The next day, Xavier Fostern personally drove Cecilia to the airport.

Third Brother was at the wheel, while Xavier Fostern accompanied Cecilia. Right before they set off, he called Mia Moore.

“Wuwu, Cecilia, I wish I could go too! I’ll watch your livestream once you’re there.”

Mia Moore had received the invitation as well, but she was already nine months pregnant—travel was out of the question.

“It’s alright, just rest up at home and take care of yourself. There’ll be plenty more chances in the future.”

“Mm, I want—”

Mia Moore sipped on the strawberry-flavored milk tea Charles Chase made for her, cradling her belly while basking in the sun on the little balcony.

“I know, I know! I’ll buy all the bags you like and bring them back for you. I’ve already told Third Brother what you want.”

“Hehe, mwah mwah mwah, love you, love you, love you!”

Although Charles Chase would have bought her anything she wanted, there was a special kind of joy in having your friend shop for you.

“Alright, I’m hanging up now—we’re at the airport.”

“Okay, bye-bye! Stay safe.”

After hanging up with Mia Moore, they all got out of the car. Third Brother went to check in their luggage.

Cecilia and Xavier Fostern stood together outside security. He wrapped his arm around her slim waist, wearing a glum expression.

Don’t ask—his wife was heading out on a business trip alone.

He was frustrated.

Really frustrated.

Since the day they’d met, the two of them had never been apart for so long. And flying to Country Y would take a full nine hours.

The thought of her being so far away, of something happening and him not there... it gnawed at Xavier Fostern.

He frowned. “Baby, why don’t I just come with you?”

Cecilia pinched his cheek. “No way! You’ve been so busy lately. If you leave, Gege will have to take care of Yao Yao by himself—he can’t manage alone.”

“Besides, this project is really important to your company. You all poured so much effort into it.”

Xavier Fostern shook his head. “Nothing’s more important than you.”

Fu Corporation dabbled in many industries, but its headquarters mainly specialized in cybersecurity.

It was the industry leader in Newbridge, and even all of China.

These past few months, their entire team had been upgrading a state-of-the-art system.

Cecilia tiptoed up and kissed him. “I’ll take good care of myself. I’m only gone a few days, okay?”

“Fine, but promise me you’ll call every day. Tell me if anything’s wrong. And don’t let Third Brother stray too far from you. I’ve upgraded your hotel room, so if you feel uncomfortable at all, let me know…”

Xavier Fostern rattled off instructions, still uneasy no matter how much he prepared.

“Alright, alright, got it.”

He’d repeated this routine countless times, and Cecilia answered each time with the same patience—because she knew how worried he was.

He might be president of a massive conglomerate, but when it came to her, he remembered even the smallest things.

Cecilia’s heart turned soft. Alright then, she’d forgive his overzealousness from last night—for now.

The two of them—him tall and handsome, her gentle and delicate—stood nestled together in the bustling airport, drawing curious and envious glances.

When Third Brother returned, it was almost time for security. Cecilia and Xavier Fostern exchanged a deep, lingering kiss. With great reluctance, he let her go.

“Call me when you land.”

“Mm, you should head back. Drive safe.”

“I’ll watch until you’re out of sight.”

Watching her petite figure disappear through security, Xavier Fostern let out a long sigh and craned his neck for a last glimpse. Only when he was sure she was gone did he finally turn away.

Third Brother followed behind Cecilia, rubbing his nose.

Tsk, why does the boss act like my mom did when she dropped me at kindergarten as a kid? What’s next, is he going to secretly wipe away tears?

...

The object of Third Brother’s ridicule drove back to the office and suddenly sneezed.

Henry Hart just happened to catch him. “Welcome back, President.”

“Hmm.”

“Is something up?”

“The rollout of the GM system has made the companies we replaced rather unhappy.”

“Heh, let them be unhappy. We invested so much capital and manpower into this—if they can’t compete, that’s on them.”

The new security system’s implementation meant most companies, institutions, even state networks, would be updated. Naturally, the enterprises it replaced weren’t pleased.

“Just keep an eye on things.”

In business, as in war, only the victor stands tall.

And not everyone takes defeat gracefully—there would be no shortage of grudges.

Xavier Fostern gave a cold, indifferent smirk.

As long as they were in Newbridge, those bitter losers couldn’t stir up any trouble.

——

Elsewhere, Charles Chase answered his phone.

He’d been home with his wife these past few weeks, not planning on going out. It suited him just fine.

The rocking chair sat on the balcony, and Mia Moore, sunning herself, had drifted off to sleep.

Charles Chase hung up, bent down, and scooped her into his arms.

“Mmm, hubby…”

Half-awake, Mia Moore instinctively cradled her belly, protecting the baby.

“Go ahead and sleep. I’ll carry you to bed.”

“Mmm…”

She mumbled a reply and peacefully closed her eyes.

——

Nine hours on a plane actually wasn’t that bad.

First class was comfortable; Cecilia slept for a while, read a book, and just like that, they arrived in Country Y.

It was only 10 in the morning there—perfectly coinciding with 7 p.m. in Newbridge.

Third Brother went to fetch the luggage while Cecilia called Xavier Fostern the moment she was able.

It was as if he’d been waiting for her call—he answered after only one ring.

“Baby.”

“Mm, Zhiyen, I’m here. Just got off the plane.”

“Are you feeling alright? Tired?”

“Not tired at all! I slept most of the way. Did you head home yet?”

Standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, Cecilia—an elegant Asian woman—instantly caught the eyes of several men nearby.

She tucked her hair behind her ear, gazing at the vividly blue sky outside.

Because of the temperature difference, she’d pulled on a jacket over her dress, giving her a laid-back, graceful charm.

“No, spent the night in the office. With you gone, I can’t bring myself to go home.”

“Mmm, I’ll be back soon! It’s probably dinner time there, right? Go eat something. I’ll call you from the hotel.”

Xavier Fostern closed his laptop. If his wife said it was dinner time, then he’d go eat.

“Alright.”

Third Brother quickly returned with the bags and arranged for their ride to the hotel. The Arts Association had reserved rooms for special guests: a five-star hotel in the heart of the city.

Xavier Fostern had already upgraded her to the very best suite, and Third Brother’s room was right next door.

“Madam, if you need to go out or need anything, just call me—I’ll be next door, phone on twenty-four hours a day.”

“Thanks, I’m alright today. You should rest and adjust to the time difference, too.”

Cecilia smiled warmly before entering her room and gently closing the door.

Wuwuwu, Madam is so nice! The CEO really is blessed beyond measure!

...