Blimey, My Kid's the Heir to the Billionaire Boss!

"What's up with you?" Sadie asked, her voice low. She had this gut feeling something was off but couldn't quite put her finger on it.

"Handling some HQ stuff in Country F," Micah rasped. "Got a bit banged up."

"You okay?" Sadie frowned. She remembered when Micah got stabbed and didn't even flinch while getting stitched up. His voice now? Definitely not a small thing. "You worried about me?" Micah asked softly.

"The kids are," Sadie shot back, her tone turning icy as she handed the phone to Noah. "It's your dad."

Noah grabbed the phone, practically yelling, "Dad!"

"Noah," Micah replied gently. He'd been dying to hear Noah's voice. Hearing him call 'Dad' now, the pain in his body seemed to ease a bit.

"Dad, you okay?" Noah asked, worried. "Why'd you turn off your phone? We couldn't reach you. What's going on?"

"Handling stuff in Country F, hard to take calls," Micah explained gently. "It's freezing in Skyport City. You and Mia doing okay? How's Mia's health?"

"Mia and I are good. She's getting better," Noah said, dodging the real issue, not mentioning their situation in Country C.

"That's good," Micah smiled.

"Noah, is it Daddy?" Mia heard and ran over, "Let me talk."

Noah handed the phone to Mia, and she immediately shouted, "Daddy, Daddy."

"Mia," Micah called gently.

Mia started crying hearing Micah's voice, "Daddy, I miss you so much. Why didn't you call us?"

"Mia, be good. I miss you too," Micah comforted her gently. "Been busy in Country F, hard to stay in touch."

"You scared me. Noah and I were so worried, thought something happened to you," Mia pouted, wiping her tears.

"Mia, I'm fine. It's super cold in Skyport City, so stay warm and don't get sick. Once you're better, I'll come get you," Micah reassured, his voice tinged with concern.

Mia, bubbling with excitement, blurted out, "We're not in Skyport City. We're in Grapetown Heights. It's so pretty here, with lots of grapes."

Noah shot Mia a warning look, but she kept going, "This afternoon, I went to the winery with Dr. Henry. We picked a ton of grapes. They were so yummy. Oh, and we also went to the ranch..." "Mia!" Noah cut her off, "Let me talk."

"Oh," Mia handed the phone back reluctantly.

"Mia, be good. Go play with your cousins," Sadie coaxed her away.

"Dad, you really okay?" Noah asked softly.

"I'm fine," Micah reassured. "Don't worry; you'll see me on the agreed date."

"That's good," Noah smiled.

"Give the phone to your mom," Micah instructed.

"Okay," Noah handed the phone to Sadie, looking a bit worried.

"You go play too," Sadie said, patting his head.

"Okay," Noah left, looking downcast.

Sadie answered, "Anything else?"

"Why'd you go to Country C?" Micah asked directly.

"What's it to you?" Sadie shot back coldly.

Micah took a deep breath, trying hard to keep his cool, and said earnestly, "If there's trouble in Country E, just go back to Newark. My people will protect you. No need to go to Country C. The Louis Family might be royalty, but they don't know squat about dealing with the dark forces..."

"Enough," Sadie cut him off sharply, "Tristan's got people protecting me. You don't need to worry. If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up."