Revenge is Best Served… After Reborn

Early morning found Colby pedaling his bike to a breakfast café two miles away, all to fetch breakfast for Sophie. She had a soft spot for their croissants, so every morning, rain or shine, Colby made the trek.

Trailing behind him, trying to be inconspicuous, were Fiona and Alec. Colby, aware of his followers, adjusted the little mirror on his bike to catch a glimpse of them. He spotted their not-so-stealthy figures and couldn't help but grin. With a quick maneuver, he angled the mirror to reflect sunlight right into their eyes, and in a flash, he vanished around the corner.

"Where did Dad go?!" Fiona fumed, bewildered by his sudden disappearance.

Alec stayed quiet, calculating the angles and direction of that blinding light. "This way!" he said, pulling Fiona to the left.

"I've never seen a business tycoon who bikes to get breakfast every day," Fiona panted as they ran. "Maybe godfather exaggerated? Maybe Dad isn't as big a deal as the files suggest."

On TV, these big shots have a fleet of cars and a swarm of bodyguards, right? But looking at her dad, Fiona felt they were just a notch wealthier than the average family.

Meanwhile, Colby had reached the café. His usual order was ready, and the owner's wife handed it over with a smile. "Back for your wife's breakfast again? You're such a wonderful husband!" she said.

Colby chuckled, took the bag, and headed back. By the time Fiona and Alec arrived, he was long gone.

Back at the Aldridge Estate, Sophie was enjoying her fresh croissants, clearly pleased.

"You're saying Fiona and Alec were following you?" she asked.

"They were terrible at it," Colby replied, shaking his head. "They need more practice."noveldrama

"Colby, not everyone can be as skilled as you. Our daughter's doing just fine, Sophie said, not aiming for their daughter to become extraordinary, just hoping she

ver

wouldn't embarrass them.

"Colby, you should be more patient and caring with her, not always pushing her to train..." Sophie started, but Colby was already wiping a crumb from her mouth with a napkin.

"How did you get that all over your mouth?" he teased.

"Were you even listening to me just now?"

"Hmm? Yeah, I was," Colby replied with a teasing smile. "There's a new spot in your favorite mall that's got rave reviews. I made us a lunch reservation."

"... You weren't listening at all," Sophie sighed, resigned.

People say a father's love is as solid as a mountain, and Colby embodied that. But while others dream of their daughters achieving greatness, Colby was always worried about potential threats. From a young age, he drilled Fiona in combat and survival skills. Now, just the sight of him made her instinctively want to bolt.

By evening, at the Costello family home, it was nine o'clock. Sophie worn out from a day of shopping, had already turned in. Colby quietly tucked her in and slipped out of the bedroom.