Upon arriving at the magnificent Valtor residence—so grand it could be mistaken for a royal palace—Igna was warmly greeted by Laisane Valtor.
"My son, you're getting more handsome, and your body looks stronger," said Mrs. Valtor cheerfully, hugging him and gently holding his face.
"Hahaha, that's the result of regular exercise, Mother," Igna replied with a light laugh.
"My son is truly the best. You excel in academics, you're talented in business, and you even know how to take care of yourself," Mrs. Valtor praised as she linked her arm with his while walking toward Mr. Valtor's office.
"Father is inside, right?" Igna asked.
"Yes, he is. If your father gives you a difficult order, try to stand your ground," she said worriedly.
"Hahaha, there's no need to worry, Mother. I'll go inside now. See you later," Igna said, pressing the doorbell to his father's office.
"All right, I'll be waiting while preparing dinner for you."
The elegant and loving woman walked away, and soon the office door opened.
As Igna stepped inside, the cold and tense atmosphere instantly wrapped around him, even though he had only just entered. The gothic furniture and décor deepened the dark ambiance of the room.
Glancing around, Igna thought to himself, "I actually like this room—it feels like something out of a royal castle—but I still prefer my own, which is far more modern and advanced."
"Good evening, Father," Igna greeted, bowing politely in front of the large desk where a chair faced away from him.
He straightened his posture. "Is there something you wish to discuss with me, Father?"
"What do you think I'm going to say?" came the deep, raspy voice of the middle-aged man.
"I assume you'll ask about what I've achieved during the past four years," Igna replied with a faint smirk.
Mr. Valtor turned his chair around, revealing a man still in great shape for his age. Leaning back with his arms crossed, his sharp eyes observed Igna carefully.
"Ahem…" Igna cleared his throat softly.
"The results I've achieved over the past four years are as follows.
First, I completed my Master's degree in Business Management in just four years—entirely through my own capability. While waiting for graduation, I'm currently taking additional classes—advanced courses in technology and arts.
Second, amid a life filled with endless studying, I've also been active in trading and crypto, resulting in substantial personal wealth. Although, I admit, the initial capital I invested was your money, Father.
Third, I've built good connections with the sons and daughters of influential people, though I must say, socializing with them can be utterly exhausting.
And lastly—perhaps the most interesting one—I've eliminated those who disturbed my peace… in a pleasant yet perfectly discreet manner."
He spoke calmly, his expression utterly composed.
"What will you do next?" Mr. Valtor asked.
"For the next two years, I plan to continue to a Doctorate while interning at Aureus. That way, by the time I turn twenty-five, I'll be ready to officially work at the company," Igna said with a confident smile.
"Igna, sometimes I worry about you," Mr. Valtor admitted, resting his chin on his hand. "At your age—only twenty-two—you've accomplished far beyond my expectations. I raised you with strict discipline, but knowing that you truly enjoy everything you do… my worries always fade away."
"What exactly are you worried about, Father? That I might be stressed from balancing everything—studies, business, networking, media appearances, and sometimes… killing people?" Igna tilted his head slightly, smiling faintly. "Ah, or perhaps you think I'm a psychopath? Since you're aware that I have a rather significant dual personality?"
"Others may never understand you," Mr. Valtor said, his voice calm. "But I believe that with your way of seeing the world as something beautiful, you'll always be able to overcome life's difficulties."
"Hahaha… thank you for the compliment," Igna replied with a slow nod.
"I heard you've become obsessed with a certain novel—so much that you've been searching for its author all over the world. Considering how persistent you've been for the past ten years, I'd say the chance of finding that author is one in ninety-nine. And unfortunately, you seem to be that one out of ninety-nine."
He paused, his tone turning cold.
"Igna, I think it's better if you stop thinking about it. Throw that novel out of your life."
"I've been reading that novel for twelve years, Father. It's hard to forget something that long. Especially since the ending wasn't what I wanted. My purpose in finding the author is simply to ask for a revised or new version—and I only want the original writer to do it," Igna explained with a blank expression.
"You're quite an unusual man. Instead of obsessing over women, you're obsessed with a novel that was only printed ten books," Mr. Valtor replied dryly.
'If I'm being honest,' Igna thought, 'I actually fell in love with the novel's main female character. That's why no real woman ever interests me. None of them resemble her.'
"It seems you've done some thorough research, Father. You even know that only ten copies of that novel exist.
As for women… I think it's simply not the right time for me to find a partner," Igna said, smiling faintly.
"Fine, focus on your career for now. But by the age of thirty, you must marry. If by then you still don't have a lover, I'll personally choose a woman for you," Mr. Valtor warned.
"Yes, Father," Igna replied reluctantly.
After a long discussion about the company, Igna finally joined Mrs. Valtor, who had already prepared dinner for him.
At the large and luxurious dining table, beautiful dishes were elegantly served, and beside him sat his loving mother.
"You must eat well, dear. I cooked all of this for you—especially the rendang, your favorite dish. Do you know? I even learned how to make it from a famous Indonesian chef," said Mrs. Valtor warmly.
"Really?" Igna asked, glancing at her.
"Yes, of course! Ever since our vacation to Indonesia for your eighteenth birthday, you tried so many local dishes—and fell in love with rendang! You kept asking me to make it even after we returned home. But of course, in America, rendang never tastes quite the same as in its homeland.
So I asked an Indonesian chef to teach me how to cook rendang and other traditional dishes. But his schedule was always full, and you had moved closer to Nexus University. So while living apart from you, I used my time to learn. I even paid a great deal to take private lessons for four years! That's why you have to finish everything I cooked!" she said with genuine enthusiasm.
Igna watched his mother talk so cheerfully. Hearing her story—how much effort she put in just to make him happy—made him feel truly loved and cared for. He hugged her tightly and said,
"Thank you so much, Mother. Thank you for cooking all this for me. I'll eat every last bite."
"You're welcome, my dear. I hope you enjoy it," she replied, patting his back softly.
Igna began eating heartily.
"Will you just watch me, or are you going to eat too?" he asked without looking up from his plate.
"Oh, yes! I'll eat with you," Mrs. Valtor said, preparing her own meal.
"How does it taste, dear?" she asked eagerly.
"It's delicious, Mother! Especially because you made it yourself," Igna praised, giving her a thumbs-up.
"I'm glad to hear that. I've missed having dinner with you and Ivalyn," she said with a faint smile.
"Just tell Sister to come home, then. Managing a holy house can't possibly keep her busy twenty-four hours a day," Igna replied.
"Running a sacred residence that includes a grand church, an orphanage, and a spiritual center takes a toll on her weak body. You know how fragile she is—and she chose that path instead of treatment and staying with us. Sometimes I feel like I've abandoned her," Mrs. Valtor said sadly.
'She chose that path because Father only wanted a son, and thought a sickly daughter was useless,' Igna thought silently.
"Then maybe we should visit her soon. And, Mother, it's her choice to live that way, so you don't have to feel sad or guilty," he said gently, trying to comfort her.
'I miss her too… but it's better that she lives a normal, peaceful life rather than getting dragged into this world we live in. Even if deep down, I know she feels like she was cast aside by her own father,' Igna reflected quietly.