Mark affectionately ruffled Edwin's short brown hair and replied softly, "You're adorable too."

Edwin puckered his lips and remarked, "I'm a little guy. ‘Adorable’ isn't the right word for me."

Mark smiled warmly.

Olivia was finally sound asleep, which was good since children required ample hours of sleep each day.

Mark mused that the one upstairs also had a penchant for sleeping in.

He then carried Olivia upstairs.

As expected, Cecilia was still in slumber.

Mark tenderly placed Olivia in her mother's bed.

Cecilia roused from her sleep.

She gazed down at Olivia in her embrace, planting a gentle kiss on her daughter's forehead. In a hoarse voice, Mark suggested, "It's still early. Why don't you sleep with her for a little while longer?"

Cecilia hesitated.

It was already eight o'clock, and she felt it might be too late to go back to sleep.

Mark playfully tapped her head and teased, “My mom knows you well.

You don't have to pretend to be diligent."

Cecilia pressed her lips together, shooting a stern look at Mark.

Just as Mark was about to respond, his phone rang, and it was Peter on the line.

Mark picked up the call, exchanged a few words, and then stepped out onto the terrace.

Even from inside the room, Cecilia could faintly hear their conversation.

The call centered on Laura, who was adopted by Peter and his wife, residing in Duefron.

Laura didn't speak, but her hearing was unaffected.