Though electricity and signal had been restored, Louis was still staying at ho since it was Friday, and the weekend was right around the corner.
Barbara had already prepared breakfast and was calling Dr. Franky and Louis to eat. She poured milk for both of them and then asked, “Doctor, are you feeling better?” Dr. Franky rubbed his waist and smiled, “Nothing serious, just a little bump.” Barbara, however, patted her chest in relief, “That’s good. I saw on the news that there was a shooting during the morial last night. Several people were unfortunately hit by stray bullets. Though no one was critically injured, it was still such an unfortunate incident! You were really lucky, Doctor.” She still rembered how Dr. Franky had returned late last night, holding his waist—it had been quite the scare. “What could happen?” Dr. Franky opened the newspaper and said nonchalantly, “I was just bumped by so people trying to flee. You’re overreacting.” Barbara shook her head and then recalled sothing, “By the way, Doctor, Mr. Alfie called about half an hour ago. He said he’s on his way ho and that there’s sothing he wants to discuss with you. He asked you to wait for him.” Dr. Franky frowned and glanced at Louis, who was silently eating with his head down, a bit displeased. “What, he didn’t co ho last night?” “He said there was sothing urgent,” Barbara explained. Dr. Franky snorted but said nothing more. Not long after, Mr. Alfie returned ho. He asked Barbara to take Louis out to the yard to play, then called Dr. Franky into the study. Without saying a word, Mr. Alfie paced the study, clearly agitated, but his eyes never left Dr. Franky—like a parent too angry to speak, staring at a child who had made a grave mistake. “If you have sothing to say, just say it. I’m not your subordinate, so there’s no need to put on this act as the Minister of Security in front of ,” Dr. Franky said coldly. Mr. Alfie stopped, took a deep breath, and stared intently at Dr. Franky, speaking in a low voice, “I’m here to ask you: did you and Billy make so sort of deal?” Dr. Franky was slightly startled and then turned his head, calmly replying, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” “Layton Company! Secret technological support!” Mr. Alfie’s voice lowered further. Dr. Franky opened his mouth as if to speak but then fell silent. The two n locked eyes for a long ti before the doctor finally sighed and said, “Since you already know, what’s the point of asking ?” “Because I don’t believe it! I need to hear it from your own mouth!” Mr. Alfie shouted angrily, “I don’t believe my father would do sothing like this! I don’t believe my father would lose his mind like this… Have you gone senile? Do you even realize who’s behind Layton Company? You and Billy actually went to Layton for this kind of secret technological deal?” Dr. Franky shook his head, “All I know is that if this deal succeeds, we’ll be able to launch our first satellite within a year or two. For that, any sacrifice is worth it.” Mr. Alfie tried to calm himself down, “Do you know who we’ve caught in the past few days?” “Who you’ve caught has nothing to do with ,” Dr. Franky replied, shaking his head. “I’m just a scientist. I don’t concern myself with politics.” “It’s soone from the FBI.” Mr. Alfie’s gaze darkened as he continued, “Yes, you may not care about politics, but do you even realize that Layton Company has been under surveillance by their governnt for a while now? Once your deal goes through and the evidence is solid, Layton will be charged with selling national technology, and we will be their accomplices! We’ll be giving that rogue nation a perfect excuse to blackmail us!” "Th-this..." Dr. Franky suddenly stood up. Not being concerned with politics didn't an he couldn't analyze the pros and cons; he just hadn't thought about it. "This... this is impossible." "Those agents are on my turf right now! Do you want to send you to them?" Alfie roared at his father in fury. "You're my father! You're hurting ! Are you trying to get killed? Do you want to tear this already broken family apart again? Are you trying to destroy the life I've just barely put back together? You stubborn old man!" "Alfie, I..." Dr. Franky's lips trembled. Alfie wiped his face with both hands, took a few deep breaths, and said, "I'm sorry, I spoke too harshly. I've managed to suppress this matter for now. But from now on, you can't have any more contact with Billy. I don't want to be labeled as being part of his faction by the current president!" Dr. Franky remained silent. Alfie turned his back and said, "I've already submitted your resignation to the research institute on your behalf, citing health reasons for being unable to fulfill your duties. But you won't be idle; the National University will appoint you as an honorary dean. If you're too free, you can give lectures to the young people." "You’re interfering with my personal life! Alfie! You can’t do this!" Dr. Franky rushed forward, grabbing his son's arm. "I don’t want to... I really don’t want to..." Alfie said slowly. "I don’t want Louis to see send you to a nursing ho." "Alfie..." Dr. Franky’s grip weakened, and he let go. He left the study, looking lost. ... Barbara was playing soccer with Louis in the yard, but Louis didn't seem to be in a good mood. Barbara walked over to him, knelt down, and asked, "Louis, don’t you like soccer? Didn’t you say Maradona is your idol?" Louis shook his head, then looked up at the study. "Barbara, are Dad and Grandpa fighting?" "Of course not. They're just discussing sothing important." Barbara reassured him, "They’ll probably co down soon! Hmm... I think I’ll start preparing lunch. How about I make your favorite?" "Okay." Louis nodded and took Barbara’s hand to go back inside. Suddenly, he asked, "Barbara, was my mom a really amazing person?" Barbara was startled. "Why do you ask?" Louis said, "Grandpa took to the science museum yesterday, and I saw a huge satellite! It was so cool! And Mom’s na was on it, along with Grandpa’s!" "Of course! Your mom was one of your grandpa’s students, his most prized disciple." Barbara smiled. "Why have Dad and Grandpa never told about this?" Louis asked, puzzled. "Louis." Barbara knelt down and gently cupped his face. "Do you trust ?" Louis nodded. Barbara said seriously, “Then you should listen to and trust . Whether it’s your father or your grandfather, there’s a very important reason why they haven’t told you. Louis, you’re a good boy, right? You should understand not to make them sad, okay?” Louis nodded, sowhat understanding. --- Colombia, Cartagena, the beautiful ancient city by the bay. As the plane quietly landed in this city known as the most beautiful port city in South Arica, it was already noon. The first to exit the cabin was O'Neil, who stretched lazily. Just as he was about to flash a bright smile at the flight attendant and ask for her number, Lluvia walked by, grabbed his ear, and pulled him away. “Is your friend always like this?” Luo Qiu followed behind and asked Song Haoran. Since they were in first class, the four of them were the first to leave, and the airport corridor appeared quite empty and quiet. “Probably a feeling of being enemies?” Song Haoran described lightly. He watched O'Neil, who was being tugged at by Lluvia in front, and smiled, saying, “When I first t O'Neil, he was working at a hotel, parking cars for guests. Later, I found out he would secretly take the guests’ cars out and pretend to be a rich man.” “Did he ever steal your car?” Luo Qiu asked curiously. “No,” Song Haoran shrugged. “I don’t drive luxury cars, so he wasn’t interested in mine.” Luo Qiu nodded. “What about Lluvia? How did she end up with you?” Song Haoran smacked his lips as if lost in thought. Suddenly, he said, “Lluvia actually ans ‘rain’. I t her on a rainy day. At that ti, she told she didn’t have a na, so I nad her ‘Lluvia’... and that’s how it happened.” “That’s it?” Luo Qiu was slightly taken aback. Song Haoran shrugged and smiled, “That’s it.” Boss Luo smiled and skipped the topic. “What’s the next itinerary?” Song Haoran walked ahead and said, “We’re not going anywhere else; this is the temporary destination. Dad got here early, and I’m taking you to et him now.” In front of the corridor, Song Haoran’s silhouette was very tall and slender. He suddenly turned around, smiled, and said, “Oh, I forgot to tell you, you can do whatever you want here. Because this is... our Song family’s territory.” He looked at Luo Qiu and said softly, “We.”
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