As Deanna followed Gunner to meet the higher-ups, news of their return spread online.
It turned out that when they left the airport, paparazzi who were there to photograph celebrities had captured them.
Soon, the internet was filled with praise for Deanna and her team.
"Professor Martinez and his team are so low-key, they returned quietly!"
"Yes, I was planning to go to the airport to welcome them back!"
"Although I didn't get to welcome them at the airport, I bought stocks of Mercer Group and many products from Deanna's company to support their research!"
"I bought a lot too. I hope Professor Martinez and his team can develop more cures for severe diseases and ease patients' burdens."
Due to these online calls, that evening, both Deanna's products and Mercer Group's stocks saw a surge in popularity.
After reporting on their overseas experiments, Deanna and her team returned home.
"Daddy, Mommy, you're finally back."
The two little ones saw Deanna and Lance return and jumped off the sofa, running towards them with open arms.
They each hugged one parent and looked up with concern, "Daddy, Mommy, are you hurt?"
"Don't worry, we're fine."
Deanna and Lance affectionately hugged the little ones in front of them and then led them to the living room.
Samantha sat on the sofa, smiling, "Gregory and Chloe knew you were coming back and insisted on staying home. When you didn't return right away, they waited all afternoon. Where were you?"
"We had some matters to handle, so we didn't come back immediately," Lance answered briefly, clearly not intending to elaborate.
Samantha understood and didn't press further. She changed the subject, "Since you're back, I'll go rest now. I've been waiting for you all night; I'm exhausted."
"Thank you for taking care of things these past days. Please go rest; we'll take care of Gregory and Chloe," Lance nodded.
Deanna also expressed her gratitude.
That night, the two little ones stayed in Deanna and Lance's room.
Lying in bed, they curiously asked, "Daddy, Mommy, can you tell us about your journey back? Was it exciting?"
"Curious, aren't you?"
Deanna laughed and tapped her daughter's forehead.
The little girl nodded seriously, her eyes shining as she continued to ask, "Mommy, was it like in the movies with lots of people chasing you?"
"Something like that." Deanna didn't want to dampen her daughter's curiosity and recounted the part about the plane chase.
Even so, the two little ones listened with bated breath, exclaiming constantly.
Gregory grabbed Deanna's hand after hearing the story and declared, "When I grow up, I'll protect Mommy and won't let anyone bully you!"
"I'll protect Mommy too! I'll fly a fighter jet and catch all the bad guys who bully Mommy!" Chloe shouted excitedly beside him.
Deanna was surprised to hear this. She didn't expect her usually quiet daughter to say something so ambitious. She teased, "Flying a fighter jet isn't easy. You have to join the military and pass many tests before you can become a pilot."
"I'm not afraid. I'm so capable; I can definitely do it."
Chloe patted her chest confidently, making Deanna and Lance laugh.
Gregory laughed too, "What makes you capable? You cry every time you fall."
"Who cries? You can't say that!"
Chloe glared angrily at being exposed and emphasized, "I'm the best!"
Deanna and Lance couldn't help but laugh.
The room filled with the sound of their childish arguments.
Though noisy, the atmosphere was indescribably warm.
In contrast to this harmony, things weren't going well for Lionel.
When Lionel returned to his apartment, he found it completely dark.
He thought Julia was resting. Remembering that Julia's sleep had been light since she got pregnant, he didn't turn on the lights. Using his phone's glow, he quietly entered the bedroom only to find it empty.
When he turned on the light, he noticed that Julia's usual belongings were also gone. Sensing something was wrong, he called Julia.
The call connected quickly, but Julia didn't speak.
"Julia?" Lionel called tentatively.
Julia responded with a low hum, her mood clearly down.
Lionel immediately sensed something was wrong and asked urgently, "What's wrong? Why aren't you home this late? Where are you now?"
"I'm staying at my parents' house until we get married," Julia replied.
Lionel frowned deeply in confusion, "Why?"
Just then, a clear female voice came from outside the room.
"Lionel, is that you?"