Laverne watched Vanessa''s tantrum coolly before offering her analysis. "Vanessa, now is not the time to lose your temper. These women are just after his money. You''re different. You''re young, beautiful, and Walden Wells''s acknowledged girlfriend. Besides, he specifically asked you to bear him another child."


    Vanessa bit her lip and ced a hand on her stomach. "Advantages? He''s surrounded by so many women right now, I don''t even have a chance to see him."


    Her ns were in disarray. She had intended to get pregnant and secure her position with a child, but now, Wells had no time for her. And the future IVF treatments would require his participation.


    "We can''t lose ourposure," Laverne said, patting her shoulder. "I''ve made some inquiries. Although Walden Wells dated those women, there''s no real emotional connection anymore. He''s in a fragile state of mind and very guarded right now. We need to be patient and wait for the right opportunity."


    Just then, Vanessa''s phone rang. Her face lit up when she saw the caller ID. "It''s Walden Wells''s assistant!"


    "Quick, answer it!" Laverne urged excitedly.


    "Miss Shannon, Mr. Wells would like to invite you to lunch tomorrow. Are you avable?"


    Vanessa was ecstatic but tried to keep her voice gentle. "Yes, I''m avable."


    "A driver will pick you up from the hotel at nine in the morning."


    After hanging up, the heavy weight on Vanessa''s chest finally lifted. She turned to Laverne. "Laverne, Walden Wells invited me to lunch! He still cares about me."


    "Of course he does! How could those women evenpare to you? You''re a world- ss pianist!"


    Vanessa''s confidence returned. That''s right. Compared to those women who had nothing but looks, her chances were much greater. Besides, Walden had said he wanted a child with her.


    That meant he would only acknowledge a child born from her.


    At ten in the morning, a sedaning from the airport pulled up to the gate of Walden Wells''s vi Grieving the recent toss of his son, Wells had closed his doors to all


    visitors.


    A mother and daughter got out of a taxi. The mother was in her early fifties, and the


    daughter was tall, her in face etched with anxiety.


    After being questioned by the


    guards, an assistant came out and


    looked at the pair curiously before going back inside to report to Wells. At this point, Wells was in no good to see anyone. He waved his hand dismissively. "Send them away."


    "But Mr. Wells, she says she used to be your assistant, and she has a young woman with her."


    Walden Wells''s eyes shot open. "Is her name Olivia Wells?" he asked urgently.


    "Yes."


    "A girl? What girl?" Wells asked, confused.


    The assistant hesitated for a moment before replying, "This Mrs. Wells says the girl is your daughter."


    Walden Wells shot up from the sofa,


    his face a mask of shock and


    disbelief. Olivia had been his


    assistant over twenty years ago. She was clean and pretty and despite being married at the time, he had pursued her relentlessly. After a


    drunken mistake, she had quit and


    refused to see him ever again.


    It had been a brief affair. As hispany grewrger, the women in his life changed


    constantly, and he had long forgotten the fresh-faced assistant from his past.


    A daughter? He had another daughter out there somewhere?


    Having just lost his only son, he began to tremble with emotion. "Quick, bring them in!"


    Soon, Olivia entered with her daughter. Seeing a much older Walden Wells, Olivia''s eyes reddened. She gently nudged the girl beside her. "Yara, this is your father."