Madison and Allen finally arrived home.
Yuri greeted Madison with a warm embrace, but as soon as she pulled away, she shot a sharp glare at Allen. He didn't argue; he simply sighed, exhausted.
"Hi, Yuri," Madison murmured. Allen didn't say a word, walking straight toward his room.
Yuri led Madison to the couch. "How was the trip?"
"It was fine," Madison replied, her voice trailing off, "until someone decided to bring along a few thugs."
Yuri noted the dark circles under Madison's eyes and the slumped line of her shoulders. "Madison, go and rest. You're exhausted." Madison didn't fight her. She gave a tired nod, stood up, and headed for her room to finally collapse into sleep.
In a different country, bathed in the bright light of midday, a man stood before a floor-to-ceiling window. He stared out at the sprawling cityscape, though his mind seemed miles away.
A sharp knock broke the silence.
"Come in," he said without turning.
his secretary entered, a badge clipped to his shirt that read: CEO'S SECRETARY. "Sir, the date for the summit is finalized. I've sent the details to your device."
The man gave a solitary nod, his reflection ghostly against the glass.
"Would you like the guest list, sir?"
"No need," the man replied coldly. "You can leave."
"Understood, boss." The secretary stepped out, closing the door with a soft click.
Almost immediately, the man's phone vibrated. A message from Beast: Henry will be available tomorrow.
The man's lips curled into a thin smile. He typed back: This time, I'm taking those two with me. Not Henry.
Copy that, Beast replied.
The man locked his phone and returned his gaze to the world below him, watching the people move like ants.
As dawn broke, Ethan woke feeling strangely refreshed. With school out for the day, he decided to clear his head with a run.
Standing before the bathroom mirror, he noticed his reflection looked more at ease than usual. He took a deep breath, the movement defining the V-taper of his physique. His core was lean and disciplined—eight-pack abs and sharp obliques visible even under his light clothes.
He freshened up and stepped into the living area, finding his mother already settled on the couch. She looked up to speak, but Ethan beat her to it.
"Mom? You're up early."
She smiled warmly. "I usually am. But what about you? I thought you'd sleep in since school is off."
"I wanted to get a run in," Ethan said.
"Go ahead, then. Exercise is good for the soul as much as the body." She leaned back, a nostalgic glint in her eyes. "I used to be quite the athlete back in the day."
Ethan grinned. "I can tell. It looks like you still keep up with it."
"I try," she admitted. "Now, are you going now or eating breakfast first?"
Ethan met his mother's warm, grey eyes. "I'll eat when I get back."
"Stay safe," she called out as he headed for the door.
At Madison's House
Madison headed down for breakfast to find her grandfather already at the table. Yuri sat across from him, while the seat beside the Former Chairman remained empty for Madison. As she approached, she overheard her grandfather's firm tone.
"Yuri, you will represent us at the summit. A special bodyguard has been assigned to you. Guests from across the globe will be attending, and we cannot afford a lapse in protocol..."
Yuri nodded diligently. When Madison sat down, the old man broke off his lecture to smile at her.
"Madison, my dear, you're awake."
"Good morning, Grandpa. Morning, Yuri."
"Good morning, Madison," Yuri said, standing up and smoothing out her suit. Seeing Madison's confused look, she added, "I have to head into the office."
As Yuri left and a maid placed a plate in front of Madison, the room fell quiet, save for the clink of silverware. Madison looked at her grandfather, her expression serious.
"Grandpa?"
"Yes, my child?"
"There's something I need to ask. I've mentioned it once before..."
The old man set his coffee down, his gaze softening. "Madison, you can ask me anything. You never have to worry about that with me."
Madison took a deep breath, steadying her voice. "Can you tell me about my mother?"
The Chairman nodded slowly. "Your mother... she was very much like you. She was the type of person who would shoulder all the suffering in the world if it meant an innocent soul didn't have to. She built sanctuaries and homes for displaced children all over the world."
Madison looked at her plate, a trace of bitterness in her voice. "So she was so busy helping other children that she didn't have time for me?"
Her grandfather reached out, placing a weathered hand over hers. "Your mother always wanted to be with you, Madison. I am certain of that."
Madison went quiet, processing the words. Then, a fragmented memory flickered in her mind.
"Grandpa," she said, looking up again. "One more thing."
"Ask away," he said, gently patting her head.
"Was there... someone else? Someone who was with me when I was very little? A boy?"