Chapter 1861


    The words hit Ronald like a ton of bricks, and he fell silent, his gaze shifting to Yulia, filled with an


    intricate web of emotions.


    Yet Yulia simply couldn''t contain the smile that Nathan''s words brought to her lips, a mixture of


    shyness and quiet joy that sent a chill through Ronald''s heart.


    He had thought he could brush aside the fact that she had confessed her love for Nathan, assuming


    it was just a convenient excuse to get rid of him. But now, even if he wanted to deny it, he couldn''t.


    It was just too self-deceptive.


    He knew that Yulia wasn''t the type to lie, and the look on her face now was undeniably genuine.


    Nathan, no longer paying Ronald any attention, swung the car door open, ready to usher Yulia


    inside.


    "Yulia!" Ronald called out again, and she turned to look at him, the smile instantly fading as she


    faced him, leaving her expression cold and distant. "You sure about this? What about Anya? Have


    you told him about her? You''re just going to trust him that easily? You''re not afraid of what might


    happenter?"d1


    Yulia''s response was even chillier, "This is my business, and I''d appreciate it if you''d stop bringing


    up things that no longer concern you."


    Disappointment filled Ronald''s face. "Do you even realize the consequences if something goes


    wrong? Can you handle that?"


    There was a brief silence before Yulia spoke again, "If I can''t handle it, then I''ll stick to him like glue.


    Wherever Anya is, that''s where I''ll be."


    Thement stung Ronald as though he had been pricked by a needle. Was she implying that they


    had discussed Anya''s situation the previous night? Did she really also disclose Anya''s background


    to Nathan?


    In a bout of impatience, Nathan cut the conversation short, brusquely guiding Yulia into the


    passenger seat.


    "Enough chit-chat with him."


    He mmed the door shut and walked over to Ronald, giving him a cold stare. "Get a grip, dude.


    Stop acting like some love-struck puppy. You pushed her away yourself, and now you want her


    back? You think the world revolves around you?"


    Nathan chuckled at his own words and gave Ronald a once-over with a scoff.


    N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    Ronald''s usually calm exterior cracked, and his forehead bulged with veins. Nathan didn''t care. He


    simply chuckled again, got into the car, and drove off with Yulia, who had buckled up and was


    smiling at him.


    "You are such a good sport today. I''ll make sure to give you a proper reward tonight." Nathan said


    with a wink.


    Yulia blushed, "That''s sweet, but I was just doing what I should. No rewards necessary."


    "Can''t have that. You''re too cute not to be taken care of properly."


    Yulia muttered, "You''re just looking for an excuse to y the rogue. Besides, that''s not a valid


    reason. I decline the ''reward,'' thank you."


    Nathan just smiled and didn''t respond, but Yulia felt a tremor inside. She knew that Nathan was far


    from as calm as he seemed and was probably scheming something.


    ...


    After dropping Yulia at her office building, Nathan wrapped her in his arms for a deep kiss before


    letting go.


    "Be good and wait for me to pick you up tonight."


    Both Yulia and Nathan were the talk of the town at the moment. They were well aware of the


    potential presence of reporters around thepany. Their public disy of affection was sure to stir


    the pot.


    The news was buzzing, with mixed reactions. Some criticized Yulia forcking principles, willing to


    forgive an affair for the status of Mrs. Harper. Others surmised that if the couple was this


    affectionate, perhaps the rumors of Nathan''s bar escapades were unfounded.


    Regardless of the online frenzy, Nathan and Yulia seemed unaffected.


    During the day, Nathan was particrly energetic in thepany, making his colleagues look down


    on those people online who were still specting about the true and false of their rtionship. In


    their eyes, those people were no different from clowns.


    Nathan was in a good mood today, and he had done twice the work with half the effort. He had


    completed all the work piled up yesterday, as well as today''s and tomorrow''s, before the end of his


    shift. He rested on his chair for a while, then picked up his phone and made a call.


    The call was quickly connected, and he straightened up from his chair and picked up a pen. "How''s


    the investigation I asked you to do?" He asked.


    The office was very quiet, and the voice on the phone could be heard faintly. "Not yet... it hasn''t


    even been 24 hours, and I''m investigating things from years ago. I need more time..."


    Nathan pursed his lips, threw the pen on the table, and leaned back into his chair. "Hurry up!" He


    ordered.


    "Actually, boss, instead of getting me to investigate all this, why not just take the opportunity to do a


    paternity test? That wouldn''t be wrong..."


    "You don''t know shit! Just do what I asked you to do and don''t meddle in other things." He hung up,


    and Nathan''s face wasn''t looking too good.


    A paternity test? If Yulia knew about it, wouldn''t she make a big fuss? Besides, Ronald was so sure


    that it was his child. If he took Anya to do a paternity test now and it turned out not to be his, he


    couldn''t even imagine what his feelings would be like then.


    Besides, for the life of him, Nathan couldn''t figure out any point of connection with Yulia that could


    have resulted in a child. The mystery of Anya''s parentage continued to haunt him. If he had to


    pinpoint it, the only time that matched up was that year in Brookside. The timing was right, but that


    was about it.


    How the hell could it be Yulia? He remembered distinctly, that woman was a virgin. And Yulia, she


    had been with Ronald for ages. It just didn''t add up.


    Rubbing his head in irritation, his good mood for the day was shot. After swiveling in his chair for


    what felt like an eternity, he finally stood up, his face set in a grim line as he strode out of the office.


    He drove straight to Yulia''s workce, timing it perfectly with her clocking out.


    Yulia practically jogged down to the car, still catching her breath as she asked him, "Howe


    you''re here so early? I thought you''d wait until after work. I just brewed some coffee, was gearing up


    for some overtime."


    "Overtime? Being the boss means you get to cut corners."


    Yulia chuckled, "Shouldn''t the boss set an example for the employees?"


    "What, they''re so dim they need me to model clocking in and out?"


    Yulia chuckled.


    "Besides, I’m setting an example now. If they want the luxury toe and go as they please, they


    should hustle and be the boss themselves."


    Yulia was at a loss for words. What he said was beyond contesting.


    They swung by the apartment to pick up Anya before heading straight to Greenfield Vige.


    "Shouldn''t we give Damon and Chloe a heads-up?"


    "And give them a chance to say no?"


    Yulia: "You are right."


    Nathan chuckled, "Don''t worry, they always have plenty of grub, enough for an army."


    That''s not what she was worried about. It wasn''t about the food – they wouldn''t miss a meal for her.


    But what was this sudden visit about?


    They were about to crash at their ce unannounced, and considering Damon''s temper, she wasn''t


    sure what kind of face he''d make seeing Nathan.


    To Yulia, it was fine though. Since he didn''t care, she guessed she''d go with the flow.


    --


    Chloe hadn''t stopped eating all day.


    Damon, out of fear that she wasn''t eating enough, kept trying to stuff her with all sorts of delicacies.


    Jane had been called here and made to stay long-term. After clipping a few fresh flowers for the


    house, she walked in on Damon spoon-feeding Chloe soup and couldn''t help but roll her eyes.


    "Damon, for heaven''s sake, can you think beyond filling her up? She''s got twins in there and needs


    to be careful with her weight right now. Overnutrition isn''t a good thing."


    Damon frowned, "She hasn''t eaten well today."


    Jane took a deep breath, "Ask your wife how she feels. Can she even stomach dinnerter?"


    Turning to Chloe, Damon saw her troubled expression, "I don''t want any more soup. I''m so full."


    "Really?"


    "Yeah. I might not have room for dinner."


    Setting the soup bowl aside, he said, "Take a break. We''ll have dinnerter."


    Chloe nodded, "I get hungry fast. I''ll eat plentyter."


    Damon''s lips quirked into a smile, "Sure, whatever you crave."


    Jane sighed, recing the old flowers in the vase with the new ones she had brought. Chloe''s eyes


    sparkled at the sight of the vibrant flowers. With her heavy belly, she couldn''t walk much these days.


    She was missing the season''s floral fragrance. Now, the sight and scent of the fresh blooms lifted


    her spirits.


    Damon, noticing how the gesture pleased Chloe, let it be.


    Just then, the sound of a car engine drifted from the yard. Damon had just started to frown when a


    child''s innocent voice called out from the door.


    "I am here to see the babies!"


    Chloe''s eyes shifted from the vase to the doorway as Anya''s tiny figure appeared, and her face lit


    up with joy. "Anya is here." Though they had just met a couple of days ago, the sight of Anya still


    filled her with uncontroble happiness.


    Damon, internally, felt a mix of emotions. It had been a while since his wife had seemed this happy.


    Was he losing his appeal?


    Anya happily clung to Chloe''s arm, fixated on her swollen belly.


    "It looks even bigger."


    Nathan and Yulia also entered.


    Damon frowned, "What brings you here again?"


    Nathan, unfazed, "Anya insisted on visiting Chloe."


    Yulia gave him a sideways nce, bemused. He was so smooth with his lies, not even a stutter.


    How shameless. And he actually used Anya as an excuse.


    Nathan raised an eyebrow at her, and Yulia pressed her lips together, staying silent.


    Chloe greeted Yulia with a smile.


    When women chatted, men usually had little to do. Damon stood and made his way upstairs.


    Nathan quickly scooped up Anya and followed. "Bro, wait, I need to talk!"


    Damon had no interest in stopping for him. Yet Nathan persisted, following him to the study.


    "Damon, be honest, have you ever messed up in the past?"


    Damon''s brows furrowed, "Messed up how?"


    "Women!" Nathan raised his voice. "Tell me the truth, were you a yer before? You can trust me,


    and I swear I won''t tell your wife."


    Damon shot him a frosty re, struggling to contain the urge to punch him, his voice icy cold.


    "Why did you ask?"


    Nathan clicked his tongue and nudged Anya closer to him, then pointed at the girl sitting on the


    table, herrge eyes gazing up at Damon. "Take a good look at Anya. I mean, really look. Come on


    Anya, give your big bro a fierce scowl."


    Anya, puzzled but obedient, replicated an expression identical to the one from the night before.


    "Yes, that''s the one!" Nathan turned to Damon, swallowing hard, his face a mix of hope and anxiety.


    "Damon, look at Anya. Don''t you think her eyes and her whole vibe, kinda resemble you?"


    Damon examined Anya for a moment, then shot Nathan a piercing nce.


    "So what are you trying to say?"


    Nathan seemed to grow even more nervous, "Well, what I mean is, if you''ve had your share of wild


    days in the past, could there be a chance that Anya is your daughter?"