It was a Christmas gift from Leonel. With a bittersweet feeling, Alexis took a cautious bite. The apple was both sweet and tart, delicious.

She slept well after that episode, dreaming of her younger days.

Waking up, she saw daylight streaming through the windows.

Glancing at the clock, it was already seven. She hurried to get up, knowing she needed to take Evelyn and Daniel to school. But as she descended the stairs, the maid informed her, "Mr. Douglas rose early this morning. The kids wanted to see the snow scene. He's already taken them to school. They might be playing in the snow on the way.”

Alexis paused, momentarily stunned.

She slowly sat at the kitchen table, half-heartedly nibbling on her breakfast. Concern nudging her, she eventually called Leonel.

After a few rings, he picked up.

In a cheerful voice, he asked, "What's wrong?"

After a moment of hesitation, Alexis said, "I heard you took the kids out to play. Well... just take care of yourself. Noreen mentioned that you should be especially careful with your leg."

In the past, such a comment might have touched a nerve with Leonel.

However, since they had both resigned themselves to not being together, he had become much more forgiving and gentle. He responded softly, “I will be careful. If there's nothing more, I'll hang up now."

Alexis was unsure what more to say. Anything further might sound too intimate.

They didn't bring up the apple from the previous night, nor did they discuss his late visit to her room.

These moments remained their unspoken secret.

Lost in her thoughts, Alexis was brought back to the present as Olivia yawned and descended the stairs, sitting across from her and cheerily saying, “Good morning, Alexis! Oh, why did everyone wake up so early today? Uncle Waylen and Aunt Rena went off to the mountains to see the snow scenery early in the morning, and they even took Cordelia with them. Leonel dropped Evelyn and Daniel at school. Why is there no one to take me to see the snow?"

Alexis took a sip of her milk.

"Hey, aren't you a bit old for that?"

Resting her chin on her slender arms, Olivia replied, "I still have to head to the office later. There's an interview scheduled with a notoriously difficult celebrity... I'm just a comic artist, why am I being assigned this?"

Alexis was aware of the situation.

The celebrity in question was Miss Holt, who had become a popular singer early in her career.