"It's fine! Help yourself."
Felix looked up at Lacus with a faint smile as he spoke.
Hearing this, Lacus picked up another morsel of food with her chopsticks and tasted it. While savoring the delicious food, she suddenly asked, "Felix, haven't you considered sharing your suspicions with Chairman Zala?"
"I don't have concrete evidence," Felix replied candidly, lifting his gaze to meet hers.
With a light chuckle, Felix teased, "Do you know who was behind the theft of the Warrior Gundam this time?"
"Who?" Lacus turned to him, her curiosity piqued despite having her own suspicions. Seeing the intrigue on her face, Felix smiled meaningfully.
"Are you really unaware?"
"Please enlighten me," Lacus pressed with a smile.
At this, Felix stated plainly, "Your father!"
Then, Felix shifted the topic. "But don't worry, I've destroyed all the direct evidence."
Hearing this, Lacus deduced Felix's intentions and looked at him with a gentle smile. "Then I thank you."
"Just a verbal thank you?" Felix raised his head, his smile playful. Lacus narrowed her eyes slightly, her smile unwavering as she probed, "What kind of thanks would you like, Felix?"
"That depends on what you're willing to offer!" Felix laughed, tossing the question back to her. Lacus pondered for a moment before suggesting with a smile, "How about I treat you to a meal?"
"Of course," Felix accepted her idea with a chuckle. After agreeing, he glanced at Lacus with a subtle smile.
Feeling his gaze, Lacus suddenly thought her gesture of thanks was too meager, and a sense of embarrassment began to spread, filling her heart. Pressing her lips together, she added, "Felix, consider it a favor owed. If you ever need anything from me in the future, just ask."
"Any request?" Felix studied her, his expression taking on a meaningful smile.
Lacus met his suggestive look, took a bite of the food on the table, and returned his gaze with a hint of mockery. Seeing the teasing smile on her face, Felix soon relented, shrugging as he sat back in his chair. "Just joking."
"What a pity," Lacus feigned disappointment in response.
Watching her act, Felix rolled his eyes and ignored her dramatic antics. Seeing that Felix had fallen silent and was no longer engaging, Lacus dropped her playful facade and quietly continued her meal.
11:30 PM.
"I said I'd go back and think it over carefully, and I look forward to your response."
After finishing the meal, Felix looked at Lacus and spoke again.
Hearing this, Lacus smiled slightly and nodded.
"I will think it over carefully and also look forward to time proving everything."
"Mm."
...
A few days later,
Aprilius City District 1 Central Hospital
In Nicol's intensive care unit
"Captain Griffith, you're here."
Romina, who was keeping vigil by the bed, saw Felix's arrival, suppressed the grief on her face, forced a smile, and stood up to greet him.
Felix looked at Nicol's mother, placed the gift in his hand on the table, and offered comfort.
"Aunt Romina, please don't be too sad. Make sure to rest properly, so you don't exhaust yourself before Nicol even wakes up."
"Thank you."
Hearing his words of comfort, Romina nodded slightly and expressed her gratitude.
After speaking, Romina turned her gaze back to her son on the hospital bed. Seeing the bandages covering his body and the various medical devices beside him, her eyes couldn't help but well up with tears again.
She reached out to tuck the blanket around her son once more, then sat back in her chair, lost in sorrow.
Seeing this, Felix didn't know how to comfort her further.
He pulled up a chair, sat down, and looked at Nicol, talking to him as if keeping him company.
"You've slept long enough, kid. Don't keep sleeping like this. Open your eyes and see the people who love you. Don't let them worry about you anymore."
"I heard you're quite good at playing the piano, but I've never had the chance to hear you play. Hurry up and wake up so I can listen to you play a piece.
Let me experience a bit of artistic refinement too."
While talking to Nicol in this way, a faint sound of the door opening caught Felix's attention.
Turning to look, he saw Nicol's father, Yuri, entering the room.
"Felix, you're here."
Seeing Felix in the room, Yuri spoke up.
Standing up to face Councilman Yuri, Felix raised his hand in a salute.
"Councilman Yuri, hello."
"No need for that. Here, I'm just Nicol's father. You can call me Uncle Yuri or Uncle Amalfi."
Hearing Felix's polite and respectful reply, Yuri concealed the pain on his face and spoke in a gentle tone.
Felix nodded in response.
"Uncle Yuri."
"Mm."
Yuri smiled slightly and responded kindly.
He then turned to look at his wife and then at his son on the bed, addressing his wife.
"Romina,..."
"Don't talk to me!"
Hearing her husband's voice, Romina's expression turned stern as she directly cut off what Yuri was about to say. Seeing his wife's angry demeanor, Yuri could only obediently close his mouth.
"Well, Uncle Yuri, Aunt Romina, I have some matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave now."
Sensing the tension between the couple, Felix realized he shouldn't stay any longer. After a moment's thought, he excused himself, citing other commitments.
Upon hearing Felix's words, both stood up to see him out.
"Uncle, Aunt, there's no need to see me off. Please stay here and take care of Nicol."
Seeing their intention to escort him, Felix declined their gesture with a smile. With that, he headed out of the hospital room.
"In that case, we won't see you out. Take care on your way."
Yuri looked at Felix and offered a word of caution.
After Yuri, Romina also gave Felix some words of advice.
"Be careful on the road."
"Thank you, Uncle and Aunt. I will."
Nodding, Felix replied to the two of them.
After speaking, he turned and walked out of the hospital room.
Watching Felix leave, Yuri wore an apologetic expression and lowered his attitude as he pleaded with his wife.
"Romina, please don't be angry anymore. Staying angry isn't good for your health."
Hearing this, Romina glanced at her husband, then fixed her gaze on their son. After a long silence, she spoke.
"I can understand your perspective. I know that as a council member, you have to set an example. I've tried to persuade myself not to blame you, but every time I see our son in this state, I just can't help it."
At this point, Romina turned to face her husband and continued, shifting her tone.
"So let's wait until our son wakes up before we discuss anything else!"
"Alright."
Hearing this, Yuri sighed and replied.
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