?


    After chatting a bit more, Jane quickly hung up to get back to work.


    In the evening....


    Shortly after N and Damon returned to the vi, the doorbell rang.


    Gabriel arrived with a bunch of gifts, bringing Wilhelm along to apologize.


    Since N was already aware of the situation from the afternoon, she had instructed the maid to let them in.


    As the maid weed them, N was ying with Mason, building blocks scattered around.


    "Ms. Kinsey, Mr. Gabriel and Mr. Wilhelm have arrived," the maid announced.


    N looked up, instinctively tensing when she made eye contact with Gabriel. His reckless behavior from five years ago was still fresh in her mind. Even after all this time, being near him still sent chills down her spine.


    She turned to the maid and said, "Call Damon out."


    "Sure," the maid replied.


    Gabriel set down the gifts and looked at N with warmth in his eyes. "N, it''s been a while. I didn''t get a chance to greet you at the party. You''re not upset with me, are you?"


    N''s expression remained indifferent. "Mr. Hackett, we haven''t had anything to do with each other for a long time. There''s no need for pleasantries."


    If he and Wilhelm weren''t here to apologize to Mason, she wouldn''t have let them in at all.


    Noticing her coldness, Gabriel shrugged it off and continued. "You''ve changed a lot over the past five years."


    N frowned, about to respond, when she heard footsteps approaching. She turned to see Damon striding toward her and Mason.


    She smiled, feeling more at ease. "You''re here."


    Damon reached her side and noticed her bare feet. He furrowed his brows slightly, then scooped her up and set her on the sofa. "Didn''t I tell you to wear slippers?"


    N, feeling a bit guilty, avoided his gaze. "The underfloor heating makes it warm. I don''t feel cold."


    "By the time you feel cold, you''ll already have a cold," Damon chided gently.


    He picked up a pair of fluffy slippers


    from beside the sofa and helped her


    put them on before turning to. Gabriel. "Mr. Hackett, I understand you''re here to apologize today?"


    Swng


    Facing Damon''s icy stare, Gabriel unclenched his hands and smiled. "Yes, we''re aware of the situation regarding Wilhelm''s behavior. Both his mother and I feel sorry about him lying, so we brought him here to apologize to Mason."


    With that, he patted Wilhelm''s back and softly encouraged, "Wil, why don''t you go ahead and apologize?"


    Wilhelm looked at Mason and offered an earnest apology, just as Gabriel had coached him on the way over.


    Gabriel was pleasantly surprised by Wilhelm''s cooperation. Was the kid having a change of heart today?


    Damon hadn''t nned on getting


    into a conflict with a child, so he simply remarked, "Mr. Hackett, your gaming business is booming these days, but you should also pay


    attention to your child''s Pau


    They say if a child isn''t taught well, it reflects on the father. It might be better if you spent more time with your family."


    Gabriel smiled, though his eyes held no warmth. "You''re right, Mr. Sumner. I appreciate the reminder."


    "Then, I won''t keep you for dinner," Damon said.


    "Alright, goodbye, Mr. Sumner," Gabriel replied.


    He then turned to N, his voice gentle. "N, it''s been so long since we''ve seen each other. We should have dinner sometime when you''re free."