Chapter 697

Night settled slowly over the skies of Hong Kong as Cale’s car passed through the main gates of the Miller mansion.

The garden lights glowed in neat rows, casting golden reflections across the stone path still damp from the afternoon rain.

A long day of work had not managed to erase the tension from his shoulders, but the moment he saw the house standing calmly before him, his steps slowed slightly.

“Welcome home, Mr. Miller,” several servants greeted as they received him.

Cale only nodded in response.

He entered the main hall while removing his suit jacket. A staff member swiftly took his coat and work bag.

From the family room came the sound of children’s laughter that had not yet left the house, mixed with Lydia’s voice scolding someone in a tone that was half amused.

So they had delayed their departure.

Cale paused for a moment.

This house had become far noisier since Althea’s family arrived.

And strangely enough, he did not mind it.

Not at all.

In fact, he had already asked Daven to arrange separate times for future visits to his home, and Daven had not minded setting

aside some time.

Liu was already waiting in the private study with a tablet and several files laid neatly on the desk. As always, the man stood straight as if he had never known fatigue.

“Good evening, sir.”

“Where is my wife?”

Liu held back a faint smile. “In the family room. Miss Grace refuses to leave until Mrs. Lydia reads her a story.”

Cale unfastened his cufflinks. “And Lydia agreed?”

“She had no choice.”

Cale laughed softly. “Lydia and Grace really are close.” He sat in the large desk chair and looked at Liu. “How was their day?”

Liu immediately slid the tablet toward him. “Disneyland went smoothly. The cleared routes followed your instructions. There were no incidents, and we found no suspicious traces. The children were very satisfied. Mrs. Lydia seemed happy.”

“And Naomi?”

Liu opened several photographs from the security documentation.

On the screen, Josh was laughing while holding a balloon. Grace was hugging a new doll. Althea was rolling her eyes at Chris.

Then several photos of Naomi appeared.

Naomi standing before the castle with an expression of disbelief.

Naomi laughing on the water ride.

Naomi sitting beside Lydia with an ice cream in hand.

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Naomi watching the parade with a softer face than usual.

Cale was silent a little too long.

Liu noticed, then changed to a close–up photo taken from a distance.

“She really looks like her mother.”

Cale’s gaze did not leave the screen.

“Mrs. Meylani,” Liu continued quietly. “You were right. Naomi resembles her greatly, especially when she smiles without realizing it.”

The room fell silent for several seconds.

“I still remember that woman always bringing cakes whenever she came to the old Chen family house,” Liu said. “She never arrived empty–handed. And she always scolded anyone who made the house too tense.”

“She was the only guest who ever dared to scold my adoptive father,” Cale said, his emotions difficult to name.

Liu nodded. “Mr. Chen cared deeply for Mrs. Meylani.”

Cale shut off the tablet screen at once. His eyes closed tightly, unwilling to let himself sink too deeply into memories that were

beautiful and painful in equal measure.

“Enough nostalgia for one night.”

“Yes, sir.”

But Liu did not leave.

Instead, he took out another folder and placed it on the desk.

“The organization’s major meeting is in two nights.”

Cale looked at him. “I know.”

“All branches have confirmed their attendance. The old representatives will be coming as well. I believe this meeting is drawing a great deal of attention.”

“Good.”

Liu inhaled quietly. “It feels like the right time for you to announce what has been found.”

Cale’s gaze sharpened.

Liu continued in a lowered voice.

“The true heir of the Black Dragon Clan. Chen Naomi.”

That name made Cale stare at him in silence.