Chapter 726: Chapter 726: Forget it, don’t provoke a heartbroken man Chapter 726: Chapter 726: Forget it, don’t provoke a heartbroken man After Luke Scout hung up the phone, Brandon Piers did not immediately put down his phone. Instead, he pondered for a moment, moved his wristwatch, and sent a message, “Keep a close watch on Evergrowing’s recent drug purchases and shipments.”

After receiving a reply, Brandon inquired about Michael Piers’s recent situation at “April Sky.”

Although Michael and Brandon shared the same surname, they were not related at all.

Moreover, one had made a name in the legitimate pharmaceutical trade, while the other had roamed the black market for years. Even though Michael had cleaned up his act recently, his business still hovered on the gray edges of the entertainment service industry.

In recent years, although Michael bore the title of Best Actor, behind the scenes, he was a black sheep who terrified others. Whenever illegal items surfaced domestically, Michael was always the first to get wind of it.

When Michael received Brandon’s call, he immediately understood what the other man was asking, “There’s nothing at the moment.”

“Nothing at the moment?” Brandon raised his eyebrows, clearly catching the issue with this statement.

“Yes, ‘April Sky’ is strictly regulated by me; it’s very clean. But from what I know, there have indeed been recent attempts to secretly sell contraband drugs to major entertainment venues, very covertly, and in small quantities within controllable limits. They haven’t reached high-end venues yet, but since you’re asking me, it’s likely not a small operation and could soon target this side.” Michael did not mince words, laying out the situation for Brandon.

Brandon listened, knowing he had not misjudged, “If there’s anything unusual at your venues, remember to inform me.”

“Inform you so you can inform Luke Scout? Wouldn’t it be better if I directly inform Luke Scout?” Michael had heard about Luke’s recent situation of being used as free labor.

“Oh, that works. Luke has been pretty annoyed with me lately anyway.” Brandon seemed to seriously consider this through the phone before answering.

Michael, “…”

Forget it, better not provoke a heartbroken man.

…
Rose Valley.

Abigail finished her breakfast and dressed Teddy in an outfit for going out.

She rarely had a day off and had received Elder Piers’s invitation early this morning to visit the Flowery Aquarium in Swallow City.

Although the old man did not explicitly say so, it was clear he missed his great-grandson.

Abigail could not refuse.

When she and Aunt Claudia got into the car with Teddy in their arms, Threo rushed up and jumped into the passenger seat.

Abigail, “…” She had clearly locked it in the house, so how had it managed to follow and conveniently jump into the spot where she was about to place Teddy’s bag?

“Threo, Threo…” Teddy, sitting in the back seat, saw Threo get into the car and immediately wanted to leap forward happily, to the point that Aunt Claudia could barely control him.

And Threo, hearing Teddy call him, twisted his strong body to look back at Teddy.

Finally, Teddy hugged Threo’s neck, the love between them as if they had been apart for fifty years rather than five minutes.

Helplessly, they could only take Threo along.

Abigail had complex feelings. She felt that during her time of dedicated research, her place in Teddy’s heart had probably fallen behind a dog.

After her moment of sadness, Abigail signaled Hughes to start driving.

The aquarium was over an hour’s drive from Rose Valley. By the time they arrived, Elder Piers had already been waiting eagerly at the entrance with Kelly and little Tate, along with eight black-clad bodyguards behind them.

Abigail, “…”

Just as Abigail was at a loss for words over the scene before her, little Tate, who hadn’t seen Teddy in a long time, spotted them and excitedly waved his little arms, “Teddy, Teddy’s here.”

After the sorrowful farewell with Threo in the car, where he nestled affectionately with Threo, crowding Aunt Claudia into the passenger seat, Teddy froze for about three seconds upon hearing Tate’s voice. Suddenly and decisively, he let go of Threo–no, Doggy Piers–and with unsteady steps rushed towards Tate and the others.

The change was as swift as a tornado.

Abigail paused momentarily, then hurried forward to catch Teddy, preventing the little guy from colliding with anyone.

The aquarium was more crowded than other places, and Abigail did not dare to let Teddy run around freely.

Though Teddy was unhappy about being caught so quickly, he pouted and looked pitifully at his mother when he saw her face.

Abigail felt that her son’s reaction and expression had some elements of a performance, choosing to ignore it and quickly walked over to Elder Piers and the others, instinctively glancing at the bodyguards behind them. She could sense that the closer she got, the fewer people there were.

Regardless of how exaggerated it felt, Abigail did not ask many questions. She approached Elder Piers with Teddy.

Elder Piers, who hadn’t seen Teddy in a while, lovingly patted the little guy here and there. But Teddy kept reaching out for Tate, clearly finding his little buddy more important than his great-grandfather.

Kelly laughed and scolded nearby, “All these little ungrateful ones, Abigail, you have no idea. Teddy’s gone, and Tate calls for his brother every day. Last time he even wandered off to the main residence by himself. If the staff hadn’t found him, who knows what could have happened. Finally bringing him back, he cried and shouted that he didn’t want me, he wanted his brother.”

Abigail knew what Kelly was hinting at, feeling guilty for both children. Tate, being older, knew to ask for a brother, but Teddy, being too young, couldn’t even express himself yet.

“Aren’t they just little heartless ones? The great-grandfather missed Teddy so much that he couldn’t sleep, but Teddy only thinks of his brother Tate.” Elder Piers was genuinely jealous.

“Grandfather, don’t be jealous. Who says Teddy doesn’t miss you? Last night, when he saw an old man with a similar back in the community, he pointed and called ‘grandfather.'” Abigail held back her emotions, smiling as she spoke to Elder Piers.

Elder Piers was delighted, bringing his whiskered face close to Teddy, “Did our Teddy miss grandfather?”

“Grandpa, Grandpa…” Teddy was tickled by Elder Piers’s whiskers, tilting his head and calling out “Grandpa.” His bright eyes were full of mischief. Sensing that his great-grandfather was teasing him, he rubbed his little nose against the whiskers, happily calling out “Grandpa” while laughing. His ten little teeth were all showing.

Seeing Teddy laugh, Tate also started laughing. The sight of one larger and one smaller child giggling was endearing, drawing more fondness from Elder Piers.

Abigail watched this scene, both touched and heartbroken. Finally, Kelly noticed that other visitors, intimidated by their bodyguards, kept away from the entrance, forming a long line behind them, and those nearby dared not urge them, only softly reminding the delighted Elder Piers, “Shall we go in?”

Elder Piers snapped back to reality and, realizing they were blocking the way, quickly handed Teddy to Abigail. Their group moved inside.

Abigail glanced awkwardly around as she looked at their exaggerated group. Unexpectedly, she saw a person she had only met once but had left a deep impression. Frowning, she wondered why he was here.