“Hello? Colder, aren’t you coming? We’re already settled in the jet,” Katie said over the phone, her voice carrying a playful impatience.

Calvin stretched his leg onto the small stool before him, leaning back lazily in his chair.

“So it’s already time to fly to Eban for the birthday celebration,” he replied coolly. “Go ahead and enjoy yourselves.”

“But you promised you’d come,” Katie grumbled.

“The project just started,” Calvin answered calmly. “I don’t think I can leave right now.”

Before Katie could respond, another voice echoed faintly through the phone.

“No, Cleo don’t put it there.”

Calvin’s relaxed posture stiffened instantly.

“What?” he asked sharply. “Cleo is going too?”...