Amelia bolted upright from her bed. "It's true? Really?!"

Her fathers voice, steady and composed, confirmed it. "Yes."

"Then why didnt Penny tell me just now?"

"The matter has only recently been settled. She doesnt know yet."

Amelia clasped her hands, her excitement bubbling over like champagne spilled in celebration. "Dad, promise me you wont tell her yet. Lets keep it a surprise until we return home. I want to see the look on her face when she finds out!"

"Alright, its a deal."

Amelia's voice was vibrant with affection. "Youre the best, Dad! I love you to pieces!"

The call was brief, but the joy it sparked lingered long after. Hanging up, Amelia couldn't contain herself. She leapt onto the bed, singing at the top of her lungs, her laughter cutting through the room like rays of sunlight after a storm.

But as the initial euphoria abated, another thought crossed her mindOlivia.

These past few days, she had been in a great mood because her mom hadnt called.

In fact, to avoid talking to her mom, she had been deliberately leaving early in the morning and keeping her phone far away or turned off after school.

After two days, worried her mom would get angry if she found out, she stopped doing it.

But to her surprise, her mom hadnt called at all over the next few days.

At first, she thought her mom had discovered she was intentionally missing her calls.

But then it occurred to herbased on past experience, if her mom knew she had done something wrong, she would have immediately corrected her instead of giving her the silent treatment out of anger.

After all, in her moms eyes, she was the most important person. Her mom loved her mostshe refused to believe her mom would really stay angry and not call her over something like this.

Thinking of this, Amelia suddenly missed Olivia a little.

It was the first time she had missed Olivia in days.

She couldnt help but call her mom.

But just as the call went through, she rememberedeven though she would get to see Penny again soon after returning home, given her moms nature, her mom would definitely try everything to stop her from seeing Penny.

She wouldnt be able to see Penny whenever she wanted like she could here.

The thought instantly soured her mood.

*****

It was the middle of the night at Olivia's.

She was already asleep when Amelias call woke her.

She saw it was Amelia calling and was about to answer when Amelia angrily hung up.

Even though Olivia had stated in the divorce papers that she was giving up custody of Amelia, Amelia was still her daughter.

She still felt responsible for the girl.

Worried that something might have happened, she immediately called back.

Amelia saw the call but turned her face away, refusing to answer.

Growing more concerned, Olivia called the landline at the villa.

Zoe answered quickly. After hearing Olivia out, she said, Miss Amelia should be fine. She stayed up very late last night and slept in today. She was still asleep when I went upstairs earlier. Let me check on her and call you back shortly.

Reassured by Zoes words, Olivia replied, Alright, thank you.

By the time Zoe went upstairs, Amelia was already brushing her teeth in the bathroom.

When Zoe explained the situation, Amelia lied with her head down, mouth full of toothpaste. I accidentally pressed it.

Zoe didnt suspect anything. Seeing she was brushing her teeth, she went back downstairs to update Olivia.

Amelia snorted quietly, feeling slightly better.

Olivia, too, felt relieved after hearing from Zoe.

But having been woken up suddenly, she struggled to fall back asleep. The next day, she showed up to work in low spirit.

The envelope containing the divorce papers that Olivia had given Jason was completely forgotten after he took Penelopes call that day.

On the day of their return, Jason placed the last document into his briefcase, double-checked that nothing was missing, and headed downstairs.

Lets go.

The stretch Lincoln soon left the villa for the airport.

*****

Olivia had no idea Jason and Amelia were returning home.

No one had told her.

It had been half a month since she moved out of the villa.

During this time, she had gradually grown accustomed toand even begun to enjoythe quiet, comfortable life of living alone.

It was the weekend, and she had slept in.

After washing up, she drew the curtains. The sunlight streamed in. She stretched, watered her plants, and was about to make a simple breakfast when the doorbell rang.

It was Mrs. Watson, her neighbor from across the hall.

Miss Smith, I hope I didnt wake you.

Olivia replied gently, Not at all, I was already up.

Then I'm relived, Mrs. Watson said warmly. These are freshly baked bread from this morning. I brought some for you to try.

Thank you, you really didnt have to.

Its the least I could do! If you hadnt saved my girl Ella from that mad dog the other day, who knows how badly she wouldve been bitten. Weve been meaning to properly thank you, but my husband and I have been so busy with work that we havent had the time. I feel terrible about this.

It was nothing, really. Youre too kind, Mrs. Watson.

After a brief chat, Mrs. Watson left.

Olivia went back inside, had breakfast while studying the algorithm mechanics of an AI she had been researching recently.

In the afternoon, a notification about Thorneham Universitys centennial anniversary popped up on her phone.

Olivia paused and checked the dateit really was Thorneham Universitys anniversary today.

She went online and saw several trending topics about TUniversityCentennial.

The reason for the high attention wasnt just because Thorneham University was the countrys top university, but also because this was its first centennial celebration. Many distinguished alumni had been invited back for the event.

These alumni were leading figures in various industries, drawing significant public interest.

Olivia glanced through the news.

When she spotted several familiar faces in the photos, her hand trembled slightly.

Memories of her university days came flooding back.

A flush of bitterness flooded over her.

If she hadnt gotten married right after graduating, perhaps she would have been among the invited distinguished alumni today.

Olivia closed her laptop. After a moments hesitation, she drove to Thorneham University.

It was already afternoon by the time she arrived.

Many of the big shots invited to the ceremony had already left.

But the campus was still bustling with activity.

Olivia wandered aimlessly around the campus. When she reached the familiar lab building, a voice called out to her.

Oli?

Twenty minutes later, at a cafe near Thorneham University.

Adam Thompson poured Olivia a cup of coffee. How have you been lately?

Olivia cradled the cup, smiling faintly with downcast eyes. Pretty good. Its just Im getting a divorce.

Adam hadnt expected that. He paused. Im sorry.

Its fine.

What are your plans after this? Would you consider coming back to the company?

Ive thought about it, but

Adam didnt know what was holding her back, but he said earnestly, Oli, the company needs you. Youre still a partner. I hope you can come back and take charge.

I I

Seeing the sincerity in his eyes, Olivia found it hard to voice her worries.

It wasnt that she didnt want to.

But the field of AI was advancing too rapidly.

Having been out of the industry for six years, she feared she wouldnt be able to keep up with the times, let alone lead the team at the forefront like she used to.