Damon's expression darkened significantly. "If it weren't for you hiding Buddy's existence, I wouldn't have missed these years of his growth."Nyla, your selfishness is the reason it took us this long to find each other. I won't hand my child over to a woman as selfish as you!""You have no right to call me selfish! Since you won't return Buddy to me, we have nothing more to discuss. I'll see you in court!" With that, Nyla turned and left.Damon glared at her retreating figure, filled with disgust and anger. He had never encountered such an ungrateful woman.His phone rang, and he picked it up to see that it was Spencer."Mr. Sumner… Buddy has been crying for Ms. Kinsey and refuses to eat anything. His eyes are swollen," Spencer informed him.Damon's expression remained taut and cold. "Let him starve if he doesn't want to eat!""But if he keeps crying like this, it's not going to help…" Spencer tried to reason.After a moment of silence, Damon replied coldly, "I'll be there rig
Nyla scoffed. "Damon took my son without my consent and now wants to fight me for custody? He's dreaming!"Gerrard adjusted his glasses and handed her a document from his briefcase."Ms. Kinsey, this is the paternity test report showing that Mason Kinsey and Mr. Damon Sumner are father and son. He has the right to contest custody," he said.Nyla didn't take the document. Instead, she looked at Gerrard with a poker face. "That paternity test was done without my consent. I won't acknowledge it!"Gerrard remained calm. "Ms. Kinsey, this paternity test holds legal validity. My client is prepared to file a lawsuit. Of course, it would be best to resolve this peacefully, but if that's not possible, he will have to pursue legal action."Regardless, Damon was determined to fight Nyla for custody of Mason.Nyla nodded. "Fine, let him file a lawsuit."With that, she walked past Gerrard and left.Gerrard called Damon to update him. "Mr. Sumner, Ms. Kinsey still refuses to agree. It seems
Damon's expression darkened significantly. Lacking any experience with children, he instinctively applied the same tactics he used with his subordinates to Mason, only to find it backfiring spectacularly.Frustration filled his eyes as he looked at Mason, who was wailing loudly.If Mason weren't his son, he would have thrown him out for causing such a scene in his own home.Spencer returned with snacks and walked into the bedroom to find Damon and Mason locked in a standoff—one looking furious and the other crying his eyes out.A headache began to form in Spencer's temples."Mr. Sumner, didn't Buddy calm down before I left? How did he start crying again so quickly?" Spencer asked.Damon, clearly agitated, snapped, "You handle it!"With that, he turned and walked away.Spencer was rendered speechless.Damon had been the one to make the kid cry, and now he was expected to fix it?Sighing in resignation, Spencer set down the snacks and squatted beside Mason, trying to comfort hi
Erin's expression darkened. After spending so many years with Damon, she would never allow a sudden, unexpected child to derail her plans.Taking a deep breath, she suppressed her anger and resentment. She spoke in a calm tone. "Damon, I'm having a hard time accepting this right now. Please give me a week."I need some time to process this. Once I've sorted it out, I'll come find you. Let's not contact each other in the meantime."Fearing that Damon would bring up the idea of breaking their engagement again, Erin abruptly hung up. She gritted her teeth, anger boiling beneath the surface.That bitch, Nyla, had the audacity to inform Damon about the existence of that child without any warning! She had even pretended not to be interested in Damon, but it had all been an act!Erin dialed another number, her voice seething with anger. "What have you been doing?! Why haven't I heard anything about what I asked you to do?!""It's coming along, Ms. Hulle. Don't worry," the person on the
Caroline hadn't asked directly, but she sensed that Bailey still hadn't moved on from her past relationship, which was why she was reluctant to meet Gerrard."Nyla, I can introduce you to other lawyers. I know several who are just as capable as my sister. You could consider them," Caroline suggested.Nyla shook her head. "For custody cases like this, your sister is the most well-known. She has never lost a case she's taken, so I really want to give it a shot. I just want to meet her. If she declines, I won't push her."If it weren't for Mason's custody, she wouldn't have reached out to Caroline for help.Caroline understood that and nodded after a moment of hesitation. "Alright, I'll arrange for you to meet Bailey, but whether or not you can convince her is up to you.""Thank you, Caroline!" Nyla exclaimed."Don't thank me just yet. The chances of success are low. Besides, I've watched Buddy grow up, so I'll do everything I can to help," Caroline replied.Nyla felt a wave of gra
The living room fell into a tense silence, the temperature dropping sharply.Oliver turned to Nyla, disbelief written all over his face, mixed with a hint of joy flickering in his eyes. He knew she was trying to deceive Damon, but seeing her stand up for him made him feel happy nonetheless.Damon narrowed his eyes, drumming his fingers idly on the table. "You can marry him if you want. I don't care. But I won't be giving Buddy back to you."Nyla's expression darkened. Just as she was about to respond, a small figure dashed toward her."Mommy…" Mason rushed into Nyla's arms, clinging to her leg and crying heart-wrenchingly.Hearing him sob over the phone had been one thing, but seeing his tear-streaked face now made Nyla's blood boil."What have you done to Buddy? Why is he crying like this?!" she demanded, glaring at Damon.Damon's expression remained icy. "He just left you for a strange environment. It's normal for him to cry. He'll settle down."Nyla was fuming. "He's just a
The Raynor Group would suffer some losses in the short term, but their foundation would remain intact.Damon stood up and, as he walked out, said, "Mr. Raynor, many people are hoping to see the Raynors fall from grace. I hope you won't regret it!"With that, he pushed past Oliver and Nyla and left.Oliver turned to Nyla, his gaze softening. "Nyla, it's okay now. Let's take Buddy home."Nyla didn't move, her eyes locked onto him. "Oliver, what did you do to Prospectus Technology?"She had clearly heard Damon's words. Oliver had convinced Damon to stop obstructing her from taking Mason away, but it was evident that the Raynor Group had paid a price for it.Oliver's expression remained calm. "Don't worry. I know what I'm doing. It won't impact the Raynor Group too much. My dad once told me that if I let the Raynor Group fall, he'd kick my ass, so I won't act recklessly."Realizing he was just trying to comfort her, Nyla bit her lip and refrained from pressing further. She underst
Nyla held Mason close, soothing him softly. "Don't be afraid, Buddy. I will always protect you and won't let anyone take you away again."Mason nodded. "Mommy, I hate that man! He says he's my dad, but I don't want him to be my dad!"Nyla bit her lip. "Let's not think about that right now. Just get some rest, and I'll take you to school tomorrow."…The next morning, Nyla dropped Mason off at school. As soon as she found his teacher, Lilith, the latter looked surprised and asked, "Ms. Kinsey, isn't Buddy transferring schools? Why did you bring him today?"Nyla paused, confused. "What do you mean, transferring?""I'm not entirely sure. The principal just informed me that Buddy was transferring and told me not to get involved anymore," Lilith replied.Understanding the situation, Nyla handed Mason over to Lilith and said, "I see. Ms. Page, Buddy isn't transferring. Please take him to class. I need to speak with the principal.""Okay, you go ahead," Lilith answered.Nyla nodded