Meanwhile, Rylie had nothing on her schedule. She rose early, skipped breakfast, and spent two hours in the manor gym doing cardio. After a shower and change of clothes, she strolled to the restaurant.

She ordered a cappuccino and croissants, settling at a table with a clear view of the mountains.

During her meal, Felix emailed her; Evergreen Media Works had finalized the business district’s brand ambassador. He attached the ambassador’s details and the district’s concept map.

Rylie arched an eyebrow and called him. “What’s the point of sending me this?”

“Grandpa plans to take back Detour Inc. and hand it to you,” Felix said. “But the company’s not what it used to be. The internal situation is messy. If you take over now, you’ll be an easy target.”

Rylie raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in her eyes. “So, are you saying this three-hundred-million-dollar project is a gift from you, just for me to sharpen my skills?”

Felix didn’t bother with pretense. “You can treat it as practice. Even if you fail, I’ll back you. Only by honing yourself will you keep those people at Detour Inc. from pushing you around.”

Rylie’s gaze softened. “Thank you, Felix. I only want to try my hand at managing this commercial district. As for Detour Inc., Terrance is already doing an excellent job. There’s no need for me to force my way in and stir up family conflict, is there?”

Felix considered her words and nodded. She was still young, brilliant, and a genius in her own right, but her true passion lay in medicine. If she had no interest in business, he would never compel her.

However…

“Grandpa is always stubborn when it comes to matters involving Detour Inc., since it was originally meant to be passed down to you by our parents.” Rylie’s movements stilled for a fraction of a second.

She knew almost nothing about her parents. There were no photographs in the house, no memorial to visit—nothing at all that could anchor their existence in her memory.

“I won’t put any pressure on you, Rylie,” Felix said gently. “As your brother, I only want to make it up to you, to make sure you’re always happy.”

Rylie lowered her gaze, fingers lacing together. Her voice was soft, but sincere. “Thank you, Felix.”

Felix was tied up with the demands of managing a vast family business, so after a few more words, he hurried off to his next meeting.

Rylie set down her phone, intending to finish her coffee, when a sudden commotion erupted from the kitchen.

She glanced over to find the plump, slightly unhinged woman from the night before, pushing past the kitchen staff’s attempts to restrain her. With a strange, childlike energy, the woman hopped and skipped out, singing out, “A huge bear! So much fur!”

She drifted aimlessly around the restaurant, and with Rylie being the only customer in the otherwise empty hall, her gaze quickly locked on her. The woman’s eyes lit up, and she cried out with delight, “Sweetheart!”

The moment she spotted Rylie, she bolted toward her, slipping past the grasp of the kitchen staff, who trailed after her in a panic. “Oh no! Lucilla, stop! That’s a customer, not your daughter!” one of them cried.

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