?<strong>Chapter 534:</strong>


    Allie suggested, “Should we travel together?”


    Joelle and Adrian looked at each other. They were open to the idea, as they were keen to understand more about Allie and her rtionship with Rafael.


    “Sure,” Joelle replied, giving Rafael a curious look. “Aurora hasn’t seen you in quite some time.”


    As Rafael’s face briefly took on an awkward expression, Allie quickly jumped into the conversation with Joelle.


    “Aurora is your daughter, right? I saw her thest time. She’s such a pretty little girl, looks just like her biological father!”


    Joelle smiled and responded, “She takes after me a bit too, doesn’t she?”


    Before Rafael could say anything, Allie had already steered the conversation in a new direction.


    Allie was an enigma. Earlier, she had been too timid to speak with strangers, yet here she was,fortably engaging Joelle, whom she hardly knew.


    Aurora was conversing with a woman nearby who was holding a baby, and Joelle called her back. They continued their conversation as they walked alongside Allie.


    Trailing behind, the three men—Adrian nked by the others—walked together. Adrian inquired about Rafael’s current circumstances.


    “Aren’t you nning to go back home?”


    Rafael would have liked to return, but Allie was keeping his passport and ID card, only giving them to him for travel. Moreover, he was entangled in a debt rtionship with Allie. Until he cleared his debt, he couldn’t free himself.


    Ironically, it was originally the Myers family who owed him money, yet now the roles seemed reversed. The debtor now held the upper hand.


    “I’m not nning to return anytime soon,” Rafael responded.


    Adrian expressed his understanding.


    “I’ve been keeping an eye on your mother and sister. After Liza lost the baby, she and your mom have been struggling. If you need me to look after them, just let me know.”


    “There’s no need,” Rafael said, his demeanor turning stoic. “They have to deal with the fallout of their decisions.”


    Adrian nodded, epting his stance. “Then I’ll stay out of it.”


    Michael said, “Rafael, what’s the deal with you and that young girl? Are you two an item?”


    With a look of resignation, Rafael replied, “It’s quite ridiculous, isn’t it?”


    Judging the rtionship between Rafael and Allie, with their ten-year age difference, was not appropriate for outsiders. Thus, Michael could only offer, “Congrattions.”


    In a tone of concern, Rafael inquired, “How have you been? I regret that I was overseas when Lacey passed away.”


    Michael had epted his loss and wore a silver ring symbolizing hismitment to Lacey. “I’ve realized that life is simply made up of days. I need to live joyfully so that Lacey can be at peace watching over me.”


    “That’s a healthy perspective to have.” Adrian gave Michael a supportive pat on the shoulder. He was aware of the struggles Michael had endured to reach this stage of eptance. Following Lacey’s passing, Michael had withdrawn and let his health slide, almost as if he wanted to join Lacey.


    He copsed one day, prompting his family to intervene and rescue him, which led to a bout of severe drinking. It was not until he consulted with three psychologists that Michael gradually began to recover.


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