LOGINLeonard didn't invite the man to sit.His eyes remained fixed on Cedric's face, trying to remember the man who claimed they had met when Leonard was a child. All he could recall was a vague image of someone who had appeared at a family gathering once, then vanished from the Ashcroft family's life."I don't remember much about you," Leonard finally said."That's understandable." Cedric smiled faintly. "Margaret made sure no one would."Leonard remained standing in the doorway."If you've come here just to reminisce about the past, then this isn't the right time.""I'm not interested in talking about the past either." Cedric glanced inside the house. "May we talk for a few minutes? Or would you rather let the neighbors overhear our conversation?"Leonard considered it for a moment.Ash was still asleep upstairs.The nanny was also inside the house.Finally, Leonard stepped aside.Cedric walked in calmly, his gaze sweeping across the modest living room. There was none of the luxury that
The lawyer on the other end of the line didn't answer immediately.He understood that Leonard's question was no longer a legal matter.It was a matter of the heart."If everything goes smoothly," he finally said, "Sebastian will be able to file for adoption after the marriage. Of course, the court will still consider Adele's consent, Elena's well-being, and many other factors. But legally speaking, his chances are very strong."Leonard looked at Ash, who was still happily playing with the buttons on his shirt.The baby giggled, completely unaware that a single conversation was changing the course of his father's life."Then..." Leonard paused for a moment. "Can I stop it?"The lawyer was silent for a few seconds."You can, if you choose to assert your rights as her biological father."Leonard didn't answer right away.The choice was there.With proof of their biological relationship, he had legal grounds to challenge the adoption.The process would likely be long.Contentious.But cer
Sebastian was still holding Adele's hand when silence settled over the room once again.There was no panic in his eyes.Only the vigilance he had rarely allowed anyone to see."I just received an update from my security team," Sebastian said at last. "Cedric has begun contacting several law firms. He isn't really after custody of Elena. That's just his way in. He wants a legal excuse to get close to her."Adele frowned."Then why is Leonard involved?""Because Leonard is gathering documents as well."Sebastian's expression remained calm."Not to take Elena away.""Then what?""To stop Cedric."Adele fell silent.She was no longer surprised to hear that Leonard had changed. Ever since he sent that signed declaration, she had begun to believe that he truly had no intention of separating her from Elena.But that only made everything more complicated.If Leonard became involved, the Ashcroft name would once again be tied to Elena.The media would start digging into the past.Cedric would
At Adele's apartment, the peace that had finally returned slowly began to unravel.Sebastian had just ended a call with the law firm that had been handling Adele's and Elena's legal affairs for years. His expression was far more serious than usual.Adele noticed the change immediately."There's something you haven't told me, isn't there?"Sebastian nodded slowly. "I was waiting until everything became clearer."She set her teacup down on the table."Who requested Elena's records?"Sebastian let out a long breath before answering."We only confirmed their identity this morning."The room suddenly felt much heavier."It wasn't Leonard."Adele didn't seem surprised.Ever since she had received Leonard's signed legal declaration a few days earlier, she had begun to believe that he truly wasn't behind all of this."Then who was it?"Sebastian opened the folder he had brought with him.Inside were copies of several legal documents.One of them contained the identity of the person who had re
Leonard remained silent for a long time after the call ended.His phone was still in his hand, but his mind had already raced through countless possibilities.Custody rights for Elena.Those words echoed so loudly in his head that he had almost missed the rest of his lawyer's explanation.But there was one thing he knew with absolute certainty.He was not the one who had filed the request.Leonard had only recently decided to stop forcing himself into Arabella's and Elena's lives. There was no way he would secretly prepare a legal petition at the same time.He immediately called his lawyer back."We need to meet."An hour later, they were sitting in a small conference room.The lawyer spread several documents across the table."This isn't an official lawsuit yet," he explained. "It's only a notice that someone is gathering legal documents regarding Elena's legal status."Leonard slowly flipped through the pages."Who's requesting this information?""That's the problem. The request was
His meeting with Vanessa lingered in Leonard's mind throughout the drive home.For years, he had blamed Vanessa for all the chaos in his life. But now that every mask had fallen away, Leonard saw something he had never wanted to admit.They shared the same regret.The difference was that Vanessa had lost her freedom because of revenge.Leonard had lost his family because of his own arrogance.When he arrived home, he was immediately greeted by Ash's cheerful laughter from the living room.The moment the baby saw Leonard, he stretched out both little arms toward him.That simple gesture made Leonard stop in his tracks.Just a few weeks ago, Ash would cry every time Leonard held him.Now, the baby was looking for him.Leonard walked over and carefully lifted his son into his arms."Daddy's home."Ash let out a happy squeal and grabbed the collar of Leonard's shirt.The nanny watched them with a smile."Young Master waits by the door every afternoon now."Leonard looked at her."What do
Adele’s words made Leonard fall silent for a few seconds.Her tone was calm. Not judgmental. And somehow, that was exactly what made him uneasy.He studied her more closely.“So you already think I’m that terrible?”Adele slowly sipped her coffee.“I’m only stating facts.”“And everyone lies someti
Vanessa’s words sounded like a joke.But Leonard knew she wasn’t truly joking.He let out a quiet breath before finally looking away from Adele.“You’re overthinking this.”Vanessa lifted a brow slightly.“And you’ve been looking at another woman for far too long.”Leonard gave a short laugh and ca
Sebastian’s words made Adele slowly lift her head.“Back to London?”Sebastian gave a small nod.His gaze dropped to Elena, who was still giggling happily in Adele’s arms, completely unaware that their lives were about to change again.“Vanessa is almost in her final trimester,” Sebastian said as h
Two days later, Sebastian returned to New York as promised.But something felt different the moment he stepped into the apartment.Not the place itself.But the woman standing near the large living room window.Sebastian stopped for a few seconds by the door.Arabella—No.She didn’t even look like







