A ghost trying to scam you is best ignored.


    Driving to the office, M decided to treat her team to lunch as a farewell gesture.


    That evening, after gathering thest of her belongings from thepany, M stood before the towering skyscrapers, gazing out for a moment.


    She had devoted eleven years to masteringputer science, even pursuing a PhD for the sake of her then-partner, Lysander. Now, as she let it all go, she felt surprisingly at peace.


    After all, her life brimmed with endless possibilities.


    With a smile on her face, she turned decisively, ready to embrace new horizons.


    Jade had known about M''s resignation and had booked avish dinner at a hotel to celebrate the new chapter in her life.


    ...


    The dinner table was set for just the two of them-M and her great-aunt Jade- allowing for free-flowing conversation.


    They chatted about future ns before Jade shifted the focus to Adrian. "When are you going to bring my great-grandnephew over for a visit? It''s been seven years, and I haven''t even had the chance to hold him. He''s growing up so fast, and soon it''ll be hard to form a bond."


    Jade, unmarried and childless, cherished M as her own daughter, so naturally, she held M''s son dear to her heart.


    In the past, strained rtions meant she could hold back her longing. But now that they had reconciled, she was eager to embrace her great-grandnephew.


    M, however, found herself in a bind.


    Just yesterday, she had witnessed Adrian''s close interaction with Giselle, like mother and son. In recent years, he had grown distant from M, often impatient and unlistening.


    Even if she wanted to introduce him to Jade, convincing him toe was an uncertain task.


    The reality was tooplicated to exin, so M resorted to stalling once more. "He''s been busy with his studiestely, maybe after..."


    "What kind of studying leaves no time for a single meal?" Jade interrupted, skepticism lining her words.


    "With the New Year just ten days away, and since you n to spend it with me due to the divorce, Adrian might not be around. If I don''t see him now, the year will slip by, and I''ll be even busier then."


    Jade made up her mind. "Tomorrow. Whatever he''s studying can wait. Bring him out for dinner so I can see him."


    M sighed inwardly, knowing further excuses would only make Jade more suspicious. She reluctantly nodded in agreement.


    "Why don''t you move in with me?" Jade suggested.


    She knew M had rented a ce near her previous job for convenience. Now that M had quit, that apartment was unnecessary.


    M shook her head. "I''ll stay at Lillian''s Studio for now."


    Jade had visited the studio and frowned at the thought. "That ce is so remote and cramped. If you want privacy and don''t want to live with me, pick any of my other properties in Kingsford, or if you find a ce you like, I''ll buy it for you."


    M chuckled softly, "It''s not that. I have a lot of design drafts and important stuff there, and I''ve grown ustomed to working in that quiet space. When I decide to move, you''ll be the first to know, and I won''t hesitate to ask for your help!"


    "Alright then. Take a few days off, and I''ll take you to Splendid to get acquainted with the ce," Jade conceded.


    After dinner, M drove Jade back home, promising to bring Adrian for a visit amidst Jade''s repeated reminders. Then, M returned to her rented apartment to pack her belongings.


    Having quit her job, there was no need to stay close to the office anymore. She nned to move her things to the house near the hospital.


    During the drive, M mulled over how to broach the subject of dinner with Adrian. She felt reluctant to speak with him, even now.


    Halfway through her internal debate, she finally pulled over, took a deep breath, and dialed Adrian''s number.