She slowly sank to her knees, biting her hand to stifle a scream. Why? Why on earth would Jasper pay respects to that murderer, Joel?! Jasper sat in the car after coming down from the hill but didn't drive off immediately. He made a call. It was answered quickly by a woman's soft, alluring voice. The heaviness in his mood instantly lightened. A small smile touched his lips. "Annie, what are you doing?" The girl named Annie yawned. "Just woke up. Gonna make myself a proper breakfast in a bit." "Mm." Jasper waited, but she didn't ask. So he spoke up, "Annie, I went to the company this morning. This afternoon, I visited my father and Joel. I've been paying someone to keep his grave tidy. It looks good." A short silence on the other end. Her voice turned cold. "You don't have to do that. He got what he deserved." Jasper sighed, "Annie, don't say that. He was still your father. I know you say you hate him, but you miss him deep down. He was your only family." "Shut up! Stop it!" Annie's voice rose to a shriek, dissolving into sobs. "I don't miss him! I hate him! If it weren't for him, I wouldn't have been forced to— Ahh! It's all his fault!" "Annie..." Her reaction was more extreme than Jasper had anticipated, leaving him flustered. He gripped the phone tighter, his voice softening to a gentle murmur. "Okay, okay. I won't mention him. Please don't cry. It breaks my heart to hear you cry." Annie gradually calmed, her sobs subsiding. She sniffled. "D-did you see him? How is he? Is he okay?" She didn't say the name, but Jasper knew exactly who she meant.The air in the car seemed to freeze for a moment. Jasper's lips twisted in a bitter smile. "Yes. I saw him. He's doing well." A long pause followed before the woman on the other end replied, "Oh. That's good." Then, she hung up abruptly. Jasper stared at the dark phone screen, his gaze empty. He rolled down the window, letting the outside air wash over him. Only after taking a deep, heavy breath did the suffocating tightness in his chest begin to ease. Meanwhile, Cindy forced herself to compose her emotions and drove to meet Doris. She slid open the door of the private room. Doris was already seated inside. "Cindy! There you are. Come, sit!" Doris waved her over with a warm smile. Cindy set her bag down and sat beside her obediently. "Mrs. Knight.""Here, order whatever you like. My treat tonight." Cindy didn't stand on ceremony. She opened the menu, pointed out a few favorites, and Doris added a few more dishes before ringing the service bell and handing the menu to the server. A pot of water sat on the table. Doris poured a glass for Cindy, who felt a bit overwhelmed by the attentiveness. The excessive warmth gave Cindy a bad feeling. What does she want to talk about? Isn't this about Zephyrand me? Cindy's heart beat nervously, filled with unease. Doris lifted her glass and studied Cindy, and the more she looked, the heavier her heart got. Ah, if only Cindy and Zephyr could be a pair. But it seems they just don't have that spark. Soon, the food arrived. Doris piled food onto Cindy's plate as if she were her own daughter. "Eat up, dear. You're too thin. Work keeping you busy?" Cindy thanked her. "We've landed a few big projects recently. But we have a very capable colleague, so I'm not too swamped." Doris looked surprised. "A colleague? More capable than Zephyr?" Talking about her best friend, Cindy perked up. She briefly told Doris about Darcy's accomplishments since joining the company. Doris listened, wide-eyed, finally slapping her thigh in admiration. "That girl's a powerhouse! I thought your brother and Zephyr were at the top of the intelligence game, but there's always someone better. You must introduce her to me sometime. I never worked a day in my life—women like your mom? I admire them so much." After that, Doris leaned in and asked quietly, "I heard Jasper is back?" Cindy's eyelashes fluttered. "Yes." Curiosity slipped out of Doris' mouth. "Is he alone, or did his mom come with him?""Alone." "And he's here to..." Doris caught herself overstepping and added fast, "Don't read into it. I'm just curious. They had been gone so many years that everyone figured they'd never return. That's all." Cindy offered a practiced smile. "Grandpa's birthday is next month. He came back specifically for that." "Oh, I see. Jasper is a good boy." Cindy lowered her gaze. Jasper's return would inevitably spark speculation. But until his intentions were clear, she couldn't let unfounded rumors—even from someone as close as Doris—affect the Blackwood Group.