Chapter 967 Fireworks

Chapter 967 Fireworks

Randall's phone rang. Susan picked it up. "Hello?"

"Susan?" Marigold recognized her — she remembered the girl from the fight last time.

Susan recognized the voice too. "Is this... Marigold?"

"Susan, is Randall free to talk right now?"

"Randall just fell asleep. Is there something you need from him?"

"Oh, it's nothing urgent — just some details about a case. When he wakes up, have him call me back."

Susan figured it was probably about Erik, but she kept quiet and didn't let anything slip. "Sure, goodbye Marigold."

5 PM.

The people who'd been drinking were starting to sober up one by one.

Patrick grabbed his tools, and the family of three headed outside to the open lawn in the yard.

Teddy sat on the ground, looking completely lost.

Vera held a shovel and said to her son, who was grinning with his little fangs showing, "Mommy and Daddy are planting a tree for you — planting good luck for you, you little silly."

Patrick did the heavy work — digging and transplanting.

It was something the two of them had planned early on. Vera recalled, "When I was little and it was my birthday, my parents loved me so much — they planted an oak tree back in my hometown. It was their way of showing their love for each other and their love for me. After all these years, the leaves turn the most beautiful colors every fall. When the season comes, I'll take you and Teddy to see where I grew up."

That night, Patrick had watched his son's chubby little face as he slept, and in his quiet, understated way, said, "On our son's birthday, let's plant him a ginkgo tree."

Health, long life, smooth sailing, happiness...

And as luck would have it, ginkgo trees are planted in late fall and early winter — like it was meant to be for their son.

So here they were today — Teddy sitting on the ground, his dad in a suit and tie digging a hole, and his playful mom and cute little boy playing in the dirt beside him.

Once the sapling was planted, the three of them pressed their handprints into the soil: Dad's wide palm, Mom's warm little hand, and baby's adorable tiny handprint.

Done. Teddy tilted his head back and looked at the little sapling, scrunching up his nose with the cutest smile.

"Alright, let's wrap up and head home." Patrick picked up his son and lifted him high above his head, letting him sit on his shoulders. He held Teddy's chubby little hand in his big one and showed his boy the view from up there.

Teddy burst out laughing, giggling nonstop. Patrick started jogging with his son on his shoulders, and hearing that bright, happy laughter, he couldn't help laughing too.

Vera chased after them from behind. "I'm coming to get you two!"

It felt like a happy game, or maybe a dream — almost too beautiful to be real.

Vera had always felt lucky, but she could never quite put into words what that happiness actually was.

In that moment, chasing after her husband and son, listening to the three of them laughing together in the yard, she thought she finally understood.

This powerful man, in this big wide world, had split his heart in two — one half for his wife, one half for his son. And she, once the most sought-after girl on campus, had chosen to find a balance between school and family for the one she loved — to be a warm and loving wife, a fun and caring mom.

Teddy kept up his little baby chatter. Every time Patrick ran, Teddy felt the cold wind rushing at his face, took in the changing view, and laughed — a sound as clear as a bell, as bright as a running stream, his eyes curving into little crescents.

Patrick's bright laughter and Vera's curved brows blended into the slowly sinking sun and the deepening dusk. The golden hour, peaceful and beautiful.

The family of three in the fading sunlight — Mom with her lively, sparkling eyes, Dad tall and lean, and their chubby little boy. Laughter and warmth filled the air, wrapped in the glow of the sunset and the simple joy of everyday life.

"Time to go in — it's getting cold, the wind's turned Teddy's little cheeks all red." Vera reached out and pressed her hand to her son's face.

Patrick lifted Teddy down from his shoulders and held him close. "Let's go home," he said.

Vera laughed. "Little traitor from the tiger's den, little weirdo from the wolf's lair."

The sun disappeared completely, and the family of three headed back into their warm home.

"Tomorrow Mommy's going to study and Daddy's going to work — how about we drop you off with your uncle?"

"Mommy."

Vera laughed helplessly. "You don't even know — your uncle loves you the most."

That evening, mother and son sat on the bed unwrapping gift boxes.

Mr. Olteran tidied up the opened boxes and ribbons nearby.

The night grew late, the lights went out, and everything fell quiet.

The world was still. Stars flickered.

The next day.

Patrick got up, woke Vera, and drove her to her law school prep class.

Teddy was dropped off with his favorite uncle.

Noah took his nephew and headed straight out to show him off.

Randall got up in the morning, changed into his workout clothes, and went downstairs to run laps on the track. His uncle had trained him well when it came to discipline.

On days off, he had plenty of free time.

That morning, a car pulled up in front of Susan's house. Susan stepped outside and ran over with a big smile. "Randall!"

"Get in. I'll drive you to school."

After dropping Susan off, he headed straight to the police station. When he saw Marigold, he spoke first. "Marigold, I heard you called me yesterday. I came in on my own to cooperate with the investigation."

Marigold cleared her throat. "Right, Randall, follow me — I just have a few quick questions."

After the questioning was done and he was on his way out, he ran into Sebastian in the office next door.

Sebastian's heart jumped. "What are you doing here?"

"Cooperating with an investigation. Don't worry — Molly and Vera have nothing to do with this one."

Sebastian relaxed a little.

That afternoon, Randall met up with Poppy as arranged. "I did what you asked. Now what about what you promised me?"

Randall handed over the evidence, stood up, and left.

Erik wasn't the only one he had to deal with. He called Otto directly.

Otto answered in a panic, his voice shaking. "H-hello? Randall, is — is something wrong?" He hadn't forgotten — yesterday the police had shown up out of nowhere and taken Erik away, and everyone seemed to think it was Randall and the Olteran family behind it.

"Hey, Otto, you busy? Come grab a drink." Randall's voice came through with a teasing smile. "I'll send you the address. See you in a bit."

He hung up and went to wait at the bar.

Twenty minutes later, Otto sat down across from Randall, visibly tense.

"Otto, relax. Patrick is Patrick. I'm me. Things can go back to how they were."

Otto stumbled over his words. "Randall, no, I — I..."

Randall smiled lightly, but his tone left no room for argument. "Otto, don't be like that. Just call me Randall, same as always. I know you're just an employee — some of Erik's orders weren't yours to refuse. Don't worry. I'm not going after you. I'm actually going to help you."

"Help me?"