Chapter Sixty-NinePhilip kept one hand around Elena's waist as he watched the man approach them.The man's smile remained on his face, but there was something unpleasant about it. He looked like someone who had come to collect something that belonged to him and had no intention of leaving without it."Elena," he greeted. “You look ravishing.” She swallowed and forced herself to smile."What are you doing here?"The man glanced at Philip."Is that how you welcome someone you haven't seen in a long time?" he asked."Now isn't the time," Elena whispered."Then when will it be?" he asked. "I've waited long enough."Philip's expression hardened."Excuse me. Who are you?" he asked, his brows arched. The man turned toward him, studying his face with an interest that made Philip uncomfortable."So this is the infamous Philip Hawkins."Philip frowned. He looked at Elena and back at the man in front of him. "You know me?" he asked."Of course I do. You're a difficult man not to know, especi

Chapter Seventy-OnePhilip stared at Mark's message, his fingers tightening around his phone.I found something concerning the DNA report. Call me as soon as you can. Don't discuss it with Elena or Tyrel.He read it twice before lifting his eyes toward Elena. Nothing was making sense anymore. He could have sworn he saw right. He could have sworn the test was real. The samples taken, the doctors words about the authentication and the result. Everything was right. So, how come? She was still standing beside him, smiling as Sophia spoke to one of the guests. Nothing about her appearance suggested that she had spent the last few minutes arguing with a man who threatened to expose the truth about her children.Philip wondered how many times he had looked at her without realizing she was hiding something."Are you waiting for someone?" Elena asked when she noticed him looking at his phone."No. Just a message from work.""Is everything all right?""Everything is fine."She studied his f

Chapter seventy three Philip stood motionless outside the half-open door, his mind racing as Tyrel's words replayed in his head.Find out who has been helping him. And make sure the original records never reach his hands.His fingers curled at his sides.Tyrel wasn't merely aware of his investigation. He was trying to stop it.Philip wanted to push the door open and demand an explanation, but he knew that would be a mistake. If Tyrel discovered how much he had overheard, he would become even more careful.For now, Philip needed to know who the Tyrel had called.Inside the room, Tyrel sighed."Keep me informed. I don't want any surprises this time."He ended the call.Philip immediately stepped away from the door and moved toward the corridor leading back to the ballroom. He had barely reached the corner when he heard the door open behind him."Philip?"He stopped. His heart was racing like hell. Tyrel stood a few feet away, holding his phone. His expression was calm, but his eyes m

Chapter Seventy-FiveFor several seconds, the mysterious man said nothing.Philip tightened his grip on the man's arm, watching his face for any sign that might reveal the truth."Why aren't you answering me?" Philip demanded. "Are you one of my sons' fathers?"The man slowly lowered his gaze to Philip's hand."You seem to have developed a habit of grabbing people whenever they refuse to answer your questions.""Then stop giving me reasons to do it."A faint smile crossed the man's face, but it disappeared almost immediately."Let go of me, Philip. We both know this conversation won't end well if you lose your temper."Philip released him, though he remained standing between the man and the exit."I'm waiting.""And I'm deciding whether telling you anything is worth the trouble it will bring me."Philip stared at him in disbelief."You approached me. You gave me your number, brought up my children, and started talking about my father-in-law. Now you're acting as though I'm the one wa

Chapter Seventy-SevenPhilip barely slept that night.Every time he closed his eyes, he remembered the mysterious man's words.The date had been sitting in front of him for days, hidden in the files he found on Elena's secret phone. Until tonight, he had treated it as another suspicious detail connected to the DNA investigation.Now, he wasn't so sure.The man had known his original surname. He had known about the DNA test, and he had spoken about the original medical records as though he understood exactly why they mattered.Philip couldn't tell whether the man wanted to help him or was simply using him to get something from Elena. But one thing was certain: he knew more than he was willing to reveal.Beside him, Elena shifted beneath the covers."Philip?"He turned his head, "Yes?""Are you still awake?" She asked "Unfortunately. I can't sleep.” he replied She let out a small laugh, then moved closer to him."You've been acting strangely since the gala. You barely spoke to me on