<h4>Chapter 80: The Perfect Family</h4>


    After Annie stormed out, Duncan refilled his ss of wine, letting the bitterness linger on his tongue as he picked up his phone to call his assistant, Orson.


    [Yes, boss?] Orson answered promptly with a professional tone yet familiar.


    "How’s the retraction of the death certificateing along?" Duncan asked sharply and to the point.


    [I filed it today,] Orson replied. [The registry said that since we’ve submitted all the necessary documents, it should take effect next week. That’s the fastest they can process it.]


    Duncan nodded to himself, swirling the wine in his ss. "Alright, that’ll do. There are other matters I need to handle in the meantime. Contact Atty. Evans and start drafting an agreement with Annie’s family."


    [An agreement, sir?] Orson echoed, seeking rification.


    "Yes," Duncan said curtly. "I told Annie to go back home earlier—there won’t be a marriage. But I still want to honor the arrangement with her father. Have Evans figure out a way to keep the partnership intact without me having to marry his daughter. The investment he promised must remain unaffected."


    [Understood, boss. I’ll reach out to Evans immediately and get started on the draft,] Orson assured him.


    "Good," Duncan muttered, taking another sip of his wine. His expression was as cold as his tone. "Let me know as soon as you have something concrete. And Orson—keep this discreet. Thest thing I need is for anyone else to get wind of it."


    ["Of course, sir. You can count on me. What is your n regarding Mrs. Veston? Is there anything specific you’d like me to do or ry to Attorney Evans?"] Orson asked, eager to assist.


    "Good that you brought that up. There’s something I need both of you to look into under the family code," Duncan replied firmly. "See if there’s any legal action I can take against Cammy for faking her death and our son’s death—something that wouldpel her toe back home.


    Also, I want a thorough background check on Gregory Cross. Find any weakness or vulnerability we can exploit to take him down. He’s the reason Cammy is standing against me. She has courage because that man is supporting her. Once he’s out of the picture, she’ll have no choice but to return to me."


    ["Understood, boss. I’ll update you tomorrow at the office."]


    Duncan ended the call, his eyes drifting to the framed photo on his desk. It was theirst family picture together—Cammy seated, visibly pregnant with the twins, Dn standing beside her, and Duncan behind them, his arms wrapped protectively around them all.


    Duncan leaned back in his chair, staring into the dark liquid in his ss. His mind churned with strategies and contingencies, a faint smirk forming on his lips. "One way or another," he murmured to himself, "everything will fall into ce."


    He ran his thumb on Cammy’s face and murmured, "I’m sorry, Hon. Please, forgive onest time and I’ll make everything right. I’ll take care of you and Dn this time. Just wait for me to save your father’spany and I promise we will be happy and be the perfect family that you have always dreamed of. Pleasee home to me..."


    **********


    Cammy woke up early and, as she had the previous day, headed straight to Dn’s room to check on him. Once again, it was empty. ’He’s probably swimming again,’ she thought and made her way toward the indoor pool.


    "Good morning, Madam," Andrea, the head housekeeper, greeted her warmly. "Are you looking for Dn and Mr. Cross?"


    "Yes, I am. I assume they’re swimming again this morning?"


    "They’re actually in the dining hall. They went for a run earlier, and I’m on my way to Dn’s room to fetch him a towel," Andrea exined.


    "Oh, let me grab it instead," Cammy offered.


    "It’s quite alright, Madam. This is my responsibility. Please, go ahead and join them for breakfast. I’ll take care of it." Andrea bowed slightly and walked off before Cammy could insist further.


    Cammy followed Andrea’s suggestion and headed to the dining area. As she approached, the sound ofughter filled the air—not just Dn and Greg’s voices, but several others as well.


    "Good morning!" Cammy greeted cheerfully as she stepped into the room. Her eyes quickly scanned the scene, noticing five other children sitting around the table, eating breakfast with Dn and Greg.


    "You’re finally awake, Mommy! I was waiting for you so you could meet my friends," Dn said enthusiastically. He stood up, took her hand gently, and led her closer to the table. He then began introducing each of the children by name.


    "They’re the children of the employees here, just like I mentioned before," Greg added, his gaze locking with Cammy’s as he spoke.


    ’He seems happy today,’ Cammy thought as she observed Greg, noting the rxed smile on his face as if the tension fromst night had never happened.


    "How are you?" Cammy asked, taking the opportunity to speak with Greg when Dn released her hand and returned to eating while chatting animatedly with the other children.


    "I’m fine," Greg replied. "We went for a jog around the property earlier—threeps to warm up. It was just supposed to be Dn and me, but when we passed the employee building, we saw the kids and invited them to join us," he exined.


    "There’s a building here?" Cammy asked, surprised. She realized she hadn’t explored much of Greg’s estate.


    "Yes, it’s a three-story building, more like an apartmentplex. It’s not veryrge—each family gets a unit, and the single employees share apartments with a few roommates," Greg said, handing her a freshly poured cup of coffee.


    "I see. You’re a generous employer, Greg," Cammy remarked, taking a sip.


    "Not really," Greg replied with a shrug. "It’s just practical. Commuting to this ce isn’t easy, and I don’t tolerateme excuses from my employees. If they live on the property, they won’t bete, and if their kids get sick, they can tend to them immediately without losing focus on their work."


    "Fair enough. By the way, I did not advance work yesterday so I will be leaving work early today. Dn and I need to arrange our things in the new apartment before work and school resume tomorrow. I already informed my manager, and she’s fine with it," she added.


    "Sounds good. I’ll help you with the move," Greg offered casually.


    "No, no, that’s okay," Cammy said quickly. "There’s not much to arrange. Most of the furniture was destroyed, remember? It’s just clothes and a few kitchen items."


    "Will Ric be there to hand you the keys?" Greg asked nonchntly, sipping his coffee.


    "Uh... yes, he will," Cammy replied hesitantly.


    "Alright, I’ll pick you up at lunch. I’ll bring Dn along, and we can go to the mall to buy what you need," Greg said.


    "It’s really not necessary," Cammy insisted. "The apartment is semi-furnished, and we won’t be staying there long. I n to move back to Mr. and Mrs. Moore’s building once the renovations are done, so there’s no need to buy anything."


    "Fine, no furniture or new items. But let’s get you some groceries instead," Greg concluded.


    Cammy sighed and gave him an exasperated look. ’He just won’t let me have my way. So stubborn and pushy,’ she thought, watching Greg as he focused on the news on his tablet, calmly chewing his food.