Reba was dumbfounded. Seriously? Is May really such a scaredy–cat? she wondered.


    Tll go talk to him and put an end to his hopes for your mom,” May said quickly, trying to sound braver. “You


    go on inside.”


    Reba agreed.


    A few minutes <bter</b>, May and Ryan stepped into the hallway. May looked impatient but held back because Ryan was intimidating, and she did not want Ryan to say too much around Reba. “Whatever it is, say it quickly,” she said.


    “Is Reba really the child between Amelia and me?” Ryan asked, locking eyes with May, his presence almost overpowering.


    “Dream on!” May shot back without a second thought, her toneced with pure hatred and disgust. “You told Amelia to get rid of the baby, remember? She almost died on <b>that </b>operating table.”


    Ryan’s hand stalled by his side. Memories surged up from the past, leaving him stunned and silent for a


    moment.


    “Amelia doesn’t want to see you, and she never will,” May said firmly, practically kicking him out. “If you don’t want to send her into shock right after she wakes up, you’d better leave.”


    “She looks just like me,” Ryan pressed, refusing to let it go.


    May got savage with hereback. “Oh yeah? Well, I look just like your dad. Should you start calling me Daddy now?”


    Ryan’s expression darkened.


    May swallowed hard, feeling a little jittery all of a sudden.


    I’m already running a DNA test on her, Ryan replied, his tone cool and unhurried, carrying a kind of refined confidence. “We’ll know soon enough if she’s really my daughter.


    “Then just wait <b>and </b>see.” May tossed over her shoulder, striding off without another word.


    As Ryan watched her walk away, his secretary leaned in and whispered, “Judging by her reaction, Reba probably isn’t your kid.”


    Vin’s eyes


    went dark. “Find some way to get a sample from Reba. If you really can’t, forge one and bluff May with it.”


    The secretary nodded. “Got it.”


    May couldn’t shake her anxiety. Amelia was dead set on cutting all ties with Ryan, and thest thing Amelia wanted <b>was </b>for him to catch wind of Reba.


    % GD


    Thinking about all that. May rang up Jeffrey just before stepping into the hospital room. Tm back in Jshing Can you meet me in an hou?”


    Reba had no idea what <b>had </b>just happened. She was in the hospital room, holding Amelia’s hand and chatting, ignoring everything outside. When May walked in, Reba casually asked, “All done?”


    May nodded. “Yeah.”


    “Looked like you were a little afraid of him. Reba teased.


    “Afraid of a jerk like him? As it. May snorted, pulling up a chair and sitting down, totally unfazed, “I just didn’t want your mom to hear his voice and get all worked up. She’s never liked him”


    Reba didn’t say anything more. Clearly, her mom’s story had moreyers to it, but since May wasn’t about. to spill, Reba didn’t want to press May.


    “If he or anyone with him tries to approach you, just stay away from them, May said after thinking it over. “Don’t let them get close, okay?”


    Reba nodded. “<b>Okay</b>,”


    May wanted to warn <b>Reba </b>to keep more than just her distance–she had to make sure they didn’t get any of her stuff, like a hair or anything. But May couldn’t say it outright. Reba was smart enough to catch on.


    They spent some time chatting with Amelia, and about an hourter, May got a text from Jeffrey: [Top floor. rightmost office. Someone will <b>bring </b>you in<b>.</b>]


    Keeping her expression neutral, May stood up. I’m <b>just </b>going to the restroom. Wait here for me.”


    “Okay.” Reba just nodded, not suspecting a thing.


    It didn’t take long before May was ushered into the top–floor and found herself sitting across from Jeffrey.


    Jeffrey pushed a cup of coffee over to her, his manner polite and <b>almost </b>too formal. “So, what brings you


    here?”


    “Weren’t you the one who wanted this meeting?” May shot back. She didn’t even bother with the formality.


    “I’m curious about Reba’s mother,” Jeffrey <b>said</b>, sounding unhurried. “Would you be willing to <b>enlighten </b>me?<b>” </b>


    May arched <b>an </b>eyebrow, <b>thinking</b>, ‘Why is everyone suddenly <b>so </b>obsessed with <b>Amelia</b>?‘ She hesitated for <b>a </b>moment, keeping her guard up, <b>and </b>then asked, “What do you know already?”


    Jeffrey’s eyes showed nothing as he thought about Riley’szy streak since she returned. He guessed, “She’s a top hacker and once took a kid under her wing.”


    May raised an eyebrow, impressed. She shrugged, “If you know that much, the rest should be easy to <b>find</b>.” She had no idea Jeffrey was setting a trap.


    “I could,” Jeffrey replied, still <b>calm </b>as ever, “but she’s hidden this so carefully. It’s clear she doesn’t want anyone


    “The only reason I know about the backing thing is pure luck. I just wanted to check if you <b>think </b>I should keep looking <b>into </b>it.”


    Harry could only roll his eyes, thinking to himself, Mr. Hanson is seriously the biggest scammer out there?


    May <b>paused </b><b>and </b>then said, “Amelia will be awake soon. Just ask her yourself when she’s up.


    “So… this, Jeffrey said, taking out a test report and handing it over, his tone clearly probing. “Should I let


    Reba in on this?


    May epted the report with a confused look, but as <b>soon </b>as she read what was on it, her eyes widened in shock.


    Jeffrey noticed May’s confusion <b>and </b>said, “Richard has been tough on Reba, and Ryan looks a lot like her. Considering recent <b>events </b>and Reba’s birthday, it all adds up.”


    May rubbed her temples, thinking, “So that’s how Ryan put two and two together.


    “If anyone’s going to tell Reba, it should be Amelia, May said, her tone weighed down by everything Ryan had just said. “But before that<b>, </b>I need you to help me out with something.”


    Jeffrey nodded politely. “<b>Go </b>ahead.”


    “Ryan’s having a paternity test done with Reba,” May said quietly. “I need you to alter the results and make sure he doesn’t find out the truth.”


    “He’s not running any tests,” Jeffrey stated with absolute certainty.


    May was taken aback and then quickly recounted everything that had happened <b>earlier</b>.


    Jeffrey shrugged. “He was trying to mess with you. My guys have been keeping tabs on his crew. He hasn’t gotten close enough to grab anything from Reba.”


    May paused and then realized he was telling the truth.


    Jeffrey smirked, “He’ll strut in soon with some shaky DNA report. Just stay cool and don’t give anything away. Then he’ll be clueless.”


    “<b>And </b>how do you even know all that?” May couldn’t help but ask.


    “Let’s just say Mr. Guzman and I… we think alike,” Jeffrey replied, handing the report to Barry with an easy, almost teasing grin.


    May stared at him, trying to figure him out. Then a suspicion popped into her head. “Wait–you don’t really know Amelia’s a hacker, do you? You were just trying <b>to </b>trick me.


    Jeffrey admitted without a care, “That’s right.”


    May was left speechless, cursing inside, ‘Unbelievable. Everyone is scheming like a devil.”


    $55 Vouche


    “I’ve got some business with Reba, so Fll head out,” Jeffrey said, standing up. He was tall, striking, and impossible to ignore. “If you need anything else, just give me a call.”


    May was left thinking. You’re such a devil. Am I actually crazy enough to keep turning to you for help?” <fn514a> Discover more novels at </fn514a>


    Completely clueless about what was on May’s mind, Jeffrey strode out of the office with those long legs of his. He still needed to go exin everything from this morning to Reba.


    田