The recipient appeared to be invisible, yet swiftly responded to the message.

[I've been waiting for you for quite some time, Poppy]

Feeling that messaging was too sluggish, Freya hid her caller ID and dialed Lance's number.

Naturally, she altered her voice.

"I'm aware that Cloudstone is facing difficulties. I'm willing to assist you, but I have a condition."

"Go ahead."

Lance's voice conveyed his excitement.

With narrowed eyes and a composed tone, Freya continued, "I know that Fenton Group owns a pharmaceutical factory. I need your help in gathering all the medicinal materials containing the word 'root.'"

Hearing this, Lance was slightly surprised by her request.

But he didn't probe further and agreed with a nod. "Okay."

"Very well. I'll return to Cloudstone this afternoon. I expect the medicinal materials to be ready by then."

"No problem."

With little more said, Freya ended the call.

After confirming the time and finding it still early, she resumed her unfinished tasks.

It wasn't until 2 o'clock in the afternoon that she left the laboratory.

"Ella, please assist me with the remaining experiments and ensure all results are documented. I'll quickly visit Cloudstone and be back by evening."

"Understood."

Disguising herself first, Freya then drove to Cloudstone Group.

As her car slowed to a stop, she spotted Lance waiting at the entrance from a distance.

Exiting the car, a slight curve formed on her lips. "Michael, it's been a while."

"Indeed, it has."

Walking side by side into the company, they discussed the current company situation along the way.

"I believe you should consider returning to manage the Fenton Group. Since you're not proficient in IT technology, what's the point of persisting with Cloudstone?"

Lance's expression darkened upon hearing this.

Silently, he clenched his fists.

"It's because of my brother's wish. Even if it's a struggle, I can't allow Cloudstone to collapse."

Lance felt the urge to share for the first time. Memories from his childhood resurfaced, taking him back to when he was five years old.

"My brother, Zach, had a passion for computers from a young age. However, my father deemed him worthless and destroyed his computer. Following that, my brother was groomed as the family heir. Until his college years, he was sent abroad to study by my father. Unwilling to be controlled by our parents for his entire life, he changed his major without consent and pursued IT technology in college. He even co-founded a software company with his classmates."

"My father was livid upon discovering this. He flew overseas overnight to argue with my brother and forcibly dissolved his company abroad, bringing him back to inherit the family business. Unwilling to yield, my brother secretly started another venture. This time, his career flourished, and he gradually attracted investors. Yet, once again, my father intervened and destroyed his company."

At this point, Lance stopped talking and clenched his fists so tightly that it made a cracking sound.

Observing his demeanor, Freya could sense that this was a painful memory.

However, she couldn't resist asking, "What happened afterward?"

"After the company collapsed, my brother and our family had a massive argument. That night, he left home with his belongings, never to return."

"Where did he go?"

"He passed away."

The weighty words hung in the air, leaving Freya stunned.

"How… did he die?"

She inquired.

"He and a group of friends embarked on an adventure to the snow-capped mountains, where they faced an avalanche that tragically claimed their lives."

Upon hearing this, Freya couldn't help but think of Jinny and Shirley, two adventurers whose lives were also cut short during a forest expedition.

Strangely, after hearing this account, her mood grew somber.

"So, you founded Cloudstone Group to honor your brother's wishes?"

"Yes."

Lance affirmed, acknowledging that his motivation stemmed from his brother's memory, but it also marked his initial step in confronting the Fenton family.

His brother's demise left him embittered, straining his relationship with his father over the years.

Despite holding the title of Executive Director of the Fenton Group, he preferred to forge his own path in business.

Being around that man would only serve as a reminder of his brother's death!

"No matter what, Cloudstone must remain standing. Poppy, I sincerely implore you to return and assist me. I assure you, I'll agree to any terms."

Freya sighed helplessly, "I'm sorry, but I have more pressing matters to attend to. However, I promise to help you tackle this crisis at Cloudstone this time."

With that, Lance refrained from further pressure.

He trusted that Poppy would agree to help; he had exhausted all efforts.

Continuing to push her would be unethical.

Freya first examined software vulnerabilities and then proceeded with targeted repairs.

It was her responsibility, and she knew the code inside out. However, since her departure, someone had tampered with the code, necessitating a meticulous inspection.

As a skilled hacker, her insights surpassed those of ordinary individuals, enabling her to swiftly identify the problem.

Before she knew it, evening had arrived.

Freya poured all her energy into her work, her delicate fingers dancing across the keyboard.

Fearful of disturbing her, Lance silently stood by, refraining from making a sound.

As he witnessed each software gradually resuming operation, his tense expression gradually softened.

In previous collaborations with Poppy, she had opted to assist him remotely in software development.

Today marked the first time Lance observed Poppy's work firsthand.

He silently observed her profile, her exquisite features vaguely familiar, particularly those clear, focused eyes, which reminded him of someone.

Freya …

Upon discovering the issue, Lance's brow furrowed deeply.

Despite being clearly separate individuals, he somehow linked them.

Lance felt like he was losing his mind.

He walked over to the sofa, picked up a glass of cold water, and drained it in one gulp.

At that moment, Freya had completed all software repairs. She stood up and stretched lazily.

"It's done."

Lance was astonished. He glanced at his watch; only a hundred and eighty minutes had passed.

His eyes filled with disbelief.

"What about the items I requested?"

Freya quickly responded, eager to return to the clinic.

With only half an hour left until Bradley finished work and came to pick her up, she needed to hurry back.

"The items are ready; I've asked the assistant to bring them in."

Lang called out. Soon, the assistant entered and handed a tote bag to Freya.

"These are all the medicinal materials currently available from the pharmaceutical factory with the word 'root.' There are also new materials being transported, and once they arrive, I'll pick them out and hand them over to you."

"Thank you."

Freya took the tote bag and turned to leave.

"Poppy."

Lance caught up, speaking sincerely, "I still genuinely hope that you'll reconsider. After all, we've been working together for so many years. Losing you, I'm afraid I'll never find a partner as compatible as you."

"The decision I've made will not easily change."

Freya smiled at him.