Night had fallen, and Sam was fiddling with a Rubik's Cube under Raymond's patient guidance. Raymond's face was lit up with a rare, gentle smile.
Melinda watched from the side, feeling a warm sensation in her heart. One of the many reasons she had fallen for Raymond was his care and affection for Sam.
Thinking about their upcoming engagement, Melinda felt a mix of nervousness and excitement.
After Sam went to bed early, exhausted from playing, Melinda was about to head to her room to rest. Just then, she received a text from Raymond: "Come to the master bedroom."
Melinda was slightly taken aback but got up and went to the master bedroom. She opened the door to find Raymond leaning against the headboard, looking at her.
"What's up?" Melinda asked.
Raymond patted the empty spot next to him, signaling her to sit down. "Stay with me tonight."
Melinda's cheeks flushed slightly, and she shook her head. "No, I need to sleep in my own room."
Raymond frowned, pretending to be upset. "But I can't sleep. Are you really going to leave me alone and sleepless?"
Melinda sighed in resignation. "Fine, but you better behave."
She lay down next to Raymond, who wrapped his arms around her and whispered, "Don't worry, I won't."
Listening to his steady heartbeat, Melinda gradually drifted off to sleep. Raymond gently patted her back, and they fell asleep in each other's arms.
The next day was Christmas. Early in the morning, Raymond met with the vice president of a wedding planning company to discuss their engagement party. It wasn't until three in the afternoon that they finalized some decisions, leaving the remaining details for later.
Melinda stood by the floor-to-ceiling window on the second floor, watching the wedding planners leave. She then called her mother, Connie, to tell her about spending New Year's and the Lantern Festival at the Thomas Villa and their engagement.
Connie was overjoyed at the news, repeatedly saying, "That's wonderful!"
After hanging up, Connie excitedly ran to Bobby to share the good news. However, Bobby didn't seem as thrilled. Instead, he felt a pang of jealousy and anger. After a moment's hesitation, he took out his phone and called Emily.
Emily was out shopping with Elsie on a bustling street, surrounded by a myriad of stores and a constant flow of people. She was confidently boasting about the expensive gifts Leo had given her, while Elsie smiled faintly, occasionally nodding in agreement, though a hint of sarcasm flickered in her eyes.
"Emily, did you know? Melinda is getting engaged to Raymond," Bobby's voice came through the phone, tinged with barely concealed jealousy.
Emily was stunned, her eyes widening in disbelief. "What? Engaged? How is that possible?"
She turned to look at Elsie, whose expression had turned dark and menacing.
"It's true," Bobby sighed. "I just found out myself."
The other end of the line fell silent, with only the sound of breathing filling the void.
Elsie suddenly remembered something and spoke urgently, "Wait, Emily, didn't you say Melinda framed you, causing Raymond to misunderstand you and lose everything with the Thomas family? How can she be getting engaged to him?"
Emily took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "I don't know what she did, but she's actually getting engaged." Her voice grew colder.
Meanwhile, Raymond's villa welcomed two special guests—Dennis and Zachary. They arrived with a bunch of toys, their faces beaming with smiles. Sam greeted them enthusiastically, running around them in excitement.
Dennis and Zachary couldn't help but reminisce about their childhood training with Raymond as they watched Sam's lively antics. They were struck by how much Sam resembled a young Raymond, despite knowing they weren't related by blood. The resemblance was uncanny, and they marveled at the strange twist of fate.
"Hey, what do you guys do?" Sam asked curiously, looking up at them.
"I'm just a regular guy," Dennis laughed, ruffling Sam's hair. "But Mr. Baker here is a hero who catches bad guys."
"Really?" Sam's eyes sparkled with admiration. "What if Mr. Thomas gets into trouble?"
"Then he can count on us," Dennis and Zachary exchanged a smile. "We'll help him out."
After Sam left, Dennis and Zachary discussed the striking similarities between Sam and Raymond. They joked about the possibility of Raymond secretly having a child, though they knew it was just a playful thought. Watching Sam walk away, they felt an inexplicable sense of warmth.
"Who do you think will get married last?" Dennis suddenly proposed. "How about a bet? Loser buys dinner."
"What are we betting?" Zachary raised an eyebrow.
"Let's say a thousand bucks," Dennis suggested. "It's not like we can't afford it."
"Deal," Zachary agreed readily. "It's on."
In Raymond's seaside villa, the setting sun cast a warm glow over the elegant furniture, creating a serene and cozy atmosphere. Raymond, dressed in casual loungewear and leaning on a custom cane from Zephyr, slowly descended the stairs. A faint smile played on his lips, as if he had grown accustomed to his limited mobility.
Dennis, sitting on the couch and fiddling with a deck of cards, looked up mischievously as Raymond came down. "Raymond, we might not be able to make it to your engagement party."
Raymond smiled and sat down on the couch. "That's fine, but why the sudden rush? Can't you stay a few more days?"
"I'd love to, but there's something urgent back home that needs my attention," Dennis replied, then abruptly changed the subject. "By the way, Raymond, how does it feel to be in love?"
Raymond was momentarily taken aback, then laughed. "That's a pretty direct question."
"That's just how I am," Zachary chimed in, looking at Dennis. "Remember our bet about who would get married first and owe the other a thousand bucks?"
"Of course," Dennis grinned. "Looks like you're ready to lose."
"Not so fast," Zachary said with a sly smile. "I might just find someone to marry tomorrow."
The three of them laughed, reminiscing about their past adventures in the rainforest, where they had supported each other through tough times.
Around nine in the evening, the night deepened. Dennis and Zachary left Raymond's villa and drove to the bustling city center.
Neon lights flickered, and the streets were crowded, as if the city's entire energy was concentrated there.
"Dennis, I've got a great place to show you," Zachary said mysteriously. "I got into some trouble here last night, and I need you to help me settle the score."
Dennis frowned slightly. "Trouble? What happened?"