Laura''s emotions were spiraling out of control. Sensing the tension, Wesley quickly stepped in and said, "Dr. Elim, Mr. Mark, could you step outside for a moment? I need to calm Laura down."


    Natalie noticed the situation and knew that Laura was not ready to open up just yet. She exchanged a nce with Marcus before leading him out of the room.


    Behind the closed door, Wesley pulled Laura into his arms andforted her. "Laura, why don''t we just tell Marcus the truth? You''re his biological mother. He''s not going to reject you."


    Wesley gently tried to ease her worries, adding, "We''ve missed him all these years, but Father raised him well. There''s no way he''d be afraid of you or turn his back on you.


    "Besides, Marcus has missed us too. Even though we haven''t spoken often, every time we did, I could tell that he''s a respectful, kind-hearted young man. How about this? I''ll talk to him first, and once he understands, you can meet him."


    Laura shook her head, mumbling, "Wesley, no... I can''t. I''m fine now, but what if I rpse?"


    Her voice broke as tears spilled down her cheeks. "I already look terrifying as it is... What if he sees me when I lose control? I don''t want to scare him!"


    Wesley reassured her, "Marcus is grown now. He''s not a child anymore. He''ll understand what we''ve been through. He''ll understand us."


    Laura still shook her head, sobbing. "No... I just can''t."


    "Laura, listen to me," Wesley said firmly, holding her steady as she nearly copsed. "If even Dr. Elim can''t cure this, then there''s no hope left. Do you really want to leave this world without ever seeing Marcus again?"


    He continued, "Don''t you want to hold him just once? To tell him how much you love him? Laura, trust me. I''ll talk to Marcus first."


    Before Laura could say anything, there was a knock at the door. Then, Benson''s voice came from the other side, announcing, "Mr. and Mrs. Holden, Mr. Holden Senior is here."


    Wesley froze, his mind nk for a second before his pupils widened in shock. "What did you just say?"


    "Mr. Holden Senior just arrived. Dr. Elim and Mr. Mark are already talking to him," Benson reported.


    At that moment, both Wesley and Laura were stunned. She even stopped sobbing as panic took over.


    "What do we do? Why is Father here?" Laura''s voice trembled.


    "He''s meeting Marcus... What if he tells him the truth? Wesley, I''m scared," she mumbled, gripping Wesley''s arm.


    "Don''t be." Wesley held her close, trying to steady her. "From the moment we left, we knew this day woulde sooner orter. And if Father wanted Marcus to know the truth, he would''ve told him a long time ago—not now."


    Laura''s anxiety spiked. "Then why would Father suddenly show up here? Why would he even meet Marcus?"


    She started pacing the room, her hands clutching her arms. "I can''t let him see me like this-I just can''t!"


    "Laura, listen to me," Wesley said, grabbing her hand. "Just stay here. I''ll go downstairs and find out what''s going on. Sit down and finish your dinner first. Everything''s going to be alright, okay?"


    "I can''t eat," Laura whispered, shaking her head.


    "If you don''t, how are you going to get through tomorrow?" Wesley''s voice was full


    of pain. "Now that Dr. Elim is here, you need to listen to her and cooperate with your treatment."


    "But I-"


    "No buts," Wesley cut her off, squeezing her hand. "For Marcus'' sake, just hold on


    a little longer. Please?"


    Laura had no choice but to nod. "Okay."


    "I''ll head down now and check things out," Wesley said.


    "Alright," Laura replied, but just as Wesley was about to leave, she grabbed his hand tightly. She pleaded, "Wesley, don''t reveal your identity. Please, don''t let Marcus


    know yet-I''m not ready."


    "I won''t say anything," Wesley reassured her, pulling her into a brief hug. "I''ll just see what''s going on first."


    "Okay," Laura murmured.


    Then, Wesley left the room and quickly made his way downstairs. In the dining area, Charles was sitting at the table with Sheldon and Connie, casually having dinner with Marcus.


    Benson was in the kitchen, busy preparing fresh juice for everyone.


    Wesley, wrapped up in heavyyers and dark sunsses, stopped near the table. The moment his gazended on them, his eyes burned red behind his lenses.


    There sat his father, his son, and Sheldon-the people he had missed every single day for years. But even now, he could not let them know who he was.


    "What are you standing around for? Sit down," Charles said, waving him over without much fuss. Then, he instructed, "Benson, get another set of dishes."


    "Yes, Mr. Holden Senior," Benson responded respectfully and quickly ced an extra te and utensils on the table.


    "Mr. Holden Senior," Wesley greeted, his voice steady.


    "You can leave now," Charles said, dismissing Benson with a wave.


    Benson nodded and returned to the kitchen.


    "Sit, Wesley," Charles said.


    Just as he poured himself a drink, Connie swiftly took the ss from him. She scolded, "Mr. Holden Senior, you''re not allowed to drink alcohol."


    Charles sighed in defeat. "Fine, fine. Milk instead, then. I''ll drink milk like it''s wine."


    Ever since Connie hade into his life, she had been keeping him in check. She poured him a ss of milk and served wine to everyone else.


    Without a word, Marcus casually swapped the ss in front of Natalie, recing her wine with milk instead. Natalie noticed but did not say anything.


    "Marcus, Wesley," Charles said, lifting his ss. "Let me formally introduce you two to each other. You two have been apart for years, but today, you finally meet again as father and son."


    He continued, "Marcus, this is your father, Wesley. Wesley, this is your son." Charles dered proudly. "I raised him well. Your son-my grandson-grew up under my care, and I did a damn good job."


    "Marcus, that''s your dad," he continued. "And Wesley, that''s your son."


    With that, Charles downed his entire ss of milk in one go. He chuckled and urged, "Don''t just sit there-drink up! Once we finish this toast, everything will beid out in the open."


    "Marcus, whatever questions you have, I''ll answer them all tonight," Charles said, watching him carefully.


    Marcus remained silent. From the moment he had stepped into Scarlet Hill Residence, he had already pieced everything together.


    The walls were filled with relics from


    his childhood-precious gold lockets and gemstone trinkets, along with small scarves, mittens, and other sentimental things. Even his old childhood drawings were framed with care, perfectly blending into the elegant decor of the honte.


    He had known the truth the second he walked in, but he had not asked nor did he expose it. At that moment, he finally understood why his parents had left him behind and spent years "traveling".


    "Don''t you have any questions?" Charles asked when Marcus remained silent.


    Pouring another ss of wine, he let out a deep sigh. "Your parents always loved you, Marcus. It was me I''m the one who kept the truth from you. If you want to me someone, then me me."