Leila's abrupt departure from the meeting room left the branch leaders in shock and confusion.
Without uttering a word, she swiftly made her way to her waiting car, where a driver was ready to take her to her son's location.
Earlier, when Daniel had fallen asleep in her arms, they had safely travelled to the private island she owned aboard her private jet.
After a smooth and comfortable flight, they landed on the island.
As they stepped onto the sandy shores, a wave of tranquillity washed over them.
The island's natural beauty was breathtaking—lush vegetation, pristine beaches, and clear turquoise waters stretching as far as the eye could see.
"I kinda missed this place… now that I'm seeing it properly, I realise just how extraordinary and beautiful it is,"
Daniel remarked, taking his time to admire the exclusive villa that would be their home—a secluded haven nestled in the island's tropical paradise.
"I'm glad you like it, sweetie," Leila replied.
"From now on, this will be our place, our home," she said, coming up behind him to wrap him in a warm hug.
"Yeah… our home," he murmured, gazing at the horizon over the sea with hope and anticipation for the future.
Minutes later, they strolled along the beach, feeling the soft sand beneath their feet and the gentle touch of the ocean breeze.
They explored the island's hidden gems, discovering secluded coves and enjoying water activities that brought joy and laughter.
Leila cherished every moment, nurturing their bond and creating memories to last a lifetime.
This was an island free from the reach of governments, a place where no military could track its location.
Thanks to Tess's advanced technological interference, no unwanted visitor could set foot on the island without permission.
Furthermore, the island had been equipped with countless hidden artillery installations, making it nearly impossible for intruders to succeed.
Only a fool would willingly die on this island.
It was a paradise where one needn't worry about laws, as long as they didn't break them.
In other words, they had freedom—freedom that many others, deprived of their own countries, could only dream of.
The island was home to a population of roughly 300,000.
Eventually, they returned to the villa.
At one point, Daniel was alone in his room when Leila entered without even knocking.
She was greeted by an adorable sight—her son admiring the clothes she had bought him in the mirror.
"Do you like the clothes I bought for you? Are they to your taste?"
She asked, smiling as she chuckled at him.
"Mom! You almost shocked me! Can't you knock next time?"
"Hm? Why would I need your permission? Isn't everything mine to begin with?"
Leila joked, emphasising the word mine as her eyes glistened while she gazed at him.
Oblivious to her stare, Daniel continued admiring himself in the mirror.
"I honestly like these clothes a lot… and I wouldn't even want to ask how much they cost."
"But… what are they made from again? The Nano Technology Tess created?" he asked.
"Oh? You even know about Tess? I guess that's not surprising, considering you came from the future."
Leila's doubts about her son's origin vanished. It was time to discuss the plan.
She walked over to his bed and sat down comfortably, watching him enjoy his new clothes for a moment before taking a deep breath and speaking.
"Son, if you know the name Tess, then you've probably heard of the remaining Branch Leaders and—my plan for the future is to—"
"To rule the world, right?"
Daniel interrupted, stopping his admiration in the mirror and turning to face her seriously.
Shocked to her core, Leila's eyes wavered. Her body trembled as she bit her lips.
"So… even you know about that too…"
She murmured, bowing her head in disappointment at herself.
It felt as though what Daniel had just revealed was taboo.
She closed her eyes, bracing herself for whatever words he might speak.
"No… I don't think 'know' is the right word. Perhaps 'ignorant' fits better," he said.
Daniel sat beside her, letting out a sigh that carried a mix of emotions before gently holding her hand.
"Sweetie?"
Surprised by his sudden action, Leila looked into his eyes and was stunned by their clarity.
She had expected ridicule or disappointment, but instead, there was none—only understanding.
"In the future I lived… no, more precisely, before I returned, I was ignorant. I didn't realise how fortunate I was," he admitted.
"All this time, I'd been pretending and running away. Perhaps I would have realised it eventually, but hatred clouded my judgment. Now, after experiencing everything, I see how ambitious you are."
"I understand the struggles you've endured… every single bit of them."
Leila's heart trembled with fear.
'Will he judge me? Will he hate me? Will he leave me?'
Questions swirled relentlessly in her mind, weakening her resolve with the fear of her son despising her.
But she was wrong.
Daniel gently squeezed her hand, his gaze never leaving hers.
"Leila… you've done everything for me, even without knowing the future I would face. I don't judge you, I don't resent you, and I certainly don't hate you."
A wave of relief washed over her, her body relaxing slightly as the tension in her shoulders melted.
"I… I was so scared," she admitted softly, her voice trembling.
"I thought… I thought you'd hate me for what I've done, for wanting… for wanting more."
Daniel shook his head, smiling warmly.
"Ambition isn't something to fear''
''It's who you are. I know now that your strength, your determination, even your dreams… they all come from love—for me, for this family, for the future. That's nothing to fear."
Leila's eyes glistened, tears forming at the corners. "But… what if I fail? What if I bring you danger instead?"
"Then I'll be right there with you," Daniel said firmly.
"This time, I won't let you shoulder anything alone. No matter how impossible it seems, we face it together. You're my mother, and I love you. That's all that matters."
Her heart swelled at his words, a mixture of pride, relief, and something deeper she hadn't expected.
She wanted to say something, to express everything she felt, but words faltered under the weight of her emotions.
Daniel noticed her hesitation and leaned closer, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
"We'll make mistakes. We'll face failures. But I promise, we'll also make victories. And I'll always be by your side, like you've always been by mine."
Leila's lips trembled into a soft smile, tears slipping freely now.
"I… I love you, Daniel," she whispered.
"I love you too, Mom," he replied, holding her hand tightly.
In that quiet room, the weight of the past, the uncertainties of the future, and the chaos of their lives melted away.
All that remained was trust, love, and the unbreakable bond between mother and son.
However, his act of kindness became nourishment for the seeds she had locked away in her heart—seeds she had vowed never to let grow.
Now, they were sprouting, and no one—not even Daniel or herself—knew what would bloom from them.
"Well, I don't mind your ambitions of taking the world," he said lightly.
"I see this as an opportunity to bring balance to the chaos that's bound to come."
"It's also a chance for the organisations to scout potential people—those who one day could become the backbone of humanity against the monsters in the future."
"For now, I want to get some fresh air. I'll compile a list of these potential people later."
Without waiting for her reaction, he left the room.
Minutes after he departed, Leila slowly regained her composure.
Her fingers instinctively touched the spot where Daniel had planted a kiss on her forehead.
'He… kissed my forehead?'
A wide smile spread across her face, but it wasn't a pure, innocent smile.
It was a smile that sent shivers down the spine, her violet eyes shimmering with strange, unidentifiable shades—hints of emotions even she hadn't fully understood.