?"
Before she could respond, Adin spoke up from her other side, his little face serious.
"The Gatham City Chronicle says he's been in and out of the hospital four times this month."
"How did you…?" Amelia started, then stopped, shaking her head with a wry smile. Of course. Her middle child's gift for digging up information no longer surprised her.
"We've talked about hacking, kiddo."
"That wasn't hacking," Adin replied innocently, his wide eyes the picture of sincerity.
"It was on their subscriber-only section," he added.
"Which you subscribed to?" Amelia shot back, arching a brow.
A polite throat clear from Ariel, her daughter and the youngest triplet, cut through what would have been a long-winded explanation from Adin.
"Mom, shouldn't we go over what we're going to say to Great-Grandfather? We haven't actually met him in person, y'know."
Amelia's expression softened. "Just remember what we practiced," she said, brushing a hand over Ariel's curls.
"He's a little old-school, but he has a kind heart. Be yourselves, respectful and natural."
"We'll make you proud, Mom," Luther said with a firm nod, squaring his tiny shoulders.
At six, he already carried a sense of responsibility that sometimes broke her heart. All three had grown up too fast, too aware of the world and where they stood in it.
"You already do," she said gently. "Every day. I'm proud of all of you."
She touched each of their faces, marveling, once again, at how all three had inherited her brown hair.
"Mom, are we… are we staying in Gatham City after Great-Grandfather?" Adin asked carefully.
Amelia considered her words. "For now, yes. He needs medical help, and I want to be there for him." As one of the best surgeons in D Country,though few people outside elite circles knew her reputation, she believed she could improve his condition.
Adin exchanged a quick glance with his siblings, a silent conversation passing between them.
"Then maybe you should consider Mr. Blake's offer."
Amelia stiffened. "How do you know about that?"
"I spotted it on the dark web forums," Adin admitted, hugging his teddy bear. His voice was still that of a child, sweet and small, yet the excitement in his eyes made him look anything but.
"Blake Enterprises posted an encrypted listing," he continued. "One million dollars for a few consultations with their CEO. That post is blowing up in some serious hacker channels. That's real money, Mom."
"Which we could really use," Ariel added, fingering her bracelet.
"Especially since my tech stock portfolio took some hits," Adin mumbled, suddenly fascinated by his shoelaces. He looked like he'd stepped out of a children's fashion ad, dressed in a crisp suit, hair neatly combed, if not for the financial jargon that rolled off his tongue like water.
Amelia narrowed her eyes. Her children were brilliant, but subtle? Not exactly.
"The same portfolio that was up 30% last month?"
Three angelic expressions blinked back at her, faces still round with baby fat, hiding minds that could outpace most adults.
She sighed. She knew exactly what they were doing. Ever since the CEO of Blake Enterprises had posted that absurd consultation offer, her children had been trying gently but persistently, to push her toward it. She had a sneaking suspicion that it wasn't about the money, but their ongoing efforts to uncover the identity of their mysterious father.
"We'll talk about it after we're settled," she said firmly. "Right now, let's focus on…."
A sudden bump of turbulence shook the plane, drawing giggles from the children.
Amelia smiled, but her thoughts drifted. Ahead of them lay Gatham City. Stacy Claire would no doubt be waiting. The girl who had unknowingly lived Amelia's life for twenty-two years due to a hospital mix-up. Now legally adopted by the Grays, Stacy had never forgiven Amelia for suddenly showing up and reclaiming her birthright.
And James Gray, her biological father in name only, who had thrown her out six years ago without a trace of remorse.
Elsewhere, in a private jet…
Samuel approached his boss's seat with quiet steps. The CEO of Blake Enterprises sat reviewing documents on his tablet, his sharp profile illuminated by the cabin's dim lighting.
Dark hair fell effortlessly across his forehead, accentuating his sculpted features. His eyes, upturned and piercing, might've seemed delicate if not for the chilling intensity behind them.
"Sir, about the doctor…"
"No luck?" Alan Blake's voice was quiet, but carried the weight of command.
"No, Mr. Blake," Samuel confirmed.
Alan's long fingers tapped the armrest once, his only sign of irritation.
"Double the offer. Triple it if you have to."
As Samuel stepped away, Alan turned toward the window, catching his reflection in the glass. His straight nose, well-defined lips, and phoenix-like eyes had graced countless magazine covers. Eyes that could smolder, or freeze in a heartbeat.
The plane tilted slightly, beginning its descent into Gatham City.
And far below, in a grand mansion on the city's outskirts, an old man sat in his study, glancing at his watch.
He allowed himself a slow, satisfied smile.
The pieces were finally coming together.