After standing still at the staircase for a few minutes, Mrs. Anderson finally mustered the determination to climb the steps decisively, leaving Tony behind without a word.
Despite his initial suspicions about Lucas Anderson's identity, Tony's doubts were solidified after his confrontation with Mrs. Anderson.
As he walked out of the Anderson living room, Tony reached for his phone in his pocket and placed a call. "Fred, I need you to look into Mrs. Anderson, especially during her pregnancy with Valentine Anderson."
With the conversation over, Tony ended the call, got into his car, and drove away from the Anderson mansion, oblivious to the fact that his visit had already been discovered.
In the soft glow of the dim room, Lucas Anderson sat intently before a canvas, his brushstrokes bringing to life a portrait of himself, Andrea, and Pete.
"You are always hiding your talent from the world," a voice floated through the air, its familiarity removing the need for Lucas to glance toward the speaker. The masked figure standing in the room was easily recognized by his voice and the moon emblem shining on his mask.
Lucas didn't pause his work, the delicate features of Pete's face coming alive under his skillful hand. "Fame and money hold no allure for me," he replied without looking up.
"And love?" the masked man prodded teasingly.
At that, Lucas fell silent, his pace slowing as he painted Pete's eyes.
When no answer came, the masked man continued, a hint of concern in his voice. "Tony visited your mother. If she keeps this up, Andrea will stumble upon the truth before long."
Lucas scoffed, "Tsk! She can't face losing her darling son."
The masked man, though ten years in Lucas's company, could never quite decipher his thoughts. Beyond his artistic prowess, Lucas possessed formidable medical expertise and had made significant contributions to science and technology, but he shunned the spotlight at every turn.
"What's to be done about her?" the masked man pressed, eager for direction.
With a wistful smile, Lucas finally looked up. "Don't kill her. Just... let her rest for a bit. She is still my mother, after all."
Not long after the exchange, the masked man departed silently through the window, leaving Lucas alone with his canvas.
After the masked man departed and the door to the dimly lit room creaked open, the lights flickered on, casting a warm glow over the space filled with captivating artworks.
Lucas Anderson lifted his gaze from the canvas as Andrea entered, a soft smile gracing his features.
"How did you manage to create such a stunning painting in this dim light?" Andrea inquired, her voice filled with awe as she took in the masterpiece before her.
"I find inspiration in the dark," Lucas replied pensively, his mind drifting back to the days he spent in a dark basement, he was treated worse than a dog after the rich couple who bought him from his mother have their own kids.
Andrea, sensing his somber mood, approached him and settled onto his lap, surprising Lucas with her closeness as she gazed into his eyes.
Andrea bent down and planted a kiss on him. "Don't dwell on those sad thoughts. I'm here with you now," she reassured him before wrapping her arms around his neck and resting on his chest, drifting off to sleep.
Lucas Anderson's lips curved into a smile, his eyes sparkling with joy as he gazed at the painting. With admiration in his heart, he gently lifted Andrea and carried her to her room, where he laid her down on the bed.
As the new blockbuster predicted to shatter box office records debuted today, with extensive promotions fueling a frenzy, cinemas everywhere anticipated a deluge of ticket sales.
In the otherwise empty theater, two girls sat idly, one strikingly beautiful and the other concealed behind layers of fabric. Had it not been for her breathtaking companion, the veiled woman might have gone unnoticed. Yet, she wasn't just anyone; she was a celebrity hiding her identity to avoid a fan upheaval.
"Do you think Lucas will come to see the movie, Miss Anne?" the beautiful girl inquired, her voice tinged with hope.
"I'm not sure; he's been ignoring my calls. But he loves movies like this – he's bound to show up," Anne replied, her voice betraying her uncertainty despite the confidence she tried to project, all while wrapped in her disguise.
"I need to use the restroom before it gets busy," the beautiful girl announced, rising to her feet and heading toward the facilities. Stepping out of the auditorium, she heard a child's plea: "Mom, I want chocolate."
The sound rooted her to the spot. Turning toward the voice, she saw Pete and froze. "I'll get one for you," another voice offered. When she saw the man's face, her heart raced.
"Lucas!" she whispered in shock, retreating quickly to the cinema hall where Anne waited.
"Miss Anne, I just saw Lucas with a boy who resembles him," she blurted out, her agitation palpable.
"Show me," Anne demanded urgently, pulling the pretty girl along as they exited the hall and walked toward the concession stand.
Anne called out "Lucas" softly from behind the man and child at the counter, but there was no response.
"Lucas," she tried again, her voice quivering with nerves, her hands balled into anxious fists.
The man, woman, and child turned to face Anne. Recognizing the man, Anne's voice quivered with elation. "Lucas," she said again, stepping forward as if to embrace a long-lost part of her life.