Chapter 7 - The True Legacy
Two weeks later.
The dark autumn clouds had finally cleared over the Cheshire countryside, leaving behind a crisp, golden afternoon filled with clear blue skies and warm sunlight.
At the end of a long, private oak-lined drive stood Rosewood Manor—a magnificent stone estate surrounded by fifty acres of rolling green hills, manicured gardens, and ancient trees.
On the wide rear stone patio, Alexander Roses sat in a comfortable wicker chair. He was dressed in a simple cashmere sweater and casual trousers, holding a warm cup of black coffee in his hands. He looked younger, relaxed, and at peace for the first time in six years.
On the green lawn twenty yards away, two puppies were tumbling over each other in the sun.
One was the tan-and-white puppy, now healthy, energetic, and wearing a soft red leather collar. The other was the small white puppy—her leg held in a light fiberglass cast, but her tail wagging furiously as she wrestled her brother in the grass.
The glass patio doors slid open, and Dr. Sarah Lin walked out onto the terrace, carrying a clipboard.
"They're recovering remarkably well, Mr. Roses," Dr. Lin said with a warm smile, watching the two dogs play. "The white one—you named her Clara, right?"
Alexander’s eyes softened as he watched the white puppy pounce on a fallen oak leaf. "Yes. Clara."
"Clara’s bone is knitting perfectly," Dr. Lin reported. "She’ll be out of that cast in ten days. And the tan one—Leo—has taken on the role of her personal bodyguard. He doesn't let her out of his sight for a second."
"He never did," Alexander said softly. "From the first second he found me on Peter Street."
Lionel walked out onto the patio, holding a leather folder. "Sir, the news from Tokyo just came through. The Japanese board fired their entire executive team involved in Julian’s scheme. They’ve submitted a new merger proposal on your terms—offering five hundred million pounds instead of four hundred."
Alexander took a slow sip of his coffee. He didn't look at the folder.
"Tell them I’ll review it next month, Lionel," Alexander said calmly. "I'm busy."
Lionel blinked in surprise. "Busy, sir?"
Alexander looked down at the lawn. Leo had noticed him sitting on the patio, stopped playing, and came bounding across the grass at full speed, his paws skittering over the stone flags before he leaped onto Alexander's lap, his tail thumping against the chair.
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Alexander caught the dog easily, laughing a rich, deep laugh that echoed across the quiet estate.
"I have far more important business to attend to now, Lionel," Alexander said, rubbing Leo’s ears.
