She quickly weighed her options. "I heard it from Jenna. Oh—right, Jenna is my cousin. She happens to work at Stratagem Tech." "Your cousin," Jethro mused. "She's quite different from you. Which side of the family is she from?" Annie tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "She's my mother's sister's daughter. My mother passed away long ago, but my aunt has always looked out for me." "Is that so? Such a close relationship, and you never mentioned her before?" Annie forced a smile. "I felt inferior around you back then. I didn't dare tell you about my poor relatives." Jethro was momentarily speechless. He hadn't expected that answer. In the six months they'd been together, he'd never sensed any inferiority complex in her. He blinked slowly, then asked another question. "Are there any other relatives on your father's side?" Annie's hand clenched the glass so hard her knuckles turned white. "No. My father had no siblings." Noticing her discomfort, Jethro didn't press further. He leaned back in his chair, adopting the posture of someone in authority. "There's no rush to give Grandpa an answer. Consider it carefully. If Jett enters the Blackwood family, it means you risk being separated from him. The benefit is you won't have to worry about his education or future." Annie frowned, her hands twisting nervously in her lap. "Jethro, I... couldn't I stay with Jett? To care for him?" Jethro's refusal was blunt. "No." "But he's so young. I'm afraid he won't adjust well to life in the Blackwood household." "You don't need to worry about that. There will be a professional team to handle the transition." "But I—""Enough questions," Jethro cut her off. "If you truly can't accept the terms, you can simply decline Grandpa's offer." He stood up, looking down at her with a warning in his eyes. "I don't want to see you at the Blackwood Group offices a third time." Annie visibly flinched. Jett had to be accepted by the Blackwoods. As for her— She could take it slow. As long as Jett was accepted by the Blackwoods, she, as his mother, would sooner or later earn her place in the Blackwood family too. With that thought, Annie's heart settled into a cold, determined calm. The afternoon sun was harsh. Holding her son's hand, Annie gazed with burning ambition at the towering Blackwood Group building. She leaned down and whispered to him with a smile, "Jett, one day, all of this will be yours."Jett couldn't see the appeal of these cold, steel-clad buildings. But Annie liked it, so he obediently nodded. "Okay." Annie pulled out her phone to call a ride. It rang just as she did. Assuming it was a delivery, she answered casually. "Hello? Just leave the package at the hotel front desk." Silence. Annie frowned. "Hello?" Still no sound. Puzzled, she was about to hang up when a low, chilling laugh came through the line. "Well, well, Annie. Heard you're back from abroad. Even gave the Blackwoods a son. Living the high life, aren't you? Perfect timing. Your uncle's a bit short on cash. How about you make good on that old promise?" Annie's eyes widened in shock. She froze on the spot. It took her several seconds to react and end the call. That voice. That accent... He's out? Her body swayed slightly. Despite the sweltering heat, a cold dread seeped down her spine. Jett tugged on her pinky finger. "Mommy, what's wrong?" Annie looked down at her son, drawing a strange strength from his presence. "Nothing, sweetie. We'll succeed." We'll succeed. It was the second time Jett had heard those words. He still didn't understand what "succeed" meant, but Annie liked it. He nodded silently. "Mm. We'll succeed." They left, unaware they had been observed from a corner. Rowan immediately pulled out his phone. "Mr. Blackwood, Ms. Roby just received a phone call, and her whole expression changed. "Understood. I know what to do." The news of Annie and the child's appearance at the Blackwood Group spread like wildfire. Within a day, everyone in the company knew. Photos of Jett were being shared in private group chats. The break room at Stratagem Tech buzzed with excited chatter. "Whoa, I thought it was just gossip, but it's actually true! I heard Mr. Blackwood came down to see them himself!" "I heard his ex is gorgeous. They were childhood sweethearts, grew up together." "Damn, that kid hit the genetic jackpot. Took all the best features. Look at those eyes, they're exactly like Mr. Blackwood's." "For real! If you cover the lower half of his face, he looks just like him. A mini-version!" A new hire, confused about which "Mr. Blackwood" they were referring to, assumed it was Jasper and chimed in, "You don't need to cover anything. Look at the nose, the mouth. He looks just like Mr. Blackwood." "Huh? Does he?"