Ian was still immersed in his own guilt and continued, “I’ve been treating you like a daughter all this time. I overstepped, and I hope you’re not angry. I, an old man, have my selfish reasons for not wanting to lose contact with you.”


    Tina came back to her senses and smiled, “It’s okay. If you like, I can also consider you my grandfather.”


    Hearing Tina’s words, Ian was moved to tears.


    How could he not be moved when Tina was willing to call him grandfather?


    Ian patted Tina’s hand and it took him a while to speak, “Good, good, good.”


    With those three affirmations, Tina’s eyes also began to mist.


    Every time she saw Ian, she felt a very strange sensation.


    It was a feeling that she had to be close to Ian.


    Not out of duty, not out of necessity, but instinctively, naturally wanting to be close.


    When she received the paternity test results, her emotions were not calm.N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.


    She was happy.


    Happy for herself, and for her mother.


    If her mother was Alina, then whatever the Whittaker family had done, she didn’t need to care anymore.


    Because in this world, there were indeed true family members who cherished her, protected her, loved her.


    Tina and Ian talked for a long time,ughter and joy never ceasing.


    After dinner that evening, Tina left the Brookes family’s home.


    She didn’t call Jared to pick her up; instead, she walked alone, her expression solemn.


    Her paternity report could not be wrong.


    She must be rted to the Brookes family by blood!


    The mistake must be on the Brookes family’s part!


    Who didn’t want Ian to recognize her?


    Could the disappearance of her mother have another reason?


    Thinking this, Tina’s lips slowly curved into a smile.


    The Brookes family, truly intriguing.


    Behind her, a discreet ck Bentley drove slowly, even slower than the electric bikes passing by.


    Inside the car, Jared sat in the back, silently watching Tina’s figure.


    “Mr. Farrell, shouldn’t we ask the madam to get in the car?”


    Jared shook his head, “No, Tina is in a bad mood. She wants some time alone.”


    Nathan nodded, though he didn’t understand how Mr. Farrell could tell her mood just from her silhouette.


    At the Brookes family residence.


    Ian was still sitting in the yard.


    “Dad, Ang is leaving. She asked me to give this to you,” Jack handed over a bag.


    Ian looked inside and found all of Ang’s savings and a few clothes.


    Ang was his bodyguard in Clearwater, raised by his side since childhood, treated like his own daughter.


    But Ang’s background was somewhat special.


    She was a child he had picked up during a crackdown on RST, only four years old at the time, remembering only her name as Ang.


    She wore a bracelet engraved with the initials of the Five Poisons.


    He knew Ang was the daughter of the Five Poisons.


    But at that time, since the Five Poisons had fled and Ang was young and innocent, he took her in.


    Before Alina disappeared, Ang loved to follow her around, like real sisters.


    After Alina was abducted, Ang cried for a long time. After her tears, she told him she wanted to train in martial arts to protect him for Alina’s sake.


    Over the years, he had never told Ang about her true identity.


    And Ang had always regarded him as her biological father.


    One day, Ang suddenly handed him the bracelet and asked, “Is my biological father the same man who abducted Sister Alina back then?” From that day on, Ang knew her origins and was immersed in guilt. He tried many times to console her, but she was stubborn and wouldn’t listen, insisting on leaving the Brookes family to find Alina herself. Naturally, he did not permit it. Ang had never left the Brookes family before, and going out alone, she could encounter any number of dangers. Despite her skills, her naive and stubborn nature made it easy for her to be led astray.


    But Ang persisted. She sold everything the Brookes family had given her over the years, converted it into cash, and returned it to him, then took up a job to save money, all to atone for her father’s sins. Ian saw all of this and it pained him, for she was the child he had raised. Moreover, his youngest son still pined for Kiki and remained unmarried, preserving his chastity.


    Now that Ang wanted to leave, he could not stop her. He let her go willingly and arranged for someone to secretly protect her, ensuring she wouldn’t fall into any traps. Ian secured the package, “When that stubborn girl returns, give this to her.” Jack nodded, “Dad, there’s one more thing. Ang said during the paternity test, she left for ten minutes.”


    “Left for ten minutes?” Ian frowned, “Where did she go?”


    “Rachel had a car ident. She called Ang. Since the blood samples had already started processing, Ang went to handle Rachel’s situation first and returned after settling everything.” Ian’s brow remained furrowed, “How is Rachel?” Jack helped Ian to his feet and into the room, “She’s fine, just a minor scrape. She was just scared and called Ang in a panic.”


    “That’s good. Give her a call tofort her. She wanted toe to Ashbury with me earlier, and I didn’t agree. She’s probably a bit upset.” Jack merely responded and showed little reaction. Ian knew his son well, “Even if she’s not your real sister, she grew up with you. Show some concern. I remember she had a conflict with Scarlett before, and even Scarlett has forgiven her. Haven’t you?”


    “I’m not petty, but it’s hard to like her. I can be nice to Ang, but with Rachel…” Jack trailed off. Rachel, adopted by Ian when she was young, was never quite embraced by her brothers, even though Alina used to enjoy ying with her. It wasn’t because of theck of blood rtion. Ang wasn’t a Brookes child either and was actually from an enemy’s family, yet the brothers liked her.


    But with Rachel, they could only maintain superficial niceties. Ian, observing Jack’s demeanor, gave him a stern look, “Regardless, she’s your sister. Since we adopted her, you need to treat her properly.” Jack pursed his lips, “Dad! She has no blood rtion to us and can’t rece Alina. I can’t treat her the way I treated Alina.” It wasn’t just about blood rtions. Jack had tried topensate for what he owed Alina by being nice to Rachel, hoping others would do the same for their sisters. But with Rachel… Ian nced at him, wanting to say something, but ultimately held back, “Suit yourselves then!”