In the "disadvantageous situation" where he had to handle everything himself, Castle found that his grand project, which was supposed to be completed quickly according to his original plan, was delayed by the numerous innovative designs he had implemented. By the time the assembly phase arrived, he had consumed a significant amount of time. He spent the entire summer immersed in his work, and even after his daughter started school, the task remained unfinished.
However, with his daughter about to begin a new chapter in her academic journey, Castle wasn't about to remain holed up in his mechanical lab. His daughter had finally grown up and had chosen to attend a university close to home. This decision filled the doting father with immense pride and satisfaction. Determined to make an impression, he insisted on personally escorting his daughter to school.
Alexis had chosen to attend Columbia University, which had been a natural progression. In the U.S., SAT scores and recommendation letters are key factors for college admissions. For most people, obtaining these letters can be a formidable challenge, but for Castle, it was a breeze. Despite his infamous record of being expelled from every private high school in New York City, Castle was a well-known figure in the city. Obtaining a recommendation letter was simple for him. He reached out to his friends, including the mayor, who was one of his fans, and even Benjamin Arthur, the current president, both of whom gladly provided recommendations. With these high-profile endorsements, Alexis' acceptance into Columbia was essentially guaranteed.
However, at the moment, the red-haired beauty was fuming. She couldn't believe her father, who was clearly overexcited, refused to abandon his plan to personally accompany her to school.
"Oh my God, I'm almost eighteen! Having my dad drop me off on the first day of school? Are you serious? My classmates will laugh me to death!" Alexis thought in frustration.
Beckett, now visibly pregnant, had already left for work, leaving no one to help Alexis stop her over-the-top father. Alexis had previously made it clear that she planned to continue living in her Manhattan apartment even after starting college. Since Columbia's campus was less than three kilometers from her building, she could easily walk there by cutting through Central Park. The idea of her father driving her to school felt excessive and unnecessary.
Over the past year, Alexis had been living alone in Manhattan and was more than capable of taking care of herself. She considered herself an adult. But none of these arguments mattered to Castle.
In Castle's mind, rooted in certain traditional beliefs, age didn't change his view. "Eighteen, eighty—it doesn't matter! You'll always be my little girl!"
Unable to win the argument, Alexis reluctantly climbed into her father's car. She spent the entire drive grumbling about his antics, protesting as he used the excuse of wanting to tour Columbia's campus to justify escorting her there.
Fortunately, once they arrived, Castle didn't make things too difficult for her. After parking the car, he let Alexis handle her registration on her own while claiming he wanted to explore the campus. They agreed on a spot to meet later, and Castle strode off, hands in his pockets, adopting a swagger that said he owned the place.
Alexis could only roll her eyes, fully aware of her father's true intentions. He had no need to "explore" Columbia—he had taken her there countless times when she was younger. Their home was also so close that this wasn't unfamiliar territory at all.
Still, Alexis wasn't entirely sure what her father was plotting this time.
However, Castle really didn't have any hidden agenda today. Alexis' life had veered off its previous course due to a series of events. Originally, she was supposed to have fallen in love during her junior year of high school and followed her boyfriend to Stanford. But after being kidnapped by a Japanese spy and taken to Hawaii, that relationship never materialized. Moreover, reconnecting with her grandfather and witnessing several major incidents in New York had shifted her perspective. She had matured significantly, particularly after completing a social internship at the 12th Precinct and the joint command center led by Joe Martinez of the FBI.
Castle wasn't overly concerned about whether Alexis had a boyfriend. He understood the cultural norms in the U.S. and was open to letting his daughter experience relationships. However, Alexis herself had become disinterested in dating immature high school boys who had little in common with her. These boys were still obsessed with skateboarding and celebrity gossip, while Alexis had faced the trauma of a national-level intelligence operation.
The difference between their worlds was too vast.
Moreover, Alexis had grown up in privilege, especially after Castle adopted an Eastern philosophy of "raising daughters in luxury." With someone like Gianna—who came from an established family—mentoring her, Alexis developed a mature outlook on life. She understood the responsibilities and challenges that came with her family's sudden wealth and status. Unlike many others her age, she had no desire to leave home and assert her independence recklessly.
"The world may be exciting, but it's also incredibly dangerous. Why risk my safety when I can stay in New York and experience everything here under proper protection?" Alexis often thought.
Castle's approach to raising his daughter had paid off. Alexis had grown into a well-rounded and sensible young woman. This knowledge gave Castle peace of mind as he wandered through Columbia's campus. He was relieved that his daughter had chosen to stay within his sphere of influence. If she had decided to move to the chaotic West Coast or some other distant place, he would have been far more anxious.
Now that Alexis was settled, Castle could focus on his projects. However, he still faced a major problem: finding someone capable of organizing and refining the disorganized technologies he had developed. This person would need to understand both technology and business operations to maximize the value of Castle's innovations.
Finding someone like that was no easy task.
After receiving a call from Alexis asking him to head home, Castle cheerfully agreed. She had made it clear that she didn't want him randomly interfering with her college life. Satisfied that her security team was in place, Castle left Columbia's campus without any worries.
But instead of returning to his estate, he made a detour to the 12th Precinct. Since he was already in the city, why not take the opportunity to check on Beckett or chat with Esposito and the others? It would be a shame to waste the trip.
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