Yolanda sought Dorian’s advice before finalizing the initial program.

With steady hands, she carefully inserted the chip into the robot’s body, input the necessary code, and restarted it.

The humanoid robot sprang to life.

As Yolanda observed the female robot standing before her, a satisfied smile spread across her face. She was eager to command the robot and test its capabilities but held back, remembering that Caden was on his way.

Yolanda wanted Caden to experience Lina first.

Soon after, Caden arrived. Yolanda rushed to greet him, her excitement palpable.

“Caden! You’re here! Come, take a look.”

Caden’s gaze fell upon the robot named Lina. He was familiar with her—he had built her himself.

But now, something was different.

The once lifeless, mechanical eyes now sparkled with warmth, almost resembling human pupils.

Intrigued, Caden studied Lina closely, his expression reflecting a mixture of curiosity and admiration.

“Give her a try, Caden,” Yolanda encouraged softly. “I’ll step out for a moment.”

Caden nodded. “Thank you.”

Yolanda smiled warmly. “No worries. It’s the least I could do.”

After stepping out, Yolanda leaned against the wall, taking a moment to rest. The thought of making Caden happy filled her with a profound sense of fulfillment.

Everything she’d learned from Dorian had helped her create exactly what Caden needed.

gⱯlnσν𝓮ℓs․cøm is a world of wonder

Alicia could never do that.

One day, when the time was right, she would naturally take Alicia’s place—both in his life and by his side.

Meanwhile, Dorian emerged from the restroom.

Just as he was about to speak, Yolanda pulled him aside.

“Dad, you need to go back now,” she said firmly. She didn’t want him interfering with her plans. “Trust me, I’ve got this handled.”

Dorian, ever the perceptive man, effortlessly discerned the unspoken thoughts behind her words.

He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Take care of yourself,” he said softly.

Yolanda met his gaze, her determination unwavering. “I will, Dad,” she replied, her voice steady. She offered him a reassuring smile as she guided him to leave.

Once in his car, Dorian leaned back in his seat and let out a tired sigh.

Retirement suited him well. If not for Yolanda’s request, he wouldn’t have gotten involved at all. The busy hours had worn him down, and before long, he drifted off to sleep.

When he eventually opened his eyes, he noticed that the car was parked beneath a towering billboard.

His eyes widened in astonishment as the screen displayed an advertisement for Alicia’s gallery, her portrait dominating half the space. Her delicate features and serene gaze were mesmerizing, but there was something deeper in her expression that drew him in.

A strange sensation stirred within him, an unshakable familiarity.

“So, this is Alicia—the woman Caden has feelings for,” Dorian mused.

Both Alicia and Yolanda had their own unique charms, excelling in their respective fields. Alicia seemed like the perfect match for Caden. Yet, as he studied her face, a sense of recognition gnawed at the edges of his thoughts.

Why did she seem so familiar?

Noticing his captivated stare, the driver broke the silence. “Mr. Moss, do you know her?”

Dorian’s expression turned serious. “No. Is she well-known in Warrington?”

The driver hesitated. “Recently, yes. She’s been gaining popularity and has been in the headlines a lot, especially with Mr. Ward.”

The story of the Bennett family was widely known, and the driver had heard bits and pieces about it.

“She’s an orphan. After graduating college, she married into the Yates family, but the marriage didn’t last—they divorced several months ago,” he explained.

Dorian frowned thoughtfully. “An orphan?”

“Yes. Her parents passed in an accident,” the driver confirmed.

A pang of sympathy touched Dorian’s heart for reasons he couldn’t quite explain.

Meanwhile, Caden was thoroughly impressed with Lina. Although she was nearly ninety percent human-like, there were still a few details that needed refinement.

Caden intended to make those adjustments himself.

Before he realized it, evening had fallen. As he stepped outside, he noticed Yolanda waiting for him.

Concern flickered across his face as he took in her pale, weary expression. “Are you all right?”

Yolanda nodded quickly, forcing a bright smile. “So, what do you think? Do you like it?”

“Yes, it’s impressive,” Caden replied, his admiration evident. “But you need to prioritize your health. You can’t keep pushing yourself like this. Once you’ve recovered, you should go back with Dorian.”

Yolanda’s smile wavered, replaced by a flicker of sadness. “Caden, I’ve been working tirelessly today, all on my own. I just wanted to make you happy, and now you want to send me away?”

Caden’s tone grew firm. “I appreciate your efforts, but there’s no room for negotiation about you going back.”

Yolanda bit her lip, holding back the frustration rising within her. She knew she had to retreat, at least for now, to find another opportunity later.

“Caden,” she began softly, her voice tinged with desperation, “I promise I won’t interfere with your relationship with Alicia. I won’t stand in your way. Please, don’t send me away.”

Caden regarded her silently for a moment before pulling out his phone and sending a quick message.

“Please, Caden,” Yolanda continued, her voice trembling. “I’ll take care of my health. I won’t be a burden. Just let me stay in Warrington, okay?”

The more she pleaded, the more indifferent Caden’s expression became.

“Yolanda,” he said evenly, “don’t invest your emotions where they’re not wanted.”

Tears welled up in her eyes, stinging as she struggled to hold them back.

Was loving him silently, from the shadows, not even an option?

Her throat tightened, and when she spoke again, her voice was barely a whisper. “Alright, Caden… I’ll do as you say. I’ll focus on recovering.”

For now, staying in Warrington was the best she could hope for—it kept her close enough to cling to a faint glimmer of hope.

Caden glanced at his watch before giving her a curt nod. “You should head back to Joy Mansion.”

He reached for his coat and walked past her without looking back.

Yolanda blinked in surprise. “Caden, aren’t you going to spend some time with Lina?”

“Another time,” he replied coolly. “I have something else to take care of tonight.”

Stunned, Yolanda felt a sinking sensation in her chest.

A vague idea of what Caden might be planning flickered in her mind, and a shadow of gloom passed through her eyes.

Ten minutes after he left, she quietly made up her mind—she would follow him.