In the study room.


    The moment the three little ones entered, Tarquin''s brow furrowed, and his heart skipped a beat!


    He looked at the three kids wearing face masks before him, his expression aplex mix of emotions. It was an indescribable feeling, as if a wave of unfamiliar emotions suddenly surged within him, unsettling his very core. His blood boiled, and every cell in his body seemed to cheer and dance with excitement.


    This feeling, it was reminiscent of five years ago, the first time he met Elijah! Back then, Elijah was wrapped in a cozy nket, a tiny thing... Looking at Elijah had stirred the same emotions within him!


    But Elijah was his son, so his excitement was understandable. However, these three kids were Elysia''s, having no direct connection to him. Why the excitement?


    Tarquin nced curiously at the children, quickly focusing his attention on Elijah. Even though at this moment, Elijah''s eyebrows seen above the mask resembled those of Elliot and Emmett, their auras were entirely different.


    Elliot appeared mature andposed, his eyes slightly narrowed, giving off a powerful and enigmatic vibe. Emmett seemed timid and easily frightened, his eyes blinking rapidly, looking at Tarquin with a hint of apprehension and his eyes slightly red, as if he was on the verge of tears, clearly a crybaby at heart. Elijah, on the other hand, was cool and aloof. With a slight furrow of his brows, he exuded a chill... resembling a mini version of Tarquin!


    So, the moment Tarquinid eyes on him, his focus immediately shifted.


    "What''s your name?" Tarquin asked with a hint of suspicion.


    Elijah''s brow tightened as he pinched his palm to calm himself down. His gaze at Tarquin wasced with a mix of displeasure, anxiety, and a hint of exasperation. Displeasure, because Tarquin had made his mom cry! Anxiety, fearing his identity might be recognized, jeopardizing their n! And exasperation, because he deeply wished for his parents to reunite, craving aplete family. Yet, his foolish dad was clueless!


    He didn''t realize his mom was his long-lost love! Because of his ignorance, not only did he fail to cherish mom, but he also upset her to tears! Such behavior, even if he were to beg and cry for mom''s forgivenesster, she might not even ept it! If mom couldn''t forgive him, they''d never be together, and what would be of him then? He was digging a hole for his own son!


    The more Elijah thought about it, the angrier he got. Just as he was about to speak, Elliot beat him to it,


    "This is my brother Evan. What about it?"


    Tarquin''s brows furrowed slightly, "Take off your masks. Let me see."


    Elijah and Emmett tensed up a bit more, both eyeing Tarquin warily, "??!"


    Elliot, however, was the first to remove his mask and then instructed Elijah and Emmett,


    "Evan, Emmett, take off your masks too. No need for them indoors."


    Elijah and Emmett nced at Elliot, then followed suit, albeit hesitantly. They respected Elliot''s authority, and despite their reluctance, theyplied. Three faces, strikingly simr! Clearly, triplets!


    Under Emmett''s guise, both Elijah and Elliot appeared to have transformed, their original features obscured, mimicking Emmett''s.


    Tarquin eyed Elijah, his brows knitting together. Before the masks were off, he had his suspicions about this kid being Elijah. Now, it seemed it was just a simr demeanor. He scrutinized Elijah for a few more seconds then diverted his gaze. Subconsciously, he reached for the cigarette pack on the desk, pulling out a cigarette. Yet, before lighting it, considering the presence of children, he ced it back down.


    Looking up, his gaze inadvertently drifted back to Elijah, suddenly asking,


    "Do you dislike me?"


    Something about the way this kid looked at him was off.


    Elijah''s brows tightened, but Elliot responded first, "It''s not about dislike. It''s just that you made our mom cry, and we''re all quite upset about it."