Chapter 482
Jacqueline’s implication was clear—she assumed the child was his.
But the timeline on that ultrasound report p>
A faint glimmer of hope flared up in Rowan’s mind.
However, just as the thought formed, Aaron cut in. “Enough. Elissa hasn’t even said who the father is, so what are you guessing for? I’m just annoyed that he couldn’t even take good care of her p>
The glimmer of hope was instantly snuffed out.
Rowan’s lips pulled into a self-deprecating smile.
Right. What was he thinking?
How could he foolishly hope the child was his?
He lowered his gaze. “You’re right. I failed to protect Elissa p>
He couldn’t protect her when they were kids.
And the same was true now.
After dinner, the older couple refused to overstay their welcome and insisted on heading home.
They didn’t let Elissa or Rowan see them out either.
Rowan had no choice but to arrange for Evan Murphy to drive them.
When Elissa walked her mentor and his wife downstairs, she couldn’t help but say, “Jacqueline, this whole mess started because of me. I’ve caused you two so much trouble p>
Jacqueline gave her a chiding look. “Child, we’re family. What’s this talk of trouble? No more of this polite nonsense p>
Elissa curved her lips into a smile. “Okay, I understand p>
Aaron simply stared at her slightly rounded stomach with worry. “Rowan still doesn’t know the child is his p>
“He doesn’t know yet.” Elissa lowered her eyes, resting a hand gently on her abdomen.
She needed to be absolutely certain that Rowan wouldn’t take his anger out on her because of Matriarch Paige Murphy.
Otherwise, there was no reason to tell him.
This child was her only family now; she couldn’t risk any issues with custody.
Jacqueline finally caught on, realizing why Aaron had cut her off earlier.
He really did know this girl best.
She was so used to having nothing to fall back on that she always left an escape route for herself.
Back upstairs, almost as soon as the older couple left, Rowan’s phone rang.
lan Murphy provided a clear, concise report. “Boss, I looked into Sean Cross p>
“He moved abroad twenty years ago and has a daughter. He returned
alone this time; his wife and
daughter are still overseas The house fre’s staying at is registered under his wife’s name. On the
surface, everything seems clean for
now p>
“Alright.” Rowan pondered for a moment. “What about the investigation into Elissa and DK Pharmaceuticals p>
At the mention of this, lan paused. “I just finalized the details p>
He seemed hesitant, but eventually spoke the truth. “If the mastermind behind DK Pharmaceuticals is indeed Orion Stone, then the feud between the company and Elissa goes incredibly deep p>
Rowan frowned. “What do you mean p>
“Do you know who the police officers in charge of Orion Stone’s arrest years ago were?” lan didn’t beat around the bush. “It was Elissa’s parents. One was the lead
investigator the other was
on the
front lines p>
Hearing this, Rowan abruptly stood up from the sofa and strode over to the balcony, his entire demeanor radiating a chilling intensity.
When lan didn’t get a response for a while, he asked in confusion, “Boss p>
Rowan tapped his fingers rhythmically against the railing, his voice low. “I recall
Elissa’s parents passed away in an accident p>
“Yes.” This was something lan had personally investigated back when Rowan brought Elissa to the estate.
A fatal car crash.
It was essentially the first task lan had done for Elissa, so he remembered it clearly.
And it was for this reason that Rowan’s subordinates had always shown her an extra degree of care growing up.
Rowan’s eyes darkened as he hit the nail on the head. “Did you ever confirm if it was truly an accident back then p>