ght smile lit up her face, and

all

her replied wi

. Sloane tell me?" s

ecently," Declan explained. "I have

ained. "What if we keep it a secret for now?" she suggested eager

soft laugh. "I

ppily, "Dad, you're

he kept spinning across the bed and humming to herself, un

stopped answering her mother's calls. To avoid those conversations, Kylie started leaving the house earlier. So

angry with her, so she stopped avoiding the calls that wa

ut knowing her mother, that didn't make sense. Samira had never been the type to stay silent. If

mira would simply walk awa

ays, Samira's absence pressed on her heart, heavy and difficult to ignore. The urge to hear her vo

vered over the screen, ano

efore. In Goldland, Kylie could still see Merrick whenever she wanted. Soon, that freedom

y called, it was alrea

eep. Just as she was about to answer, Kylie f

elt tied to her daughter. When the call ended so abruptly, panic immediately

ppear on the screen. She turn

bel answered almost immediately. After listening to Samira's hurrie

ight and only woke up not long ago, so she's still a little sleep

nxiety somewhat. "Thank you.

slightest hesitation, Kylie smiled and gave an easy excuse. She claimed she had accidentally dialed her mother'

ng breath. A strange sense of triumph lingered in her chest,

ep refused to return. She spent the rest of the night tossing and turning. Whe

Merrick had called him, he hadn't given another thought to the envelope Samira had sent. The d

" Declan s

away from the manor, hea

n had already left for his ho

eft behind, Samira slowly adjusted to a calmer life. The days felt

up quickly, she pulled the curtains open and let the warm sunlight pour into the room. She stretched

as interrupted by the

s the street. She held a small basket in her hands. "

a polite smile. "Not at

aked muffins and apple pies this morning

gesture. "Thank you. That's

said sincerely. "Without you, that wild dog might've hurt her. My

d. "It really wasn't anythi

exchanges, Corinne said

while reviewing the latest developments in a

ts centenary. Curious, Samira checked the date and realized the event was already underway. The ha

s institutions, it always drew widespread attention. This time, however, the occasion was even more significant.

ast appeared on the screen one after another, stirring memories of her student days. A quiet question rose in

avy. She slowly c

ment, Samira finally deci

ished guests had already left. She walked slowly along the familiar paths and eventually stopped in fro

leton sat across from her and placed a cup of coffee in front of h

. Her voice came out soft but steady. "I'm doin

Shock crossed his face. "I'

shrug. "That's how

lightly. "What about your future? Are you thi

et sigh. "I've thoug

ination. "Samira, the company needs you. You're essentia

ment, lost somewhere far a

But six years had passed since she stepped away. In that time, artificial intelligence had progressed at an incredible speed. Sh