At the dinner table, the four of them sat quietly, but the three who received extra servings from Anya knew exactly whom she was trying to impress.

Mr. Calder broke the silence, "Anya, after dinner, could you head upstairs and pack your bags?"

Before Anya could protest, Mrs. Calder jumped in, "I'll help you, honey."

Just as Anya was about to refuse again, Leo added, "You do have a lot of stuff; it really needs organizing."

"Alright then," Anya conceded.

After dinner, Anya couldn't shake off her worry about her father. After all, Chad had nearly given up on his computer science dreams to take over the family business because of him.

Mrs. Calder led her daughter to her spotless, princess-themed bedroom, which was bigger than two rooms at the Cedillo family's place. Even the door to her walk-in closet was an elegant, creamy white with an arched design.

Anya knew her father wanted to get her out of the way so he could have a chat with Leo.

Sitting on the bed, Mrs. Calder sighed, "It's hard to keep a grown daughter at home."

"I can stay. But, Mom, Chad has been really good to me."

Downstairs, after lunch, Mr. Calder stood up, "Leo, let's take a walk."

used to envy the shaded avenues in other towns. She'd walk there and never want to come home. So, her mother and I spent three years creating this corridor for her, with tall trees on both sides, to keep her from envying those elsewhere. We even brought her a forest full of squirrels and allowed her to build treehouses since chopping down trees randomly is illegal here. When no one else could play with her, we would. She used to struggle climbing trees because she was a bit

they strolled and chatted, they eventually left

Leo sat down in a gazebo. Leo understood; Anya was their beloved daughter, pampered from a young age, with every wish fulfilled, given the best of

Anya's carefree and innocent nature continues even after marriage. I don't want

"Mr. Calder, I understand everything you've said, and I've thought about it too. If I ever fail, I'd feel I've let Anya down

today to ask about your plans for the future and what

Inside, Anya anxiously asked her mother, "Mom, what is

sitting on the sofa flipping through a magazine while pretending to help her daughter pack,

not in the mood for dresses and unable to see Leo from the window, sat beside

broad plan but didn't go into details. Mr. Calder, still seeing potential in Leo, asked, "If I were to give you a failing company and a million dollars in startup capital, could you turn

promised my uncle I wouldn't accept help from family or friends. I appreciate

at Leo's determined gaze, wished him luck, "Then, I wish you the best of luck and look forward to hearing about your

while longer, they

downstairs, prompting Mrs. Calder

Chad, what did you guys talk

to

"I lost weight

"It's getting late, and Leo has work tomorrow, plus a

he had to go, "Alright then, Chad, let me walk you

aren't. Mia is brave but fears ice skating for a reason. And don't forget your computer science studies; exams are coming up." Anya obediently nodded, then suddenly asked Leo, "Hey Chad, why are the documents and Excel files you sent me different from the teacher's? They can

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