For the nth time that hour, Cassidy can't help but heave a sigh, not understanding what's up with Adrian all of the sudden.

Apparently, a moment after confessing to her right in the middle of the crowd near the entrance of the bar and casino, he began acting more on guard. This time, she isn't sure if this is still only about her appearance. Most probably, his attentiveness right now had something to do with the messages he received from Charles earlier.

​​

"You know, your nephews are not gonna be happy with this. I have to come with them to that ice cream parlor," Cassidy commented at how he got stricter - though she kept it cool since she had a feeling that this was a serious matter.

"I already told Edward that he should not allow them to go outside as well. Charles had relayed a very important message. We would have to wait for him and Ray to arrive..." Adrian trailed off with a gravelly serious yet calm tone.

"I also need all the bodyguards close by."

"Really, what's going on here, bossman?"

"I'm not sure myself."

In the end, she just admitted defeat and chose to wait.

Still, instead of going in, she decided to stay near the entrance out of consideration for her nephews. They were in the middle of talking with their father at the moment. Their other companions already went ahead inside some time ago, leaving the six of them behind there.

"I still want ice cream, though. Too bad," Cassidy sighed as she sat on one of the seats at the corner.

"I'll ask Seven to buy what you want instead. I really can't afford to let you out of my sight right now," Adrian muttered apologetically while he bent on his knees right in front of her and looked up to her.

"No, that is not what I mean. I understand the situation, and I'm not taking this whole assassination thing lightly. The least I can do is follow what Ray is telling us. I really appreciate everyone's efforts as well."

"That's good to hear. I don't know what I will do if you throw a tantrum again-"

"Hey, I'm not that childish!"

"Should I not ask Seven anymore, then?"

"W-Well, uhhh... No... That's not what I mean too."

Seeing her avert her eyes and fidget like some little girl, Adrian can't help but laugh a bit. Cassidy furrows her brows and huffs at how he seems to be using ice cream as her weakness. All the while, he only continues watching her with amusement before he eventually stands up again and pats her head affectionately.

"Is it strawberry you want?" he asked with a fond smile, making her look up to him in surprise.

"Uhhh... Yeah. Strawberry," she replied a bit meekly, not expecting that he recalled her favorite flavor.

"I can also get Seven to send us a picture of the parlor's menu. That way, you can choose more-"

"Uncle Bossman..." Damien then suddenly called from behind him with an aloof expression, stealing their attention.

"I want some mint chocolate chip sundae with kisses as its toppings and another chocolate chip cookie dough with dark chocolate syrup and some sprinkles of nips."

"Umm... So, chocolate?" his uncle blurted out, a little dumbfounded by such a long order.

"That's not just chocolate, Uncle."

Adrian is really starting to get an impression that he has rubbed Damien off in some way.

For unknown reasons, he began behaving like this insatiable, demanding guy who would tend to look at him as if he had a dirt on him. Rather than peeved, he is baffled above anything. It also doesn't seem like he's going to get an explanation for this any time soon.

"So, we really can't go, huh?" Joshua chimed in, joining the three along with his father and brother.

"It's fine with me! Daddy said that this is for Aunty's sake, so I ain't gonna go," Hugo chirped before rushing to his aunt and hugging her waist, much to her relief.

"Thank you for understanding, Hugo. I promise I'll make it up to the three of you next time," Cassidy assured him while gently stroking his hair.

"Alrighty~! I'll look forward to that!"

"For now, you can have your uncle order ice cream for you."

For a while, they all stay at the lounge near the entrance of the bar and casino, keeping each other company and waiting for Seven to get them their ice creams.

Cassidy did tell both Adrian and Edward that they could join the adults if they'd like. She chose to spend time with the children since she's the one they're after and she didn't really find the place interesting. However, both men refused the idea and decided to remain with them.

At one point while they were waiting, Cassidy went out to a nearby balcony and took a breather for a bit, feeling like she could use some fresh evening air to ease her troubles about Charles and Ray's impending arrival.

"I wonder what happened..." she mumbled to herself as she leaned towards the handrails and lifted her head up to behold the night sky.

"Hmmmm...? The stars aren't out yet? It seems pretty cloudy too."

"Cassidy? So, this is where you went."

Hearing that all-too-familiar voice, Cassidy turns around and finds Edward joining her on the balcony.

He is smiling at her as he walks closer and stands beside her. She only looks at him in confusion, wondering why he has followed after her. This can also mean that he has left his sons with his brother back at the lounge.

"They all marched their way to the comfort room, and I was the one who got left behind actually," Edward pointed out as if he just read her thoughts through her puzzled expression alone.

"Oh, I see...!" Cassidy replied with a small smile before staring back at the scenery in front of them.

"They're really close, huh? Even going to the comfort room together. How cute~"

"Who? Adrian?"

"The kids, of course! That big meanie can never be cute!"

At that, he chuckles mirthfully.

He then follows her line of vision and lays his eyes on the ocean from a distance. Though a little far, they can still see its shimmering, bluish-white surface that holds a kind of compelling luster that soothes and draws them in.

"Adrian can be cute at times, you know. Just like what he did with you beside the entrance earlier. He looks all cuddly and gooey-eyed and sweet-"

"Huh?! H-How did you see that?!" Cassidy cut him off in evident nonplus, blushing a little in embarrassment.

"Many others saw that. Not just me. You two are not really being subtle about it. Now, I can clearly see how things reversed between the two of you, though I still can't completely comprehend the whole story," Edward remarked with a shrug.

"Look, we're not in that kind of relationship, okay? I don't see him that way anymore, and I don't think I'll be able to any time soon. He's just doing whatever he wants."

"Well, I must say, though... I do sense that he's starting to act like how he used to way back before - doing what he wants, that is."

"What're you talking about? He's always like that."

"He may look like he's more than capable of doing anything he wants, but being the head of our family business is more than the posh life. Even though we're all here for him, he likes carrying the burdens on his own. He lived like his work was the only thing he had left in life. In reality, he is still our little brother."

That's when Cassidy turned to look at Edward, curiosity filling her gaze. He only smiles at her again before continuing to stare ahead. A look of reminiscing flashes through his distant expression right then.

"You know why Adrian was chosen to succeed our father instead of me, the eldest child...?" he trailed off with a solemn tone, making her eyes widen for a bit.

"The thing is, he resembles our grandfather in many ways, especially in terms of his competence and abilities. When he was still a teen, he used to spend a lot of time with him. Under his guidance, he began training and studying how to run the business at such a young age. However, all these only became possible after one certain incident."

"What incident?" she asked, interest completely piqued.

"This might end up to be both surprising and perplexing to you, but... Well, to cut the long story short, Adrian managed to wipe out a number of corrupt officials in the corporation, involving those who were secretly committing crimes and illicit activities. The most astounding part in here is that he's able to make such a remarkable accomplishment only at the age of seventeen. That's when our grandfather knew that he was the one who should succeed our father."

"The heck?! Seventeen you say?!"

Of course, Cassidy could not help but feel astonished by that revelation, especially since all she really did at that age was picking fights with gangsters in the street and messing around.