They arrived quickly.

As Ariana pushed open the door, she was relieved to find her son, little Melon, and Adele eating cakes.

Both had cake crumbs on their faces, resembling white beards, yet the room contained only the two of them — Holden was nowhere in sight.

The sight of Ariana prompted Melon to put down his cake and sit up a little straighter.

He quickly reassured her, "Mom, I only had a small piece, really."

Meanwhile, Adele briefly glanced at Ariana before returning to her cake, absorbed in her indulgence.

Unfazed by the messiness, Ariana found her earlier panic dissipating as she approached Melon, tenderly scooping him into her arms.

Just then, a security guard interjected, "Mr. Fredrick had an impromptu meeting and left earlier. Take your time here.”

Ariana nodded appreciatively, letting go of any inclination to reprimand Melon.

Holding her son securely, she wiped a smudge off his face and finally released a sigh of relief, her words expressing her emotions.

“As long as you're safe. You really scared Mommy."

Melon responded with a mischievous chuckle and pointed out, "Adele needs a wipe too."

Taking Ariana's hand, he helped Adele clean her face, and Adele, ever cooperative, paused her cake-eating to accommodate the cleaning.

After tending to Adele, Ariana playfully ruffled Melon's hair, adopting a mock stern tone.

"So, you know how to be cute and clever, huh? Then why did you obediently go when someone asked you to buy coffee for them?"

Pouting, Melon explained, his frustration blending with innocence,

"It was that mean man. He threatened me, said he'd sue you if I didn't go. I didn't want Mommy to be sued."

Ariana's heart softened at his explanation.

She couldn't find it in herself to scold him any further, simply cradling him in her arms and gently cooing, "Silly boy."

At that particular moment, they witnessed Adele setting her cake aside, promptly changing her seating to position herself between them.