?Chapter 870:


    As Felix continued to speak, Wesley found his gaze inadvertently settling on Elena. Unbeknownst to him, his usual stern look had softened, reced by a hint of warmth.


    Felix’s voice had grown hoarse from talking, yet Wesley still hadn’t said a word. Listening closely, Felix could even make out children’s voices in the background from the other end of the line.


    This puzzled Felix. Wesley was known to dislike the children—wasn’t he?


    Felix tried to regain Wesley’s attention. “Mr. Spencer? Do you think the proposal I outlined could work?”


    Just a short while before, Felix had reported that all the doctors and teachers longed to leave the ind due to its poor conditions. His solution was to double their pay and add a million-dor bonus after five years of working, a strategy that would persuade them to reconsider.


    Refocusing on the conversation, Wesley responded with a nomittal grunt.


    With a furrowed brow, Felix ended the call, puzzled by the unexpected background noise. Why were children there, of all ces? Wesley had changed subtly but noticeably since meeting Elena. It appeared that even the most stoic men could show a gentler side around the women they loved.


    Shaking his head, Felix was relieved he wasn’t entangled in romance. To him, rtionships were obstacles to professional achievement.


    In under thirty minutes, Elena hadpleted all the portraits. The children treasured their drawings, examining them repeatedly with beaming faces.


    Upon seeing her likeness, Lizzie’s expression brightened as if she had tasted something delicious. “Elena, this looks just like me! You’re incredible!”


    Elena responded with a gentle smile.


    Carefully folding her drawing, Lara stored it like a cherished keepsake.


    “Thanks, Elena. I promise to work hard and visit you someday.”


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    Elena nodded. “I’ll be waiting for you in the.”


    A blush of excitement tinged Lara’s cheeks as she nodded vigorously.


    Life on the ind was typically dull, each day indistinguishable from thest. Elena’s arrival, however, had infused the children’s mundane existence with vibrant colors.


    Among the children, being the eldest, Lara felt Elena’s influence most profoundly. She quietlymitted to her studies, determined to one day venture beyond this ind and see the vast world across the ocean, as Elena had encouraged.


    Once the drawing session concluded, Wesley gently nudged the children toward departure. “Now that you’ve got your portraits, it’s time to head back. Linger any longer, and I might just have to keep you.” The children were fond of Elena but remained cautious around Wesley. His prompt made them quickly disperse.


    Gathering the leftover art supplies, Elena said, “It’s time we left as well.” Dusk was setting in, and their return to the was overdue.


    The butler, informed of their impending departure, rushed to wish them well on their journey.


    Felix operated one helicopter alone, while Elena and Wesley entered the other.


    Both helicopters lifted off, soaring into the sky. The butler remained on the beach, watching them fade into the horizon. As he turned away, the distinct sound of helicopters returned. Stopping in his tracks, he anticipated their return and watched as the helicopternded once more.


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