?Chapter 1027:


    This caught Elena off guard. Ellis was ready to settle down? How had she not heard a word about this?


    “Ellis actually wants to get married? Who’s the lucky woman?” she asked, curiosity in in her voice.


    Jeffry shrugged, giving nothing away. “He didn’t mention any names. Maybe you’ll get the story out of him next time you see him at the base.”


    For as long as Elena could remember, Ellis had never seemed interested in romance. She had no clue who he would want to marry. A sudden buzz from her phone interrupted her thoughts. Without another word, she answered the call. It was from the shelter where the children rescued from the ind were staying for the time being.


    Usually, after the orphaned kids found some emotional stability, the staff would start looking for adoptive families to give them a fresh start. This group, though, was different. They clung to each other, refusing to be split up, and fought the idea of adoption at every turn. When nothing else seemed to work, the staff turned to Elena for help.


    Elena had already marked the shelter on her afternoon list of ces to visit. And since the kids were refusing adoption, she made up her mind right then. “I’ll handle their care personally from here on out,” she said.


    Once Elena ended the call, it hit her that Jeffry was still nearby. She faced him, trying to figure out his lingering presence.


    Jeffry broke the silence. “Those are the kids from the ind owned by the Spencer family, right? I can take responsibility for them. There’s a group home built, fully equipped with medical care and ess to schooling. Everything they’ll need is already set up.”


    Surprise registered on Elena’s face. She hadn’t expected this offer.


    Jeffry continued, “Every person working there was handpicked by me. I made sure each one has the heart to treat those kids like their own family.”


    Elena paused, considering his words, before giving a nod of agreement. “I’m on my way to see them now. Do you want to tag along?” she asked.


    Without hesitation, Jeffry agreed. “Yeah, let’s head out. My car’s waiting in front.”


    Together, they stepped out of the Harper family’s mansion, ready to leave for the shelter. At that very moment, Lydia got word about the situation of the children.


    Children had always been Lydia’s soft spot. As soon as her phone chimed with the alert, she snatched her coat from the rack and hurried outside.


    Ethan was right there in the hall, nearly bumping into her. He caught the anxious look on her face and the urgency in her steps. “Why are you running off in such a hurry?”


    Without missing a beat, Lydia replied, “I’m heading to the shelter. Those kids rescued from Avaloria are refusing adoption, and the staff are at their wits’ end. I have to go see the children.”


    “I’lle too,” Ethan replied, not pausing to consider anything else.


    A look of disbelief froze his assistant mid-step. Ethan had an inspection lined up, didn’t he? This wasn’t on the schedule. Still gripping Ethan’s briefcase, the assistant could only stand there,pletely bewildered and at a loss for what to do next.


    Meanwhile, Ethan and Lydia had already slipped into the waiting elevator. Lydia nced at him sideways, eyebrows raised in surprise. “Aren’t you supposed to be out on inspection duty today?”


    “It got moved to tomorrow,” Ethan replied evenly, his expression as calm as ever.


    That exnation was enough for Lydia. She didn’t dwell on it. In her eyes, Ethan was the kind of leader people wished for—sharp, loyal, and always ready to step up. Even the kids they had rescued held a ce in his priorities. No wonder he had earned the Director’s seat at the National Security Bureau.


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