Elsewhere
Mr. Murphy stood on the balcony of his penthouse suite, looking out over the sprawling city skyline below.
The balcony doors slid open, and Beast strolled out into the crisp air with his usual loud, carefree demeanor.
"Murphy, my son! I am back!" Beast boomed, grinning. "How have you been? I never miss you."
Murphy didn't flinch. He slowly turned around, his eyes cold and analytical. "I heard you crossed paths with some military men."
"Come on, man, let a guy sit down first," Beast grumbled, pulling out a chair. He settled in before continuing, "But to answer your question—yes. I met two other guys. And I also met Ethan."
Murphy nodded slowly, digesting the information. "Ethan... he..." Murphy murmured, muttering something dark and confidential under his breath.
Beast's grin widened, though his eyes narrowed slightly. "Wow. That's very rude, man."
Murphy ignored the comment, turning his attention to the missing piece of the puzzle. "Anyway, where's Henry?"
"Well, I have no idea," Beast chuckled, scratching the back of his neck. "Last I checked, he was absolutely furious about a hospital bill."
A small, rare smirk touched Murphy's lips. "I think things will stay quiet for a while."
"Oh yeah? How do you know that?" Beast asked, leaning back.
Murphy turned his gaze back out toward the city lights. "I heard from my daughter that their final exams are about to begin."
Beast let out a sudden, roaring laugh that echoed off the glass walls of the penthouse. "That means the Ethan boy will be stuck at a desk taking tests! Hahaha! A dangerous, lethal mercenary writing school exams. What a sight."
Murphy didn't laugh. He just stared silently back out over the city.
A quiet silence fell over the balcony, heavy with the weight of years. Beast's laughter died down, replaced by a rare, introspective look.
"Murphy, my son," Beast said softly after a long pause. "Do you ever think about the old times?"
Murphy didn't reply, his profile like carved stone against the sky.
"I think about it," Beast continued, leaning his head back. "We grew old without even realizing it."
Murphy gave a slow nod, a faint, dimming light in his eyes as he stared at the world below.
"You went and got married somewhere along the way... and now, here we are," Beast mused, turning a nostalgic gaze toward his old comrade. "I never thought someone like you would ever get married."
"I'm not sure either," Murphy spoke quietly, his voice carrying a trace of doubt. "Even now."
Murphy turned to face him, his sharp eyes locking onto Beast. Before the conversation could dive any deeper into the past, the balcony doors slid open again. A waitress stepped out, carrying a massive, steaming platter of food.
Beast's eyes lit up instantly. "Murphy, my son! You certainly know how to make me happy," he cheered as the waitress set the platter down and quietly exited. He immediately grabbed a piece of chicken, taking a massive bite. "Now tell me your real purpose."
Murphy stepped over and took a seat directly across from him. "I have no other purpose," he said smoothly, his calm gaze fixed on his old friend. "You did what I asked you to do. Consider this a small gift."
Beast nodded, chewing happily. "Very well. I never say no to free food."
Murphy leaned back, his eyes drifting upward toward the sky.
Just then, the heavy glass door clicked open once more. A man stepped onto the balcony, entirely in a sharp black shirt and tailored black pants.
Beast paused, a grin returning to his face. "Wow! I never thought I'd see you here."
"Greetings, Mr. Beast. How are you doing?" Jake said, his voice even and respectful.
Beast nodded. "I'm good. What about you, kid?"
"I am also doing well, sir," Jake replied smoothly.
"You've grown into a handsome man, Jake," Beast teased, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Got any thoughts of getting married anytime soon?"
Jake walked over, stepping into position right behind Murphy's chair like a shadow. "I am, currently, very busy."
Beast chuckled and nodded, returning to his food.
Meanwhile
Back home, Ethan finished his breakfast in quiet contemplation, the mystery of his father's wealthy friend still burning in his mind.
A moment later, the door to the bedroom clicked open and Daisy stepped out, yawning as she greeted him. Soon, she was happily eating her own breakfast while Ethan headed upstairs to change into his school uniform.
The transition back to reality was jarring. Just days ago, he was bleeding out in a submarine; now, he was adjusting his school collar in the mirror.
With their bags packed, Ethan and Daisy left the house together, walking briskly to catch up on the time he had missed. As they rounded the corner near a local park, Ethan spotted a familiar figure.
It was the trainer from the MMA gym—the same guy who had handed him a business card weeks ago.
The man was out for his morning jog, sweat glistening on his forehead. Spotting Ethan, he slowed his pace and waved cheerfully.
Ethan caught his eye and waved back, doing his absolute best to keep his expression completely blank and normal.
Please don't come near me, he thought.
Daisy, however, didn't miss a beat. She noticed the awkward exchange, biting her lower lip to keep from laughing out loud at her brother's stiff reaction.
As they continued their journey down the sidewalk, Daisy began bombarding him with questions about his "trip." Ethan kept his answers light and positive, smoothly weaving a few believable lies into the narrative to keep his cover intact.
Before long, the towering gates of their school loomed ahead, and the heavy iron doors of high school life swung wide open.