Chapter 113

Before heading to his office, Derek found himself driving toward his parents' home. Because he had been very busy at the office the previous day, he had been unable to visit his father and tell him about Samantha.

Now, he wanted to do that before going to work since he knew he had another busy day ahead of him.

As much as he would have loved to tell his mother about Samantha, he knew he couldn't do that. At least not yet. She didn't like Evelyn enough yet to want to accept anything that came from Evelyn, and she might just extend her anger at Evelyn to Samantha.

That was something he didn't want since he wouldn't forgive her for it if she tried it.

He still felt a bit anxious over the lingering tension with his mother. He wasn't sure what to expect when he arrived, but he knew he couldn't keep the news of his daughter from his father any longer.

As he pulled into the driveway, the mansion loomed before him, reminding him of the legacy his family held. Derek parked and took a deep breath before stepping out of the car. The air was cool, a slight breeze rustling the leaves of the oak trees lining the property.

With determined steps, he approached the front door.

The door swung open before he could knock, and his mother stepped outside in her gardening clothes with the butler beside her.

Seeing him, her expression was a mask of cold indifference. She glanced at him briefly before turning away, her lack of a greeting stinging more than he cared to admit. The tension between them was evident, but Derek forced himself to remain calm, determined not to let her icy behavior affect him.

"Good morning, Mom," Derek greeted her pleasantly.

She didn't respond. Instead she headed in the direction of the garden without a word.

Derek watched her retreating figure for a moment, the silence between them thick with unresolved issues.

But he pushed it aside, focusing on why he was here. If she was going to be this way, then he was going to let her be. Without another glance at her, he made his way toward the study where he knew his father would be.

Expecting him to stop her or try to beg her, his mother turned when she didn't hear him following her, and she scowled when she realized he had ignored her, too.

It was all Evelyn's fault that wretched golddigger, she reasoned.

lightly before pushing it open. His father, who was seated behind his massive mahogany desk, looked up from the papers on his desk, surprise flickering across his features as he

morning, Dad. Do you have a

said, leaning back in his

desk. "No problem, Dad. Actually, I've got some good news." His father's eyes softened as he noticed the eager look on Derek's

his pocket and pulled out his phone. "First, I wanted to let you know that I've made some progress concerning our last conversation. I've managed to

impressed. "That's fast work, Derek. I

new came up... or rather, someone new. I discovered something." He paused for dramatic effect, then pulled up the picture of

that?" His father asked when

his brow furrowing in confusion as he studied the image. "Who is this pretty little girl?" he asked, looking

father's eyes widened in shock, his mouth dropping open slightly as he looked between the photo and Derek. "My granddaughter?" he repeated, incredulous. "Are you pulling my leg, Derek?" Derek chuckled, shaking his head. "No, Dad. I'm serious. I found out about her two days ago. I wanted to tell you sooner, but I've been swamped at work and didn't want to share the news over the phone." His father stared at him in disbelief for a moment

mother, isn't

she stayed back to have the child. She couldn't tell me earlier because of her past

slightly as he asked the following question. "Are you sure the child

Evelyn is even open to the idea of a paternity test if

joy. "A granddaughter!" he exclaimed, shaking his head in amazement. "You know, I've always wanted a daughter, and now I have a granddaughter. This

but boast a

bond, Dad. I'd already been interacting with Samantha long before knowing she was Evelyn's daughter. I met her at the hotel the first day they got into the country, and we've been good friends

being a father," his father said, and

even more happy about being Samantha's father. She's brilliant, and she's

"I'm not interested in hearing all those details from you right now, Derek. I want to see

"We'll have to arrange

to meet you. After meeting Evelyn's parents

to her, " his father asked, and Derek

It was her father who cut her off. But they resolved things last night," Derek said and then told his father

them about hacking Michael's phone, did you?" He asked, and

I agreed not to say anything to them. The fewer people that know about it, the better," Derek said, and his father

Both men stopped talking, their expressions

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