Atlas stood before the floor-to-ceiling glass of his office, staring at the bright and overly crowded city. His hands were shoved in his pockets as he stood deep in thought.
His assistant, Allen, stood a few steps away, near the desk.
"Sir." Allen’s solemn voice finally broke the silence.
"Is that all?" Atlas’s voice was low, though not as flat as usual. Even Allen couldn’t tell what was going through his boss’s mind.
"Yes," Allen nodded. "That’s all... for now, sir. It appears parts of the last five years of her life were meticulously erased."
Atlas didn’t respond. Allen couldn’t help but study his boss’s figure, curious about his thoughts. Even after all these years of working for him, there were still things Allen wasn’t sure of.
A shallow breath escaped Allen’s nostrils as his eyes drifted to the desk. On it were the DNA results for Lola and the twins. They had run every possible test just to be sure.
But alas...
She’s not related to the twins, he thought, shaking his head slightly.
All the tests came back [NEGATIVE]. Lola and the twins were not related.
After a while, Atlas turned on his heel and sauntered toward the desk. He didn’t pick up the documents. He hadn’t even looked at them.
"Sir, aren’t you going to check the results?" Allen asked curiously, watching his boss settle into the swivel chair.
"You already told me the result," Atlas replied, picking up his pen to resume his work. "Why would I waste my time on them?"
Allen pressed his lips together and sighed. "But that means the twins’ mother’s identity..."
"Allen." Atlas’s calm voice cut him off. "Take these papers and burn them. They’re tampered with."
"Tampered?" Allen’s brows furrowed. "Sir, I sent the samples to the island myself. There’s no way someone could tamper with all of them."
Atlas didn’t respond further. He simply refocused on the files before him—the last batch he had to work on at Summit Partners before their departure. After all, they weren’t supposed to be here at all.
But instead of ordering his assistant to prepare for their departure, Atlas was telling him to just burn these "tampered" results?
"With all due respect, I know the Young Miss and Young Master adore Miss Young," Allen continued, polite but firm. "And you’re rarely wrong. However, these results came from your own territory..."
Allen’s words faded as his boss glanced up. Studying the look on Atlas’s face, his brows knitted.
"Sir," Allen narrowed his eyes. "Don’t tell me you asked for the test... not to see the result."
"I wanted to see the result," Atlas clarified, returning his attention to the document. "Because the result would tell me... if someone’s been testing the water. I got my answer."
Allen straightened his back in disbelief. "You don’t think—"
"I’m not going back to the island for now," Atlas continued, indifferent. "Lola’s already on their radar."
Allen didn’t answer, but his gaze never left Atlas. "I understand. Should I plant more people in Miss Lola’s shadow?"
"Slater’s with her, but..." Atlas paused, deep in thought. "I’ll need Yuri in Novera."
"Then I’ll have to drag her here myself." Allen lowered his head without refuting. He said nothing more and quietly turned, leaving Atlas alone.
****
As Allen closed the door, Atlas paused, glancing at the shut door. He let out a shallow breath as he leaned back, opened a drawer, and pulled out a spare phone. He speed-dialed someone, listening to it ring.
Normally, his calls would get picked up before the first ring ended. But this time, he waited until the last ring before it finally connected.
"First Bro—"
"I’m interested in the next system program you’ve been developing," Atlas cut her off, his voice calm yet sharp. "Send me the prototype as soon as possible."
"But there’s already a bid—"
"Name your price."
"..."
"I’ll send you a check. It’ll be there by the end of the day."
The person on the other end frowned, and he could just imagine her expression.
"First Brother, if you really want it, send that check and another thing—for the love of me, just get married!"
Atlas cocked his head to the side, and his silence made the other person on the line raise her brows.
"Wha—what?" she asked, her voice slightly nervous. "What’s with the silence? You usually say no before I can even beg you. Everyone’s begging you, but—"
"Next year—max." Much to her surprise, Atlas suddenly spoke with certainty. "You can start preparing for your wedding. Send me the prototype. I’ll need it, Penny."
*****
Hours later...
"Dang... how can you be this busy?" Slater looked at the driver’s seat in horror. "We’ve been out and about the whole day, and you’re not done yet?!"
Picking up Cedrick and dropping him off was just the beginning of this long journey with Lola. Slater expected her to finish in the afternoon, but they were still heading to another location for another site visit.
"This is worse than my schedule," he lamented, melting into his seat and looking at her bitterly. "Just take me back!"
Lola bit her tongue to keep from laughing. Some of the locations they’d visited weren’t on her schedule, but she decided to do them all at once since she needed to go to them, anyway. Besides, she wanted Slater to remember this so he wouldn’t tag along with her anymore.
For a while, they traveled in silence, with Lola ignoring her lamenting passenger.
"Oh, my heavens," Slater sighed. "This is what happens to old people who have yet to find love!"
He shot her a look. "Your singlehood isn’t healthy anymore. Just marry my First Brother, and he’ll resolve everything for you."
She ignored him again. This wasn’t the first time he’d mentioned this today. But now, it tickled her curiosity.
"I already talked about this with your brother," she said, casting him a sidelong glance. "Though I’m seriously curious now. Why do you want me to marry him?"
"Not just me, but everyone who knows him just wants him to get married."
"And why is that?"
"Because everyone just wants their own wedding, and they can’t!"