William was taken aback by her words. He whispered under his breath, "Father...?"
Elysia looked up at him, tears streaming down her face. "Father... you're alive! You're really here!" She kept repeating.
A wave of confusion, questions, and concern flickered through William's mind.
He could see the stress and emotional fragility on her face. Gently, he sat on the stool nearby, took her trembling hand, and softly encouraged her to rest. "You need sleep, child. Everything will be okay."
Elysia hesitated to close her eyes, afraid that this moment was only a dream and that he would vanish if she let herself fall asleep. But the warmth and firmness of his hand grounded her, slowly calming her until she drifted off.
Once she was asleep, William rose, taking a final glance at her and quietly left the room, closing the door behind him. He immediately called Jake, instructing him to arrange a DNA test which took Jake by surprise.
William had always been a devoted husband, deeply loyal to his wife, Sophie.
The only reason he even considered the DNA test was due to the painful memory of their own tragic loss—Sophie's second pregnancy, when their baby daughter had been declared stillborn. The tragedy of that past haunted them both, leaving a deep scar on their hearts.
In the past, When he ascended to the position of chairman, his family faced countless threats, with enemies lurking for an opportunity to strike.
Could the stillborn baby be part of a conspiracy? Could it really be possible that their daughter had somehow survived, only to reappear now, against all odds, as this mysterious young woman?
The idea sent a jolt through him, and his heartbeat quickened. He had to steady himself, forcing a calm he didn't quite feel, as he wrestled with the hope and uncertainty that tangled in his mind.
As much as he wanted to call his wife, Sophie, immediately, he held himself back, waiting for the DNA test results first.
Hours later, William sat alone, clutching the DNA report with trembling hands. He took a steadying breath before carefully unfolding it, his pulse thundering in his ears. His heart soared, bracing for the answer he'd dared to hope for.
But as his eyes scanned the words, his hopes shattered—negative.
A hollow ache spread through his chest, and tears stung his eyes, the weight of the result pressing down on him, heavier than he'd anticipated.
After steadying himself, William instructed Jake to keep looking after the young woman and to ensure her comfort.
With one last glance at the closed door, he turned and headed home, his thoughts a tangled mix of emotions.
---------------------------------
Back at the mansion, Sophie sat in the grand hall, her eyes reflecting a deep worry—especially over the idea of her husband helping a strange, injured woman. Beside her was their son, Benjamin Blake, CEO of Nexus Holdings—a man with striking looks, a sharp jawline, and a calm, confident presence.
He watched his mother, quietly reassuring her, "Mother, I told you—Father found an injured woman on his way home and took her to the hospital. He's fine."
Just then, headlights cut through the driveway as William's car arrived. Sophie shot up, rushing to the door with Benjamin following, shaking his head with a small smile.
William stepped out of the car, immediately spotting his wife and son waiting for him. Sophie threw her arms around him, sighing with relief. "You should have stayed inside," he murmured. "Didn't Benjamin tell you I was on my way?"
Benjamin chuckled. "I did, but she worries as if you've been off having an affair or something."
William let out a hearty laugh, while Sophie smacked her son's arm with a playful smile. Benjamin raised his hands in mock surrender, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Mother, with all that pacing, you really did look suspicious!"
At that, William laughed, earning a playful swat from Sophie. She raised her hands, mock-scolding her son, "You have some nerve, Benjamin. It's not like you're any closer to settling down yourself!"
Benjamin groaned. "Here we go… Mother, I'll settle down when the right time comes!"
"Right time?" she said, eyebrow raised. "You're 28, and you're still talking about the 'right time'?"
William, feeling the tension melt away, exchanged a quick, knowing glance with Benjamin, who subtly nodded back. Their silent communication said it all: Thanks for lifting his mother's spirits.
The family moved inside, with Sophie instructing the servants to serve dinner, knowing William had likely missed his meal.
Benjamin excused himself, leaving his parents to share a quiet meal, while the comforting warmth of home filled the air.