Chapter sixty. Philip arrived at the Hawkins mansion a few minutes after seven in the evening.He parked his car and remained seated for a moment, staring at the house through the windshield. He had visited this place countless times since marrying Elena, but lately, every visit made him feel like an outsider.He had spent years believing that marrying Elena meant becoming part of her family. Now, he wasn't sure whether they had ever truly accepted him.His phone vibrated and he saw that it was a message from Mark.Mark: Are you at the mansion already?Philip typed a quick reply.Philip: Just arrived. I'll call you when I'm done.Mark: Be careful. Don't let him control the conversation.Philip stared at the message before locking his phone.That was easier said than done.Tyrel Hawkins was a man who could make a simple conversation feel like an interrogation. He rarely raised his voice, and he never needed to. He had a way of making people feel as though they were already losing an a

Chapter sixty two Philip drove away from the Hawkins mansion with his mind occupied by the conversation he had just had with Tyrel.Tyrel had denied knowing about the medical records from 2009, but Philip couldn't forget the brief change in his expression when he mentioned them. It had been quick, almost unnoticeable, yet Philip had spent enough time around Tyrel to recognise when something caught him off guard.What bothered him most was the offer of a clean slate.Tyrel had spent weeks treating his questions as an insult to the Hawkins family. Now, he suddenly wanted peace. Philip couldn't decide whether the man was genuinely trying to settle their differences or simply wanted him to stop digging.His phone rang while he was waiting at a traffic light. Mark's name appeared on the screen.Philip answered through the car's hands-free system."You're calling at the right time.""That sounds like you had an interesting evening," Mark replied. "How did it go?"Philip gave a humourless

Chapter Sixty-FourPhilip arrived at the office the following morning with little sleep behind him.Elena's question from the previous night kept returning to his mind.Did he still love her?He had spent so long trying to uncover her secrets that he had barely stopped to consider what would happen if he actually found the answers. The DNA result had changed something in him, but it had not erased everything that happened at the hotel.He still remembered the mysterious man behind the locked door. He remembered Elena's voice, the words she had used, and the way she had spoken about keeping him on a leash.Yet when he thought about the boys, he found himself wondering if he had allowed suspicion to control him for too long.Philip rubbed his face before stepping out of the elevator.He needed to concentrate on the company. The product launch was approaching, and the gala was only a few days away. Whatever was happening in his marriage, he couldn't afford to let it affect his work."Go

Chapter sixty six Philip arrived at the office earlier than usual the next morning, determined to finish his work before the gala.He had barely entered his office when his phone rang."Have you found anything?" he asked, answering Mark's call."Good morning to you too," Mark replied.Philip dropped into his chair. "Mark, please. Not today.""Fine. I checked the man you told me about. His name is Victor Dane."Philip's expression hardened. He was not quite sure if that was the name but he remembered his face clearly. Their encounter at the bar had ended badly, and Philip had never expected to see him again. "What does he want at my gala?""That's what I'm trying to find out. He isn't listed as an investor, a business partner, or a representative of any company connected to the launch.""Then who invited him?""I haven't traced the request to a person yet. The pass was requested through the same external event account responsible for the other changes."Philip leaned forward."Adria

Chapter sixty eight The opening presentation began twenty minutes later.Philip stood on the stage beneath the company's logo, addressing the assembled guests with the confidence expected of a man leading the business.He spoke about the company's growth, the work his team had invested in the new product, and the opportunities it would create for their partners.The audience listened attentively.From the side of the stage, Linda watched the presentation while monitoring the event schedule. She had worked hard to ensure everything ran smoothly, and so far, the arrangements were holding.When Philip finished, the ballroom filled with applause.He stepped down from the stage and shook hands with several investors.Elena approached him with a proud smile."You were wonderful." She said Philip looked at her."Thank you."She adjusted his tie, her fingers lingering against his chest."I'm proud of you, Philip."The words caught him off guard.For a moment, he saw the woman he had marrie