Stan spoke from the other end. "I've checked. Ian Jefferson had been to the manor, where your child was kept. The boy went missing afterward, and it is most likely Ian's doing. Also, Moneypenny had mentioned that your grandfather wanted to keep things quiet, but they bumped into Ian when they did a paternity test…"Isaac frowned. "What paternity test?" "Your grandfather needed to ensure that the boy is your child, and it was proven that he is," Stan replied.For Isaac's part, he never doubted that the child was his ever since he found out that she had a child—he was the only man Irene had ever been with.On the other end, Stan hesitated for a while before saying, "Sir, we don't have any leverage against him…"After all, Henry had disowned Ian and his immediate family to appease Isaac. They were not given anything from the family estate. Even so, Quincy Moore had used her savings to start a nightclub called 'Charmed' for her son, Ian. It was only because she tried to kill Isaac
"You and me?" Irene exclaimed in surprise. "What about Kathy York?"She still remembered the indignation when she found out that he was messing around with Kathy.Isaac was speechless. Why was she always capable of ruining the mood in an instant?"Why do you keep mentioning people who don't matter? I've already told Stan to transfer her somewhere I won't see her, and there was nothing between us at all."He reached out to touch her cheek, but she avoided his touch. "You don't have to explain your affairs to me."Isaac's hand froze in the air for a moment before he lowered it, and he asked, "You don't want to give our child a family?"Irene certainly wanted Tommy to have both parents and to grow up in a happy family—it was ideal for the boy's development.Moreover, she was in love with Isaac. Perhaps she should win him over, for Tommy's sake? And he was clearly proposing to her too…She understood now—she should not be running away, and instead should be striving for herself a
Right after Isaac said that, he added, "Not for Tommy—but for me, and only me."He was referring to the bond between them."Okay," Irene murmured softly, leaning downward to wrap her arms around his neck from behind, and nestled her cheek against his. She loved him, after all—she could get upset if he messed around with other women. She wanted him, not just so that Tommy had a happy family, but for herself too.That was when Stan returned.He was in too much of a hurry to knock, and realized that he had been reckless when he entered and found Irene having a tender moment with Isaac.Still, just as he was about to close the door, Isaac said, "Wait for me at the conference room.""Yes, sir," Stan replied, and closed the door behind him.Irene felt a little embarrassed, and released Isaac just then. "Are you going to discuss how to save Tommy?" she asked. "Yeah. Stay here if you have nothing else to do," Isaac replied. "I'll be right back once we're done talking."However,
Isaac appeared solemn. "What else would I be talking about? I want an answer before this evening."With that, he rose to his feet, pausing for a moment when he remembered something. "Send me an email—show me what you have on Ian's sugar baby.""Yes, sir," Stan replied.Irene had yet to return when Isaac returned to his office, so he sat down before his desk, turned on his laptop, and checked his email.After scanning through the dossier Stan sent, he became pensive.It appeared that Ian had not had any affairs with other women for six months after meeting his latest sugar baby. This was certainly rare—Ian's relationships lasted a month on average, but somehow he was with this one for six. He could actually be in love, but there was no telling for certain… Meanwhile, Irene had returned from her tour, and strode in when she saw Isaac, asking, "Is there a way to save Tommy?""Calm down," Isaac said distractedly as he moved the cursor to delete the email, but Irene vaguely saw
Just as Isaac was about to get up, however, Irene moved the cursor and said, "Wait—let's get prepared as much as we can before we get started."As she read through the dossier on Ian's sugar baby, Isaac watched her from the side, smiling faintly as he admired her prudence.And after she was done, Irene said, "This might not be as hard as I thought.""How so?" he asked."Look here—she's a dance judge," Irene pointed out. "I happen to know some dancing, and that counts as a conversation starter, I guess?"Isaac's eyes twinkled as he watched her.Indeed, Irene was quite versatile, having learned the piano, painting, dance, and medicine."Wait, I think my friend might know here," Irene suddenly said as a person came to mind.She took out her phone and took a photo of the woman, while pulling Isaac along. "Do you remember Mark Wickers? From Dorime Pharmaceuticals?"Isaac followed as he replied, "I do. We're still partners."Irene appeared a little excited just then. "His wife has
Isaac asked, "Can you do this?""Don't worry—I won't cause trouble," Irene said confidently. "I won't endanger myself even though I want to save Tommy. Moreover, I don't think anyone would notice someone like me."She was basically telling Isaac not to worry since she would be fine.Isaac certainly knew that she was smart, but she was still a woman—she would not win in the face of brutes who could not be reasoned with."Don't be reckless.""Yeah," she replied. With that, the car turned silent and neither spoke.Irene wanted to speak, but could not put any words together.Soon, they were at the community arts center."Drive safe," she said as she alighted.Isaac watched her for a moment, and said, "Okay."…After Irene entered the building, she was at a loss on where to go. She asked the front desk, and they showed her where she should go to hand over the list.Luckily for Irene, Robin Lynd was on duty, and sitting in front of a computer.Knocking the door to draw her att
Irene wondered to herself if Ian was talking about Tommy just then, but she was too far to hear what he was saying clearly—she just happened to be able to catch him saying 'child.'Ian was still standing before his car, speaking to someone on the other end. "Bring her to me. I want to meet her."He was looking for a woman who had recently given birth because Tommy had been crying terribly and refusing to drink formula milk. After reading various articles online, Ian concluded that the boy wanted breastmilk, which was why he was looking for a woman who was lactating and could feed Tommy, so that the boy would stop crying.In truth, Tommy was crying because the formula milk Ian was feeding him was from another brand. The change in flavor did not suit him, but he would have kept feeding if he was fed the original brand.Ian, however, did not know that. As he hung up and got in his car, he glanced at Robin, who was still standing nearby and sighed. He wanted to show concern, but was
Irene asked, "Are you alright?"Robin could tell what she was referring to, and bitterly said, "I haven't been with him for that long, but we used to be happy. He would always watch my theater shows and treat me to gourmet food. We hold hands when we go shopping, and I'd lean on his shoulder at the cinema…"The memories left her eyes welling with tears."I mean, I know that we don't suit each other—he's a child of the Jefferson family, while I'm just some unknown thespian. I know we wouldn't go all the way, but… It's just so sudden! I can't take it, even if I knew this was inevitable."Irene listened attentively, and asked gingerly, "But why would he suddenly break up with you? Maybe he met someone else? You know how changeable men can be."Robin thought about it. "I don't think so… He's actually been quite busy lately.""What with?" Irene tried to sound casual."I'm not sure…"Still, Robin suddenly realized that Irene was asking about Ian, and quickly became wary. "Why'd you a