The following morning, Ares and Lara left the manor before sunrise, bringing Shay with them.

The little girl sat between them in the backseat, clutching her stuffed rabbit that Asher gifted her, while sleepily staring out the car window. Every now and then, she would excitedly point at something outside, making Lara smile softly. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

Ares watched the interaction quietly.

For someone who had once believed children were troublesome, he found himself unexpectedly patient with Shay.

More than that... he was protective.

Since Shay disliked Sunshine Academy, Ares decided to personally find a school where she would feel safe and happy. He refused to entrust something this important to anyone else, not even Shay’s biological parents.

They visited several prestigious academies that morning, each more expensive and exclusive than the last.

But Shay hated all of them.

One school felt "too cold."

Another had "scary teachers."

And one made her cling tightly to Lara’s hand before whispering that the other children looked "mean."

Ares rejected every single one without hesitation.

Until they arrived at a small preschool tucked along a quiet tree-lined street.

The Sprouts Academy.

Unlike the grand campuses they had visited earlier, the school looked warm and inviting. Sunflowers lined the pathways, colorful drawings decorated the walls, and laughter echoed from the open playground.

It felt... alive.

The teachers greeted Shay gently instead of overwhelming her, kneeling to her height as they spoke to her with genuine patience.

One of the classrooms even had a reading corner filled with plush toys and tiny beanbags.

Shay’s eyes lit up immediately.

"She likes this place," Lara whispered softly.

Ares noticed it too.

For the first time that day, Shay loosened her grip on Lara’s hand and wandered curiously on her own.

The principal explained that The Sprouts Academy focused not only on academics, but also on emotional development and social behavior. The school was especially known for its strict anti-bullying policies and nurturing environment.

Ares listened carefully to every detail.

By the time Shay happily announced that she wanted to stay and play with the other children, Ares had already made his decision.

"This one," he said simply.

He settled Shay’s tuition fee in full without even glancing at the amount on the check.

Before Lara could object, he also reserved another slot.

"For Sandro," Ares said calmly.

Lara blinked in surprise. "Ares, you don’t have to—"

"I know."

His tone was casual, but final.

The administrator smiled warmly as the paperwork was prepared, while Lara stood there momentarily speechless.

Ares had not only enrolled Shay.

He had already considered who would make her feel secure.

A strange warmth spread through Lara’s chest at the realization.

Once the arrangements were finalized, Ares turned toward her.

"It would be better if Sandro accompanies Shay," he said matter-of-factly. "She’s already comfortable with him."

Then the corner of his lips lifted faintly.

"And with Sandro’s skills, no one in that school would dare bully her."

Lara almost laughed.

Almost.

Because she knew Ares was not exaggerating.

Sandro might look quiet and harmless, but the boy had reflexes and instincts sharper than most trained adults. Anyone foolish enough to target Shay would likely regret it very quickly.

Still, hearing Ares speak so naturally about protecting Shay stirred something deep inside Lara.

He was treating Shay as though she truly belonged to him.

As though caring for her had already become part of him, not out of obligation nor for appearances, but instinctively.

...

Meanwhile, back at the manor, Moira woke up late.

The moment she learned that Ares, Lara, and Shay had gone out to search for another school, her expression darkened instantly.

She stormed into the dining room where Asher was leisurely drinking coffee as though nothing was wrong.

"Asher," she snapped, tapping her manicured nails sharply against the edge of the dining table, "why is Ares still looking for another school for Shay?"

Asher barely glanced at her.

"Didn’t we already settle this?" Moira continued angrily. "We enrolled her in Sunshine Academy. We already paid the full tuition."

"She didn’t like the school," Asher replied lazily before taking another sip of coffee. "It’s as simple as that."

Moira’s irritation deepened at his indifferent tone.

"How can you be so unconcerned?" she demanded. "Shay is your biological daughter!"

A shadow flickered across Asher’s face before he let out a mocking sneer.

"Biological?" he repeated coldly. "Did you forget whose name is written on her birth certificate?"

Moira stiffened.

"As far as the law is concerned," Asher continued, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "Ares is Shay’s father."

He set his cup down with a soft clink.

"My brother has every legal right over her."

"But—"

"That’s enough, Moira."

The warning in Asher’s voice instantly turned the atmosphere heavy. For the first time that morning, he looked directly at her. And there was nothing gentle in his eyes.

"Stop causing unnecessary trouble."

Moira clenched her fists tightly. Her anger had already been simmering for days, but now it finally erupted.

"You really are pathetic," she spat bitterly. "Spineless. Cowardly."

Asher’s expression darkened.

"You have no ambition at all," Moira continued viciously. "Are you truly content spending your entire life hiding behind your brother’s shadow?"

The dining room fell into a dangerous silence.

And slowly, the amusement disappeared from Asher’s face.

...

The servants standing around the dining room lowered their heads in silence, hardly daring to breathe.

Everyone in the manor knew one thing for certain—

Moira Torres had an extraordinary talent for provoking disaster.

Every word that came out of her mouth seemed carefully designed to ignite tempers and push people past their limits.

Several of the maids secretly glanced at Asher, their hearts tightening nervously.

If it had been anyone else standing in his place, the confrontation would have already exploded into chaos.

Moira’s words were not merely insulting.

They were humiliating.

Cruel.

Deliberately aimed at a man’s pride.

Yet Asher remained seated, his expression frighteningly calm as he stared at her.

Only the slight tightening of his jaw betrayed the anger simmering beneath the surface.

One of the older servants silently marveled at his restraint.

If Asher possessed even a little less self-control, he might have slapped Moira a hundred times over by now.