"Where did you come from? Let me take you back," Spencer said.Just as Mason was about to answer, the rapid click of high heels echoed down the hallway.Spencer and Mason turned to see Nyla striding toward them, her face set in a scowl.Before Mason could hide, Nyla called out, "Buddy, come here!"Her anger was barely contained as she fixed her stern gaze on Mason.That morning, as soon as she arrived at the lab, she had received a call from Mason's kindergarten teacher, saying he was missing. Panic had nearly overwhelmed her. Frantic, she had reached out to Oliver, and together, they had quickly tracked Mason's whereabouts.She had never imagined Mason would be bold enough to come directly to Prospectus Technology to find Damon. He had somehow convinced himself that Damon was his biological father. Otherwise, he wouldn't have shown up here.Nyla hurried to Mason's side, pulling him protectively behind her while glancing at Spencer warily. "Mr. Hogg, I apologize for any trouble
Nyla's heart sank at Damon's words. She absolutely could not let him conduct a paternity test. If he did, everything would fall apart.She met Damon's gaze. "Mr. Sumner, if I remember correctly, you have a fiancee. If you want a child, she can give you one. Isn't it a bit absurd to demand a paternity test for someone else's child?""Your strong reaction makes me wonder if you're feeling guilty, Ms. Kinsey," Damon shot back."I'm just pointing out that you're causing trouble where none exists. We've never met before, and we have no connection, isn't that right?" Nyla retorted.Damon's eyes turned cold. Before coming to Capitarnia, he had truly had no interactions with Nyla. That was precisely why he insisted on a paternity test.As he remained silent, simply glaring at her, Nyla pressed on, "Since you have nothing more to say, we'll be leaving."Just as she was about to take Mason away, Damon's cold voice cut through the air. "You're not leaving Prospectus Technology without my pe
Spencer fell silent after Damon's reprimand, not daring to utter another word.In the tense standoff, Mason tugged at Nyla's shirt and spoke timidly. "Mom, I'm scared."Nyla's heart ached as she pulled Mason closer, her glare cold and unwavering at Damon. "Mr. Sumner, you've frightened my son."Seeing Mason's terrified expression caused Damon's heart to flinch slightly, but his face remained stern.Oliver, exuding an oppressive aura, interjected, "Mr. Sumner, if you don't give us a satisfactory explanation today, this won't end here."Damon's expression darkened. He dismissed Oliver's warning, but with Mason present, he refrained from arguing in front of the child.After a moment of silence, he finally spoke. "The paternity test can wait for now, but Nyla, I will get to the bottom of this. If he is my child, I will never allow him to stay with a woman like you!"Nyla froze momentarily, fury rising within her.A woman like her? What did he know about her? She had given birth to
Seeing Mason's pale face, Nyla lost her will to scold him. After all, the root of the issue was her decision to hide Damon from Mason, which led him to seek out Damon for confirmation."Let's go," she said, taking Mason's hand and turning to leave with Oliver.…Back on the top floor, Damon stared icily at Spencer. "So you've been investigating Nyla and her child these past few days because you suspect Buddy might be mine?"Spencer bit his lip, realizing he could no longer hide the truth. He nodded slowly. "Yes...""Just because he looks like me, you think he's my child? You've been with me for years—you know better than anyone who I've been involved with," Damon demanded.His piercing gaze held Spencer in place, giving him no chance to escape.Damon had indeed connected the dots regarding Spencer's investigation, suspecting that Mason might be his son. Yet, he was sure he didn't know Nyla—she had never been part of his life.Suddenly, a thought struck Damon. He remembered the
Oliver dropped Nyla and Mason off at home.Noticing Nyla's pale face and the lingering fear in her eyes, he spoke softly. "Nyla, don't think too much about it. You got scared today. Just rest, and we can talk about everything tomorrow."Nyla forced a smile. "Yeah, I'm sorry for taking up so much of your time today. You should get back to work."She had initially told Oliver not to come because she remembered he had meetings, but the day had stretched much longer than she had expected.Seeing the fleeting guilt in her eyes, Oliver replied firmly, "Nyla, you and Buddy are important to me. It's not an inconvenience.""I know, but I don't want to be a burden. Being together should mean supporting each other, not just you helping me all the time," Nyla said.Oliver felt a mix of frustration and sympathy. He thought Nyla was struggling to accept his support because she hadn't fully accepted him. After the scare she had had today, he didn't want to pressure her further."We'll talk abo
Mason dropped the cutlery he was holding, staring blankly at Nyla."Buddy, when I told you that your dad passed away, it was because he and I separated. But he never wanted to abandon you—he didn't even know you existed. Now that you know the truth, you can choose to stay with me or go to him," Nyla explained.As Mason began to understand, Nyla gave him the choice. After all, for a child who had never experienced a father's love, it was natural for him to want a dad.Ever since Mason started kindergarten, she had realized she couldn't replace that role, which was why she had considered trying with Oliver—she wanted to give Mason a complete family.Nyla expected Mason to think it over, but instead, his lips trembled, and he burst into tears."Mom, do you not want me anymore?" he cried.Taken aback, Nyla found it somewhat amusing. She quickly got up, wiped his tears, and squatted beside him, gently saying, "How could you think that? Mommy loves you the most."Through his sobs, Mas
Meeting Damon's accusing gaze, Nyla felt a strange sense of amusement. He had been the one to force himself on her back then, and now, with his memory gone, he had taken on the role of the victim?"Mr. Sumner, you claim Buddy is your child. What evidence do you have?" she asked.Damon's demeanor turned icy. "The fact that he looks almost exactly like me is proof enough."Nyla smiled. "But a judge won't rule you as Buddy's father based solely on that."Her sarcastic smile darkened Damon's expression. He grabbed her hand, his eyes cold. "Nyla, do I need to show you the paternity test results before you'll admit it?"Nyla pulled her hand away. "Mr. Sumner, if you had a paternity test, you wouldn't be here talking to me. You'd be at the courthouse filing a lawsuit, wouldn't you?"Damon fell silent for a few moments, his voice tight with anger. "Don't worry, you'll soon receive a subpoena. I won't let my child stay with a manipulative woman like you!"Nyla's hands clenched at her sid
In the next moment, Damon pushed Nyla away, his expression dripping with disdain. "Ms. Kinsey, even if you're throwing yourself at me, I won't let you off easily."Nyla's face flushed with anger.Throwing herself at him? What gave him the impression that she wanted to seduce him?She raised an eyebrow and gave him a once-over.Her scrutinizing gaze made Damon frown instinctively, his face darkening even further."Mr. Sumner, not a single part of you meets my standards, and your temper is dreadful. Rest assured, even if every other man on Earth disappeared, I wouldn't be interested in you," Nyla declared.Damon let out a cold laugh. "A man like Oliver is definitely more suitable for you. After all, he's someone who bends to your every whim."He couldn't understand how someone as successful as Oliver could fall for a woman like her.Nyla's expression hardened. "You have no right to judge Oliver.""Oh? Just one comment and you're so protective of him. It seems you really do like