The sight of Cullen's encouraging smile lifted Sabrina's spirits instantly. Her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as she launched into a detailed description of her favorite foods. Cullen listened with genuine interest, nodding occasionally as she elaborated on each dish with childlike excitement.

When Sabrina finally paused to take a breath, Niall seized the opportunity to compliment her.

"Sa, you look absolutely stunning today. That outfit really brings out your eyes," Niall said warmly.

Sabrina's face lit up with delight. "You really think so?"

"Without a doubt," Niall affirmed with a gentle smile. "How was school today? Did you make any new friends?"

Their conversation flowed naturally, Sabrina animatedly describing her day with wide gestures and infectious laughter. Meanwhile, Cullen maintained his composed demeanor, methodically enjoying his meal at an unhurried pace, occasionally glancing at them with a hint of a smile.

A passing waitress, oblivious to the complexity of their relationship, observed the three of them with admiration. She mistakenly assumed they were a traditional family unit and couldn't help casting an envious look at Niall.

In the middle of sharing a particularly amusing story from her art class, Sabrina's phone buzzed. The screen displayed an incoming video call from Veronica. It was the call she'd requested that morning before school, but now, engrossed in her conversation with Niall, she found herself reluctant to answer.

Earlier that day, seeing Veronica hugging another child had stirred uncomfortable feelings in Sabrina's heart. However, during class, her teacher had given a reassuring lesson about parents' love. The teacher had explained that a parent's heart was uniquely designed to love each of their children completely and that every child held a special, irreplaceable position in their mother's affection. This perspective had soothed Sabrina's initial insecurities.

When Veronica noticed her call going unanswered, concern crept into her mind. She decided to contact Catherine for reassurance.

Catherine was supervising the children's rest area when she received Veronica's call. "Sa is doing fine," she explained cheerfully. "She's actually on a video call with her father and a woman at the moment. Would you like me to interrupt and let her know—"

"That won't be necessary," Veronica interjected softly.

She quickly pieced together that Sabrina must be speaking with Cullen and Niall, likely during their lunch together. Her voice remained steady as she added, "It's perfectly fine. Let them enjoy their conversation."

After ending the call with Catherine, Veronica opted instead to send Sabrina a thoughtful text message. She inquired about her day at school, asked if she'd made any new friends, and wanted to know what she'd had for lunch. She also included gentle reminders to listen attentively to her teacher and to rest properly during naptime.

More than ten minutes passed before Veronica received a brief voice message from Sabrina: "Got it, Mom."

As the afternoon progressed, Veronica spent considerable time with Miranda and developed a clearer understanding of her personality. Miranda was evidently extroverted, socially adept, and demonstrated impressive competence in her professional responsibilities.

Around six in the evening, as Veronica was preparing to leave for the day, Miranda approached her with a warm smile.

"I'd love to treat you to dinner as a small thank you for all your guidance today," Miranda offered earnestly.

Veronica responded with a polite smile. "That's simply part of my responsibilities. There's really no need for such formalities, Ms. Edison."

Miranda persisted gently, but before she could make another attempt at persuasion, Veronica's phone rang.

The caller ID displayed "Seraphine Patrick" – her mother-in-law's name.

Veronica blinked in disbelief, almost certain she had misread the screen. Seraphine had consistently maintained a cool distance from her throughout their relationship, rarely initiating contact unless absolutely essential. In all the years of knowing her, Veronica could count on one hand the number of times Seraphine had voluntarily reached out.

Puzzled by this unexpected call, Veronica answered with a tentative, "Mom?"

Seraphine's voice came through sharp and commanding: "Leo's been secretly participating in car races. I don't trust his judgment right now. I'm sending you the address. Go bring him back."

Without waiting for a response, Seraphine ended the call. Seconds later, a text message arrived containing an address.

Veronica glanced at the location – a racetrack situated on the outskirts of the city. Turning apologetically to Miranda, she explained, "I'm sorry, but something urgent has come up. I need to leave immediately."

Approximately an hour later, Veronica arrived at the racetrack. The venue was sprawling and surprisingly active despite the evening hour. The atmosphere buzzed with the roaring of engines and animated conversations among spectators and participants alike.

Veronica attempted to reach Leo repeatedly on his phone, but each call went unanswered. Left with no alternative, she began navigating through the crowded venue on foot, scanning faces in the dim evening light.

After nearly twenty minutes of weaving through throngs of racing enthusiasts, she finally spotted Leo's familiar silhouette near one of the main tracks.

When their eyes met, Leo's expression transformed from concentration to utter astonishment.

"Veronica? What on earth are you doing here?" His voice reflected genuine surprise, tinged with something resembling embarrassment.

Veronica took a deep breath before explaining that Seraphine had contacted her, concerned about his participation in these races, and had instructed her to bring him home.