The language competition day arrived sooner than expected.

To everyone's surprise, Theodore Whitmore had caught wind of the kindergarten event and showed up with as much enthusiasm as the children.

Theodore grinned, his eyes twinkling. "I may be an old man, but nothing brings me more joy than watching these little ones. Besides, retirement means I can attend every school event from now on!"

Seeing Theodore there to support him, Oliver Kingsley lit up with excitement and immediately ran into the older man’s arms.

"Mr. Whitmore! You came!"

Chuckling, Theodore ruffled Oliver’s hair affectionately. "Of course I did. How could I miss your big competition? I had to be here to cheer you on in person."

With a heart as youthful as Oliver’s, Theodore got along famously with the boy—they could spend hours playing together, much to the amusement of those around them.

Standing nearby, Sebastian Kingsley observed the scene, his dark eyes flickering with something unreadable, a hint of complexity beneath his composed exterior.

Noticing Sebastian’s gaze, Theodore glanced his way and gave a subtle nod—a silent acknowledgment—before turning his attention back to Oliver.

A shadow passed over Sebastian’s expression.

It seemed Theodore had recognized him.

But neither of them spoke of it—an unspoken understanding lingered between them.

Sebastian shifted his focus to Amy Sinclair.

Oliver had mentioned Theodore many times before. Sebastian had assumed he was just a skilled old doctor. But during their last encounter, he had learned the truth: Theodore Whitmore was the founder of Whitmore Industries. After decades away from the public eye, few remembered him, and Sebastian had only recognized him by chance.

He never would have guessed Amy had befriended such an influential figure.

A thought flickered through Sebastian’s mind.

Her childhood friend—her ever-loyal "big brother," Benjamin Carter—was another enigma. His background wasn’t exactly simple either.

And then there was Samantha Reynolds...

So far, Sebastian hadn’t uncovered anything particularly unusual about her.

He watched as Oliver, Theodore, and Samantha stood around Amy, laughing and chatting, the four of them forming a tight-knit, effortless circle.

There was something about Amy—she was extraordinary herself, and those drawn to her were anything but ordinary.

Just then, a sharp voice cut through the cheerful atmosphere like a blade.

"Tsk, Sebastian, you’re the head of the Kingsley family. You could’ve chosen any proper heiress to help raise your son, yet you settled for some nobody with barely an education? Look at her—her friends are either brawny, empty-headed women or old men past their prime. And these are the people you bring to support your son? Aren’t you embarrassed?"

The laughter and conversation died instantly.

Amy and the others turned to look at Nathan Prescott. Their expressions weren’t angry—just blank, as if they’d spotted something unpleasant on the sidewalk. Disgust, and nothing more.

Samantha used to engage with Nathan, but lately, she couldn’t be bothered. Arguing with someone so dense felt like it would lower her own IQ. Even looking at him seemed like a waste of brain cells.

She nudged Amy and wrinkled her nose. "Celeste, something foul is in the air—it reeks. Let’s talk inside."

Amy squeezed Oliver’s hand and smiled. "Good idea."

Without sparing Nathan a single word, they all turned and walked away.

Nathan’s eyes narrowed as he watched Amy leave, a nasty smirk curling his lips.

"Amy Sinclair, your smugness won’t last. Just wait—I’ll make sure you’re humiliated in front of everyone before this morning is over."

Once they were out of Nathan’s sight, Samantha glanced back before muttering under her breath.

"Is there something wrong with Nathan’s brain? He’s lost to you countless times, yet he never learns. Maybe he actually enjoys being put in his place—some people just get bolder the harder they fall."

She shook her head. "After what happened last time, Prescott Industries lost billions in market value. If it hadn’t been for Nathan’s father and Alexander pulling some last-minute PR magic, they’d be in serious trouble by now."