Liam hesitated for only a few seconds before immediately dialing Clive's number.The phone rang several times before Clive picked up. The background noise was loud, with the clinking of glasses indicating he was out drinking."Where are you?""Having drinks! A friend from abroad is back, so we're catching up!"Liam frowned. "The child in the photo you sent me—did you Photoshop it?"Clive paused for a moment before raising his voice. "I wouldn't waste my time on that! I was working late at the office today when this kid showed up at Park Group. The security must have brought him to me because he looks so much like you.""Where is the child now?""Right next to me! The kid says he doesn't know his mom's name. He only knows that his dad looks like him. I couldn't just leave him outside."Clive had a prearranged meeting and had no choice but to bring the child along."You brought a child to a bar!""What else could I do?" Clive seemed to have stepped outside, and the noise quieted down.
"What did you say?" Alec hadn't caught his words."Nothing, get some rest."After hanging up, Liam's mind was a chaotic mess, making it impossible for him to sleep.He resolved to return to Northorn City as soon as possible the next day to determine if this was all just a coincidence or something more....Clive, obedient as ever, did exactly as Liam instructed and brought the child out.Glancing at the small figure walking beside him, he raised his hand and tapped the kid on the forehead. "Is Liam Park really your dad?"Arthur looked up, blinking his eyes. "I don't know. I just know I look a lot like him!""And what about your mom? What's her name?"Arthur thought for a moment, then shook his head. "I don't know.""...What about her last name?""I don't know that either."Clive had hoped to get some information from the kid, but he was drawing a blank."Well, you must know what your mom looks like, right?" He was genuinely curious, wondering who else, besides Suzy, could have gotten c
Clive couldn't help but marvel at how identical their faces were!Liam had the same expression when he furrowed his brows, looking just as stern and annoying."I knew he was a bastard dad!""You're right, he definitely is!" Clive scooped Arthur up and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Come on, let's go eat something delicious. We'll forget about that bastard for now, and tomorrow, I'll help you kick him a couple of times when we meet him!"Arthur nodded vigorously. "Okay!"Clive took him to a restaurant. Not having experience with kids, he had no idea what they should eat, so he just ordered a bunch of expensive dishes.The food wasn't even fully served when Clive's phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, Clive really didn't want to answer.But he knew that Sophia wouldn't let it go.After a moment's hesitation, he picked up the call."Hello?""Where are you?" Sophia asked urgently."I'm out, having dinner.""I heard that a kid who looks a lot like Liam came to the office today?"Clive f
"Yes, you have been my friend for many years, and... I even liked you once, but now you scare me.""...What did you say?" Sophia was stunned."Nothing. I have to go, I'm busy."With that, he hung up the phone and ignored all her subsequent calls.Meanwhile, Arthur was calmly eating crab and looked up at him."Is that your girlfriend?""No, just someone who fantasizes about becoming your stepmother."...Suzy and Wendy were checking flights abroad when Jeffrey called."I found out that Arthur did return to the country!"Suzy felt her heart nearly stop. "Where did he land?""Northorn City," Jeffrey replied gravely, as he had his suspicions too.Suzy instantly understood."I'm going to Northorn City to find him!""I've also bought a ticket to return. I'll be boarding soon," Jeffrey said, hesitating before adding, "But... before anything stirs up at Liam's end, why don't you let Wendy go to Northorn City to find Arthur? If we can intercept him before Liam finds out, everything will be mana
"Oh, come on, I have an urgent matter!" Clive glanced at the still-sleeping Arthur. "Let me ask you, are you sure Suzy had a daughter and not a son?""...Yes, she had a daughter. I've seen her.""Are you sure? Could it be that the child was just really pretty, and you mistook her for a girl?"Ryan didn't understand why Clive was asking this, but he was certain Suzy had a daughter."Impossible. Do you think I'm stupid?""Oh... then I guess it really isn't."Clive just wanted to confirm.He figured if Suzy's child resembled Liam so much, Ryan would have mentioned it to him. Ryan knew about his close relationship with Liam and had met Liam before."What are you talking about?" Hearing Suzy's name snapped Ryan wide awake.He was worried that saying the wrong thing could tip off Liam or Clive about something."It's nothing. I just suddenly discovered that Liam might have an illegitimate child.""...What? How is that possible? Mr. Park is known for his integrity. There have never been any ru
"Ryan, if a little boy suddenly showed up claiming to be your son, and after confirming it with a paternity test, wouldn't you be confused?"Ryan was speechless. Of course, he would be.He had slept with so many women, some whose names he couldn't even recall. He couldn't be absolutely sure that none of them had ulterior motives."But hasn't Liam always been known for his integrity? Can he be compared to me?" Ryan scoffed. "Maybe in private, he has more tricks up his sleeve than either of us!""That's absolutely impossible! Since he left Suzy, he's been practically living at the office, always online on the company's system.""Would being online prevent him from doing that kind of thing?"Clive raised his voice. "Hey! Why do you have such a grudge against Liam?"Even someone as insensitive as Clive could sense it."I'm just being realistic," Ryan replied with a smile. "Alright, if it turns out the kid is his son, let me know. I'd love to see how it unfolds.""Screw you!"Clive hung up
Clive thought Sophia was genuinely in pain, so he ignored his phone and drove straight to the hospital.Once they arrived, he carried Sophia to the cardiology department.After a flurry of activity, he was exhausted and drenched in sweat. Only then did he remember that someone had called him earlier.He checked his phone and saw several missed calls from his assistant, followed by one from Liam.Unable to reach Clive by phone, Liam had sent a message on WhatsApp. “I've boarded the plane back to Northorn City. Reply when you see this.”Just as Clive was about to reply, his assistant called again.Thinking the kid might have caused trouble, Clive answered immediately."Hello? What's going on?""Mr. Clive! You asked me to come to the hotel to look after the child. I came, but... there's no child here!"Clive sprang up from his seat."What did you say?!""There's no child in the room. I tried calling you, but you didn't answer. I asked the hotel front desk, and they said... a man came and
"What if it's someone with bad intentions? Or someone who noticed he looks like Liam and wants to kidnap him for ransom!""You worry too much! Think about it. He was clearly taken by someone looking for him. How else would they know exactly where to find him? There are so many hotels in Northorn City!"Clive considered it and realized she might be right.Theoretically, her guess made sense."What do I tell Liam when he gets back?"He had specifically returned for this child."Just tell him you were joking if necessary. I can make sure no one at the company says anything," Sophia offered.But Clive, after thinking it over, declined her "help.""I can't do that. The child was really here. Liam needs to find out if he's truly his son and what the other party's intentions are." Clive believed it was better to get scolded by Liam now than to risk potential harm to Liam later.Since the issue had been discovered, it was best for Liam to investigate.He was sure Liam could uncover some clues