Andrew walked over, Dennis still in his arms. “Set another place at the table.”

All Amelia wanted right then was to disappear, to melt into some quiet corner where nobody could see her.

But Dennis spotted her right away and waved enthusiastically. “Aunt Amelia, come eat with us!"

Her face was still streaked from crying, and she didn't want anyone to notice. She could feel Andrew's gaze behind her, sharp and questioning, like he'd come back just to confront her.

She kept her head down as she walked over. "I'm not hungry. You guys go ahead.” Without waiting for a response, she hurried upstairs.

Andrew was finally home, and Dennis was too excited to care about anything else. He clung to his father and insisted Andrew feed him.

The Lane family had a strict rule about keeping quiet during meals, but Dennis was the only one who ever broke it. He ordered Andrew to serve him food, pointing at every dish he liked. He ate until his little stomach was round and full, then refused to leave Andrew's side, piling food onto his dad's plate with serious concentration.

Dinner finished, Andrew brought Dennis to the sofa.

Kevin followed them, looking Andrew over with a sharp, assessing stare. "What happened to your face?"

"I fell," Andrew said, calm as ever.

Kevin's brow drew tight. "You fell?”

It was pretty clear he didn't buy it.

Andrew didn't budge. "Yes."

Kevin's frown just got deeper. His voice dropped. "Why were you in the capital for so long? Why didn't you come back?"

Andrew kept it short. "I had things to handle."

Kevin shot him a look. "What could possibly be so urgent at the branch office?"

Andrew didn't answer.

Kevin scoffed. "It wasn't the company. It was about a woman, wasn't it?”

He eyed Andrew, suspicion all over his face. "You'd risk dragging The Lane Group

into a scandal for a woman. I can't believe you'd go that far."

Andrew's tone stayed even. "I was just cooperating with the police investigation."

Kevin clearly didn't buy it. His face turned cold. "You know exactly what this is about. The Lane Group is almost entirely yours now You need to know what you're doing

Andrew's expression didn't change. "I know."

Dennis sat between them, glancing nervously from one to the other, arms wrapped

tight around himself. "Grandpa, Dad, are you guys fighting?"

Andrew gave his shoulder a gentle pat. "No."

Dennis just muttered a quiet, awkward "oh."

Andrew hadn't come back to get scolded by Kevin. He changed the topic, turning his attention to Dennis. His eyes cooled, his voice took on distant edge.

"Dennis, do you know why I came back?"

Dennis froze. He wasn't used to seeing his dad look like that. He stammered, “Didn't

you come back from a business trip?"

Andrew looked him straight in the eye. "I came back because of you."

Dennis's eyes went wide. "You missed me?"

Andrew didn't hesitate. "Dennis, why did you try to hurt yourself?"

The words hit hard. Dennis instantly realized his dad was here to scold him, just like Grandpa had.

He tried to slide off the sofa and make a run for Kevin, hoping for protection. Andrew saw it coming and caught his arm. His voice was cold. "You do something like that and then try to run away? Who taught you that?"

Dennis squirmed, his voice small and desperate. “Dad, you just got back. Don't be so harsh with me."

Andrew didn't soften. He called Dennis by his full name, voice clear and firm. "Dennis Lane. Tell me the truth. Why did you do it?"

Dennis bit his lip, looking over at Kevin for help. "... Grandpa, help me."

Andrew's brow creased. "This is about what you did. Don't try to blame someone else. Do you even know what it means to do something like that? Do you

understand how serious en

irresponsiblet is? You're stil so young, but you'd do something so reckless. I just can't understand it.'