Theron’s grip tightened around the file, his knuckles turning pale.
A storm gathered in his eyes.
Then he reached the next line.
She had been released two days ago.
And right outside the prison gates, she had signed divorce papers.
His gaze shifted to the final page.
A photograph.
Taken five years ago.
His pupils shrank.
He brought it closer.
There, just beneath the corner of her eye – a small red mole.
Exactly the same.
He remembered it clearly.
The woman from that night five years ago…
She had the same mark.
No…
It couldn’t be.
But –
His eyes locked onto the photo.
Memories began to resurface.
Theo’s resemblance to her.
The child’s immediate attachment.
Could it really be…?
After a long silence, Theron slowly unwound the strand of hair from his wrist. He wrapped it carefully in a handkerchief and handed it to Rhys.
“Run a paternity test.”
Rhys nearly dropped it.
But one look at Theron’s face stopped him from asking questions.
He turned and left immediately.
Theron sank onto a bench in the dim hallway, elbows resting on his knees, fingers interlocked.
Shadows cut across his sharp features, making him look even colder than usual.
Inside, though, his thoughts were anything but calm.
He didn’t believe it.
He couldn’t believe Scarlett was the kind of woman who would abandon her own child.
But the evidence in front of him made it impossible to ignore.
Moments later, Rhys returned with a sealed envelope.
“Sir.”
He handed it over.
Theron looked up slowly, his expression tight.
He took the envelope.
Opened it.
And began to pull out the report –
His phone rang.
He paused.
Scarlett.
His brows drew together slightly. After a brief hesitation, he set the envelope aside and answered the call.
“Hey… I forgot to mention something,” her gentle voice came through. “Theo has a sensitive stomach. The fruit needs to be warmed before he eats it. And the medication Dr. Nyx prescribed – there are dietary restrictions. No spicy food, nothing too harsh. And no radishes.”
As she spoke, careful and attentive, the tension in his expression slowly faded.
“Got it,” he said quietly. “I’ll remember. …Yeah. Get there safe.”
When the call ended, a faint smile returned to his lips.
His gaze lingered on her name on the screen – Scarlett – as if simply looking at it was enough to soften him.
Rhys blinked, staring.
The boss… smiled again?
Was something wrong with the world today?
Before he could make sense of it, Theron picked up the envelope again – then sealed it without looking inside.
He handed it back.
“Destroy it.”
“…What?” Rhys froze. “Sir… you haven’t even read it.”
“No need.”
The words were calm. Final.
Rhys stared at him, completely lost. “Then why did you have me run the test in the first place?”
“She’s not.”
Theron’s voice didn’t waver.
She was genuine with Theo. Anyone could see that.
He trusted his judgment.
She wasn’t cruel.
And if she wasn’t cruel… she couldn’t be the kind of mother described in that file.
He refused to doubt her.
And reading the report – that would be doubt.
Even if she never knew, he wouldn’t allow himself to cross that line.
So the report had to disappear.
“Not what? She’s not who? What are you even talking about?” Rhys felt like his brain was about to short-circuit.
Theron only gave him a brief glance, offering no explanation.
“Warm up the fruit for Theo.”
“Oh – right. Yes, sir.”
As Rhys walked away, he kept glancing back, still completely baffled.
What is happening today?
Nothing makes sense anymore…
Then again – understanding his boss was way above his pay grade.
Better to just do the job.
“Boss, we’re here.”
Howard pulled the car up in front of a towering glass skyscraper.
Scarlett stepped out and glanced up. Sunlight reflected off the sleek facade, the building rising so high it almost disappeared into the sky.
SH Entertainment.
Just as she closed the car door, a familiar voice called out behind her.
“Scarlett? What are you doing here?”
She turned – completely unsurprised to see Sadie.
Today, Sadie was dressed to impress in a fitted designer dress, her makeup flawless and camera-ready.
“You’re not here for an audition too, are you?” Sadie let out a light, mocking laugh. “I’ll give you this – you’re pretty. But this is SH Entertainment. The biggest agency in the city.
You think you can just walk in and become an actress?”
Her smile sharpened.
“Let’s not forget – you did five years in prison.”
Scarlett didn’t react. She simply asked,
“You’re auditioning?”
“Obviously.” Sadie lifted her chin. “The female lead in this project? It’s mine.”
Scarlett gave a faint smile – cool, unreadable.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.