Lily took a steady breath, nodding without a shred of resentment as she began untying her apron strings.
Holding the small white birthday cake in both hands, with the single candle still flickering brightly against the afternoon light, the old man slowly straightened his posture.
The fragile, helpless demeanor vanished entirely. His steel-blue eyes sharpened with profound, commanding clarity.
Reaching into his jacket pocket, he pulled out a black smartphone and answered an incoming secure call.
He brought the phone to his ear, his gravelly voice carrying an unmistakable authority that commanded instant silence throughout the entire shop:
"She passed."
He paused, looking gently at Lily's kind face, then fixed a cold, piercing gaze onto Richard.
"Tell the board we finally found someone."
Chapter IV: The Arrival of the Executives
Richard chuckled nervously, trying to brush it off: "Look old man, stop making prank calls in my bakery. Both of you need to get off my property before—"