Erica stared at the portrait. Memories of her childhood shed through her mind.


    It was Caleb who taught her to be strong and independent, trained her in fighting skills, and showed her how to protect herself. He had also shared wisdom about life and survival.


    She remembered one time when he took her to the greenhouse. Surrounded by roses, he said, "Loving someone is like tending to flowers. Only with care and dedication can they bloom beautifully."


    He taught her how to nt flowers and cherish them. Back then, she was just a budding girl. 20 yearster, she was the president of the Mathis Group. She had bloomed like a dazzling rose, just as Caleb had predicted.


    "Caleb, rest in peace," she muttered, tightening her grip on Randy''s hand.


    At the Potter Mansion, Barton nced at Andrew, who was staring out the window.


    "Sir, the guests have all arrived at the funeral. Aren''t you going?"


    "No. Someone else will represent me."


    "You mean..."


    "Jordan should''ve returned by now."


    The weather outside shifted suddenly. The once-clear skies darkened as heavy clouds rolled in over Seamar


    City. A few faint rumbles of thunder echoed, and the rain began to fall.


    At the funeral, the guests had already bid their final farewells to Caleb.


    Just then, a figure wearing a white flower pinned to his chest appeared at the entrance of the hall.


    "Am Ite?" he said.


    Everyone turned toward the door and saw Jordan standing there.


    His once-red hair was now dyed back to ck. Compared to thest time they had seen him, he lookedpletely different. His skin had a healthy tan, and his hair was cut into a clean buzz.


    The wild, mboyant boy was gone. In his ce stood a mature man.


    For a moment, Debra didn''t recognize him.


    "Jordan? You''re back," Erica said, surprised.


    Andrew had sent him to join the army. His return was unexpected.


    Debra asked, "Did you finish your mission?"


    Jordan nodded. "Yes, it''s done."


    Randy asked Marion, "Shouldn''t you have known about Jordan''s return?"


    Marion shrugged. "He''s not one of my men."


    Randy thought for a moment and nodded. "Makes sense. Caleb had quite a few subordinates. We don''t know which one he joined."


    Jordan nced at the white flower in his hand. "Looks like I''mte. Has he been buried?"


    Randy nodded. "Yep. Anyter, we''d be sitting down to eat."


    Jordan was puzzled. "Eat?"


    "Yeah," Randy replied. "We can''t send


    Caleb off without a proper feast. He loved the crowd.


    crowd. I''m sure he


    would''ve wanted his funeral to be


    grand and cheerful."


    Erica nodded in agreement. "Exactly. That''s why I already told someone to bring ten gallons of whisky. Not


    sure if that''ll be enough for Caleb up there."


    "That''s a bit too much," Randy chimed in.


    "He''s got lots ofrades. He


    outlived all of them. Do you think t


    V


    those friends of his won''t be sharing


    drinks with him? Ten gallonsais being conservative."