Karol's lips tightened briefly as she said, "I'll leave you be, then."

With a final glance at Lilah, she climbed into her car and left, her bodyguards in tow.

Lilah quirked an eyebrow. “She seems to live in a high-profile manner."

Gerard acknowledged, “She's the prized daughter of the Morris family and quite skilled in martial arts."

"You seem to respect her abilities," Lilah noted, her smile unreadable.

Gerard drew her closer. "To me, she's purely a business associate.

Without our companies’ interests aligning, our paths would never have crossed."

Such was the nature of their world. Relationships were driven by necessity, not sentiment.

"Is that so?" Lilah probed playfully, "Despite her allure and capabilities?"

Gerard's response was unequivocal. "To me, business partners aren't distinguished by gender."

In his view, Karol wasn't a woman to be considered in any personal capacity.

Lilah's smile was secretive. "Then, without me, would your life have been solitary?"

“Absolutely.”

"So sure?"

"Yes." His certainty was unwavering. "I would have waited only for you."

Lilah's heart fluttered at his words. After a moment, she clasped his hand. "I feel the same."

Feeling left out, Jerrold wriggled between them. Lilah chuckled, lifting him into her arms and planting a kiss on his cheek.

“You're getting big, yet you still want to be carried. You'll tire your mom out," Gerard teased, taking Jerrold into his own arms.

Jerrold merely snorted. Deep down, he knew his mother's love was unparalleled. He kept quiet, not wanting to dent his father's pride.

After their stroll, Lilah, feeling weary, retired early.

But life had a way of springing surprises.

That night, a photograph surfaced online, rapidly shared by night owls and insomniacs, spreading like wildfire.

"Wow, who is this? She's stunning. She and Gerard look great together."

"Don't you know her? That's Karol from the Morris family. She was studying overseas and just returned."