Andrew looked up at Debra.


    "Barton mentioned you visited the attic."


    "I did."


    "What did you see?"


    Debra lowered her eyes. "Just some old belongings. It was a whim."


    Andrew didn''t press further. Instead, he nced at the white gown she wore and asked, "Are you heading out?"


    "There''s a press conference. I need to resolve some matters."


    "I''ve heard bits about the online rumors. They don''t seem critical, but if you need my help, I''ll have arrangements made."


    "It''s fine. I can handle them," she said, standing up. "Take care."


    "I will." Andrew nodded.


    Debra paused at the door, and he asked, "Is there anything else?"


    "I had a dream."


    "A dream?"


    "In it, I seemed to have lived here for a while. The attic was a beautiful room. A gentle boy stayed by my side and told me stories."


    Debra wanted to ask if Andrew knew anything or if he was that boy.


    But when she turned back, Andrew''s expression remained unchanged "A dream is just a dream. I don''t recall


    ou in my childhood."


    "Yeah. It was only a dream. I must have imagined it," Debra sighed.


    But as soon as she left, Andrew''s smile faded.


    "Sir, you should rest now."


    "Indeed."


    Barton felt a pang of heartache. Andrew understood Debra better than anyone, yet he deliberately kept his distance. Every courteous phrase acted as a barrier, widening the gap between them.


    Outside, Debra nced up at the window of Andrew''s bedroom. Ever since her illness, the sprawling estate felt inexplicably familiar.


    "Let''s go, " Marion said, opening the car door for her.


    Debra nodded and slid into the seat.


    "Pump yourself up. Time to wipe the floor with Vickie at the press conference," Randy encouraged her.


    "We''ll show them what we''ve got," Erica echoed.


    Debra chuckled, "It''s not a battle. You''re exaggerating."


    Randy wagged a finger. "Oh, it is a battle. You''re the warrior charging in with a machine gun."


    Erica nodded in agreement. "Juan


    and Vickle are hosting a


    Vol


    ribbon cutting ceremony next c


    at the new branch office. Ouppress


    conference is to ruin their spotlight."