Eventually, Hull scooped Susanna up and carried her off to the bathroom for a shower.


    By the time they were dressed and stepped back out, Ss was already waiting in the hallway while a servant arranged breakfast on the table—simple, nourishing porridge and a few light sides, nothing too heavy, just right for someone recovering.


    As soon as Hull and Susanna appeared, Ss approached them. "Hull, Derek Murray is here."


    At that, Hull and Susanna nced at each other. Susanna frowned. "He''s here again?"


    "The ck Gate situation''s spiraling out of control. He must be pretty desperate," Hull said.


    Desperate didn''t even begin to cover it-Derek was practically frantic. Now that he knew Susanna was with Hull, he was sure to seize any opportunity to get to her and try to use her as leverage.


    Hull looked over at Susanna, who was quick to respond, "What are you staring at me for? I have nothing to do with the ck Gate."


    Susanna was always clear on that point-whatever mess ck Gate was in, it was none of her concern.


    Hull couldn''t help but smirk at her total disinterest. He ruffled her silky hair before turning to Ss. "Who does he want to see?"


    "Susanna," Ss replied.


    As soon as Susanna heard it, she let out a derisiveugh. “I''m not seeing him."


    She wasn''t stupid. There was nothing fatherly in the way Derek looked at her-all she ever saw was someone desperate to fix the ck Gate, frantic to climb out of his own quicksand. To put it bluntly, he''d never shown the slightest real affection for her as a daughter-and on her side, there wasn''t a scrap of familial attachment either. In fact, Susanna had always felt an inexplicable sense of aversion toward him.


    Just hearing his name triggered something sharp and certain inside her: she couldn''t possibly be Derek''s daughter. The feeling was too strong to ignore.


    Hull turned to Ss. "You heard her."


    Ss nodded. "Yes, sir."


    Down in the hotel lobby, Barnaby stood between Derek and the elevator, refusing to let him go upstairs. Just seeing Bemaby made Derek''s blood boil, while Barnaby didn''t bother hiding his contempt, rotting his eyes with a theatrical ir that made his feelings perfectly clear. The two were a walking definition of mutual annoyance.


    Derek, seething, had already smoked several cigarettes in session. “I just want


    to see my daughter! Why are you people blocking me?" he spat, jaw clenched.


    Barnaby folded his arms over his


    chest. "You''ve got plenty of daughters. Go pick any one you. want As for Susanna sure, her eyes might look like yours, but still don''t buy that she''s actually your kid."


    Derek''s face darkened. "You !"


    Barnaby pressed on, perfectly unfazed. "You know, I have this buddy who''s a urologist—maybe you should have a quiet chat with him, just to be on the safe side."


    It was almost funny, how the feeling that Susanna wasn''t actually Derek''s daughter had be so widespread—not just with Susanna herself, but even with Barnaby.


    Derek''s breath was getting short and sharp. “Don''t cross the line!"


    Barnaby shrugged. "Hey, I''m just telling it like it is. Funny thing, though: I used to think those twins of yours couldn''t be yours because, frankly they were too ugly. But now Susanna actually has a bit of your looks, and, weirdly enough, Frnteven more convinced she''s not your kid. Go figure."


    Just then, Ss stepped out of the elevator and caught Barnaby mid-sentence, his curiosity in on his face.


    Ss nearly chuckled to himself—Barnaby and his big mouth could infuriate a saint. Derek''s face was tinged a sickly shade of green. Behind him, Caden couldn''t take it anymore; he pulled something from his belt and aimed it at Barnaby.


    Barnaby only quirked an eyebrow, smiling coolly. "What, is honesty a crime now?" Derek pressed his lips into a hard, thin line. "I just want to see my daughter."


    Barnaby shot back, "What daughter? For all you know, none of your kids are actually yours. Maybe you should go home and sort all that out before youe bugging Susanna here."


    Caden snarled, "You really are looking for trouble, aren''t you?"