In the Royal Dragon Pavilion, deep within the refined quiet of the lotus room, the atmosphere was solemn and heavy.
Delicate steam curled from porcelain teacups on the low table, but no one reached for their drinks. All eyes were fixed on Clyde, whose posture was rigid, as if afraid to finish what he had started saying.
The silence stretched.
Worry, pity, disbelief, and helplessness. Each emotion flickered across the faces of those present, flashing like warning signs.
Especially Lin Heye's. His heart ached. He never thought Micah would exclude Clyde like this. He opened his mouth after a moment, his voice hoarse with something dangerously close to sorrow. "You… you mean he didn't say anything about his birthday?"
Clyde gave a tight nod, his eyes lowered, fixated on the rim of his teacup. His fingers rested loosely around it, unmoving.
