Family

Although the power had been restored and communications were back online, Louis still stayed home because the weekend followed Friday.

Bala had prepared breakfast and was serving Dr. Feranchi and his grandson Louis.

She poured them both a glass of milk before asking, "Doctor, are you feeling better?"

Dr. Feranchi rubbed his lower back and smiled. "Nothing serious. I just bumped into something."

Bala patted her chest. "That's good. I saw on the news that there was a shootout at last night's memorial. Several people were unfortunately shot. Though their lives weren't in danger, it was still an entirely undeserved disaster! Doctor, you were incredibly lucky."

She still remembered Dr. Feranchi's appearance when he had returned last night, supporting his lower back. It really had been a close call.

"What could possibly be wrong?" Dr. Feranchi opened the newspaper and spoke as he read. "I was only bumped into by someone fleeing the disaster. You're too nervous."

Bala shook her head, then remembered something. "Oh, right. Doctor, I received a call from Mr. Orphi half an hour ago. He said he was on his way home and had something to discuss with you. He hopes you'll wait for him."

Dr. Feranchi frowned and glanced down at Louis, who was eating in silence with his head lowered. He said unhappily, "What, he didn't come home at all last night?"

"He said it was something urgent."

Dr. Feranchi snorted softly and said nothing more.

Not long afterward, Mr. Orphi returned home. He told Bala to take Louis outside to play in the yard, then called Dr. Feranchi into the study.

Mr. Orphi said nothing. He merely paced restlessly around the study, his gaze never leaving Dr. Feranchi. He looked like a parent watching a child who had done something wrong, so furious