Zac frowned slightly. "How?" he asked, though even as he spoke, a faint sense of foreboding had already crept into his heart. Zane hesitated, as if the words were difficult to voice. After a long pause, he finally said, "How about... we announce to the public that you are my adopted son? That way, whenever there's an important event I wish to take you to, you'll have a proper, legitimate identity." Adopted son?! The moment those words left Zane's mouth, Zac's expression darkened completely. He had been an adopted son for ten whole years already. Living in someone else's home and beneath someone else's roof! He had enough of that life! And now, even standing in front of his own biological father, he was expected to bear that title again? Without hesitation, Zac rejected him outright. "There's no need. I have no intention of being anyone's adopted son ever again." He was already following Solivair now, and his future was secure. Though his time with Solivair had not been long, the man had promised him that as long as he behaved and followed orders, Solivair would ensure he rose to prominence. There would be no place he could not go. No door that would not open for him. Yes, Zac longed for fatherly love, longed for recognition from this man before him. But after everything he had been through, he knew exactly what he wanted from life. And he would not, and he could not, trade away his future just for a fleeting warmth of emotion. To become Zane's adopted son would mean binding himself to Seacity. It would mean staying by Zane's side indefinitely. But what then? Especially with someone like Zoey still in the Yanbrough family. Zane, however, had not expected Zac to resist him so firmly on this point. After a moment of silence, he sighed in clear difficulty. "Then... what should I do?" His voice softened. "We've only just reunited as father and son. I can't bear to see you wandering out there all alone." Of course, he made no mention of the Tremo family. Right now, all that mattered was steadying his relationship with Zac. If he wanted to connect with the Tremo family, it could not come from him. It had to come from Zac. Only then could he guide him, bit by bit, down the path he wanted. Seeing Zane's troubled expression, Zac's heart softened again despite himself. Quickly, he replied, "I already have a place to stay. I'm not wandering anymore, so don't worry, Dad."This time, the word 'Dad' slipped from his lips far more naturally than before. Zane caught the subtle change of attitude in Zac, his worried gaze never leaving the boy. "You've found a place? Where are you staying? With the Tremo family?" At the mention of 'the Tremo family,' Zac's heart tensed instinctively. But soon after, he forced himself to relax. He had long known Zane had people watching him. It did not surprise him at all when he saw it was not Raelynn waiting in this hotel room, but Zane himself. After all, Zane had only asked to meet him because he'd found out about his connection to the Tremo family. After the candid conversation they had just shared, a small part of Zac was willing to believe, perhaps, Zane had also missed him, as a father would miss his son. Seeing Zac remain silent, Zane hurried to explain himself. "Oh, that... I've just been worried about you," he said awkwardly, like a father caught secretly doing something for his child. "You're still so young, out there on your own. I wasn't by your side to teach you, to protect you... I feel so guilty. I only wanted to do what little I could for you." Zac stared at him for a long moment. At last, he nodded. "Yes. I'm staying with the Tremo family." Hearing him admit it, Zane was inwardly delighted, but his expression remained carefully composed. Instead, he sighed with grave concern. "The Tremo family of Evergrand City... I've done my research before. Their patriarch is not a simple man." He looked at Zac, his expression darkening with genuine anxiety. "Solivair is cunning beyond measure. His schemes run deep. You're still young and inexperienced. I'm worried you'll suffer in his hands." Zac fell silent. His gaze bore into Zane, as if searching for any trace of ulterior motive or any flicker of emotion he did not want to see. But no matter how long he looked, he found nothing. On Zane's face and in his eyes, there was only the worry and earnest advice of a father deeply concerned for his son. Tentatively, Zac asked, "So Father doesn't want me to have any dealings with the Tremo family?" Unconsciously, he had changed his form of address. From the intimate 'Dad' to the more distant 'Father.' Zane noticed the shift at once but showed no reaction. His face remained filled with anxiety. "Solivair is a dangerous man," he said solemnly. "You are pure-hearted, still so young. My advice is, stay away from him." "If you want to make a name for yourself, I will help you." His voice was steady. His words carried weight. Zac stared at him for a long, long while before finally looking away. A bitter smile curved on his lips. "It's too late."