?Chapter 1661:


    “Please don’t exhaust yourselves over this. King doesn’t appear just because people search everywhere,” Alban said evenly. He had already epted reality, yet his family stubbornly clung to hope.


    “As long as there’s even the smallest chance, we won’t stop,” Henrik dered.


    “If our intentions are sincere enough, perhaps King wille forward,” Colette added.


    “What if we try television?” Santos proposed. “Didn’t someone in this country once reach King through a broadcast?”


    Henrik shook his head. “That won’t work. Turning it into a public spectacle borders on emotional maniption, and it could easily backfire.”


    “But someone seeded before — at the very least, it’s worth trying,” Santos pressed.


    “No. The risk is too great,” Henrik said, rejecting the idea without hesitation.


    Alban’s expression remained nk, betraying no emotion. He had never desired marriage, so the oue of this search meant nothing to him. If his family insisted on chasing an illusion, that was their choice — he would remain detached.


    “I’m heading to the office,” he said calmly, standing and adjusting his cufflinks. “There’s an auctionter today. I heard a rare medicinal herb will be up for bidding. I’ll try to secure it for you, Grandfather, to help with your health.”


    Henrik shot him a displeased nce. “You should keep it for yourself.”


    “That remark was unnecessary,” Alban replied, his voice cool.


    Seeing his grandson’splete indifference, Henrik felt irritation rise again. “Just go — stop standing there and getting on my nerves.” He flicked his hand dismissively.


    Without another word, Alban left with long, steady strides. The examinations were done, the conclusions clear. Everything else was meaningless to him. Compared to love, marriage, or children, the fulfillment he found in his work mattered far more.


    Jones Group.


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    “Bain, look what I brought you —” Christina pushed open the office door and froze when she saw two men inside.


    “What are you doing here?” she and Elliott said simultaneously, surprise evident on both faces.


    Elliott’s gaze shifted between Bain and Christina. “You two know each other?” he asked, unable to hide his astonishment. They shared the samest name, but their lives had seemedpletely separate. And who was the small child in Christina’s arms? The girl appeared mixed-race — could she possibly be Bain’s?


    Christina offered an awkward smile. Realizing there was no point hiding it now, she spoke honestly. “Yes, he’s my biological brother. I’m the daughter the Jones family lost years ago.”


    Elliott stood stunned, needing a moment to process her words. “Since when?”


    Christina briefly exined how she had been reunited with the Jones family. “That’s what happened. I nned to wait for the right moment to make my identity public,” she said, turning to Elliott with an apologetic look. “I’m sorry for not telling you sooner.”


    “That’s alright,” Elliott replied gently. “It’s your private life, and you had every right to keep it to yourself. I understand — I just never imagined you were Bain’s sister.” He paused. “So you’re here to discuss business with Bain?”


    Christina tried to set the little girl down, but the child clung to her tightly, afraid of being left behind.


    “Yes,” Elliott replied. His attention shifted to the child in Christina’s arms. “Is she Bain’s daughter?”


    “No,” Christina and Bain answered simultaneously.


    “Would you like a moment alone to talk?” Elliott offered.


    “That’s not necessary — your meetinges first,” Christina said. She set the box she was carrying onto the table. “My mom made these. You should try some. If you’re free this evening,e by for dinner.”


    “Sure,” Elliott agreed without hesitation.


    “Bain, La invited me to an auctionter today. Want toe along?” Christina asked casually.


    Bain shook his head. “I can’t this afternoon. Take Jordy with you instead.”


    “Alright.” Christina turned to Elliott. “I’ll let you get back to work — I’m heading out.”


    Once she left the room, Bain’s gaze sharpened as he looked at Elliott. “You’re close to my sister?”


    “We’re good friends,” Elliott answered honestly.


    “Do you have romantic feelings for her?” Bain asked bluntly.


    “I do,” Elliott replied, without pausing.


    “If you intend to marry into this family, you’ll need more than my parents’ approval,” Bain said, his tone frosty. “You’ll have to satisfy me and my two brothers as well.”


    Elliottughed softly. “I’m prepared for that. But you’ve noticed it too — she doesn’t see me that way. If her feelings aren’t mutual, I won’t risk what we already have.” Sometimes, preserving a friendship was enough. Changing the dynamic without shared feelings would only create distance.


    Bain said nothing more and smoothly steered the conversation back to business. “Have a seat. Let’s continue with the project.”


    Auction House.


    Alban’s eyesnded on Jordy and the woman standing beside him. A faint crease formed between his brows. Wasn’t she connected to Bain? Why did she seem so familiar with Jordy instead — had his information been inurate? He had seen photos of Bain with this woman before. And the child she was carrying… could that be Bain’s? That seemed unlikely. The woman was clearly Apresh, and she wouldn’t have a mixed-heritage child.


    Alban studied the little girl more closely. She was unexpectedly charming, and he felt a strange sense of recognition.


    Sensing his gaze, Christina and Jordy both turned and spotted Alban. The moment Christina saw him, her brows tightened. A sudden thought struck her — she nced discreetly down at the child’s face. Only then did she notice a subtle resemnce between the girl and Alban. Could this child be his? But was a coincidence like that even possible?


    “Of all ces, we had to run into someone this irritating,” La muttered, casting Alban a hostile look. The Martel family couldn’tpete with the Jonesesmercially, so they often targeted the Wade family instead — and La remembered every slight. Having suffered losses because of Alban, her resentment ran deep.


    As Jordy passed him, he remarked pointedly, “Some people really know how to be a nuisance.”


    “Well said, Mr. Jones,” Alban replied, a faint smile touching his lips as his probing gaze lingered on Christina. Just who was she within the Jones family? He had seen photographs of her with Bain but had never bothered to look deeper into her background.


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