Chapter 15 Dusk deepened. Lights turned on one by one at Octmond Villa . Chloe stepped out of the car, passed through the gate, and headed straight inside. Tristan sat sat on the bed, clutching sketches in his hands. His aged eyes were rimmed with red and glanced at the door from time to time. Finally, a figure walked in. She was too young, not even twenty. A wave of crushing disappointment washed over Tristan. He gave a self mocking smile. Mother died long ago. Seventy years have passed. What am I hoping for? In the end, everyone returns to dust. I'm seventy-eight this year, with not much time left. Mom will come for me soon, he thought . Chloe curved her lips. She had thought it would be hard to accept her baby boy turning into an old But when she was actually there, the natural bond between them made her chest surge with intense emotions. All those emotions turned into a gentle smile on her lips. She said, "Tris." Il me? Tristan trembled all over. He sat up straight abruptly, struggling to contain the tremor in his voice . "W-what did you call That's my childhood nickname. Since Mom died in the car accident, no one in the world has called me that again, he thought. "Tris," Chloe repeated, walking steadily towards the bed. "It's me. Your mother ." Michael's eyes widened. Did I just hear Mother? Whose mother? An eighteen-year-old girl? Mother to whom? His mind reeled with confusion. Chloe reached the bedside and sat down. She picked up one of the sketches. Tris, do you remember this dog's name?" Tristan, still reeling, managed to shift his gaze to the drawing of a playful puppy. Memories flashed back to over seventy years ago -that was his first dog , the one he never replaced. "Forgot?" Chloe said gently. "He was Apple. Covered in mud when we found him. You heated the water and bathed him yourself. "The moment he was clean , he disappeared. We searched everywhere and found him under an apple tree. So, you named him Apple. Remember how long Apple stayed with us?" "Five months. Less than half a year." Tristan's voice was hoarse. "Someone stole him. " Chloe picked up the next sketch. "You might have forgotten this scene. Your grandfather's birthday. So many kids came. They took the bullet casing that your dad gave you. " You fought all four of them alone. You lost. Sat there crying loudly, asking me, 'Mom, why didn't you give me brothers or sisters? Then someone would help me fight…" Tears suddenly streamed down Chloe's face. She reached out, touching his weathered cheek. "If I'd known you'd be left all alone in this. world. I would have had more children. Tris, leaving you so early. it must have been a lot for you ." Tristan's tears gushed out instantly. He didn't want to ask why and didn't want to think about how absurd this was. He only knew -his mother was back "Mom!" Tristan threw himself into Chloe's arms , tears unstoppable. Chloe wrapped her arms around him. patting his back with tenderness. "It's me. Mom's back. I won't leave you alone again . Never Tristan cried like a child, decades of loneliness pouring out Michael rubbed his eyes and blinked hard, but the scene remained the same. Tristan Rhodes Patriarch of the Rhodes family. Founder of Rhodes Group . A titan of industry whose mere displeasure could shake Erord City . Now, such a mighty Tristan sobbing uncontrollably in the arms of an eighteen-year-old girl, calling her "Mom" Michael couldn't believe Michael spun on his heel and slammed the door shut behind him. This impossible scene-he alatte would witness it. Michael pressed his fingers to his temples , drank water nonstop , and paced back and forth in the room. But Chloe and Tristan didn't notice him at all 1/2 P P Chapter 15 Tristan cried for about twenty minutes. Then he finally spoke up. "Mom, how? How is this possible?" That word-Mom-made Michael bury his face in his hands. He simply couldn't accept an eighty-year-old man calling a young girl "Mother" And with such utter conviction. Chloe said softly. That day, the car accident- As soon as the words "car accident" came out, Michael interrupted sharply. "Miss Lancaster! Grandpa is sensitive to these two words. Mind your words-" "What are you still doing here?" Tristan snapped, turning a fierce glare on Michael . "Don't interrupt our reunion. Out Michael was speechless. He desperately wanted to know what was happening, so he gritted his teeth and stayed silent. "After the car accident, Chloe continued, her voice calm and steady. "I thought I was dead. But I opened my eyes… seventy years later. In this different body. We are very lucky. Tris, to see each other again in this lifetime." Michael spoke slowly. You mean, a car accident transported you from the matriarch of the Rhodes family into Miss Lancaster's body?" Chloe nodded. "Basically, yes. "Don't you find that lie utterly absurd, Miss Lancaster?" Michael stood, radiating intimidating authority. He continued, "It defies science. And even if such a thing were possible, how do a few childish sketches prove you're the Rhodes matriarch?" Slap! Tristan slammed his hand onto the nightstand. Ilis face turned icy, his presence suddenly dwarfing Michael's. "This is your great- grandmother. Mind your tone!" Michael pressed his lips together. "She offers no proof- "Ridiculous!" Tristan barked, a humorless laugh escaping him. I said she's my mother. What proof is needed?" His anger pulled his mouth into a tight, forbidding line. Michael took a deep breath. 'Who is being ridiculous here?' he screamed inwardly. "Tris," Chloe chimed in gently, "no need for anger. Michael just isn't very bright. He's still young. He can be taught." Michael screamed inwardly. 'Not bright? I've been called a genius since birth! Universally acknowledged! And she, a barely literate dropout, dares say that ? e over. Michael had always been good at keeping his emotions in check, but right now, he was so furious that he felt like flipping the table Then he heard Tristan, the man who had always praised his intellect, agree. "He does seem a bit dim at times. What do you say, mom? How should he be taught ? " Chloe looked at Michael. "Call me ' Great-grandmother' first! Michael's jaw clenched. He believed in science. He refused to accept this madness. "Stubborn. Just like you were as a little boy," Chloe sighed, shaking her head. "Someone who isn't smart probably wouldn't have the ability to run the Rhodes Group." Chloe added, "Tris, do you truly believe he's the right man for the job? Michael was completely taken for a ride by Melanie and Rose, and Chloe always thought he was a bit lacking in sense E