Chapter 444


    The sound reverberated through the room, and all eyes turned toward the entrance.


    Paolo was there. His thigh was braced in a splint, and he was seated in a wheelchair. His hair had


    turned much whiter, and lines seemed to have etched deeper into his face. His eyes, filled with guilt


    and remorse, sought out ra.


    Edwin was the first to block his path. “ra doesn’t need a father like you. Why don’t you go back


    and dote on your illegitimate child?”


    Paolo didn’t re up at his son’s harsh words. Instead, he pleaded softly, “I just want to see ra. It


    doesn’t matter if she epts me or not.”


    “You’re here to see if she’s alive or dead, is that it? ra have suffered so much all because of


    Heidi’s madness. If ra hadn’t been smart this time around, she and her child would probably be


    shark bait by now.”


    “Eddie, I realize my mistakes. I never imagined Heidi would do such a thing. I’ve hurt ra. Just let


    me see her, to say I’m sorry. That’s all I ask.”


    As they argued, ra’s cool voice cut through from behind. “There’s no need. We have nothing to


    discuss. And Mr. Paolo, please remember, Casey is the only father I acknowledge.”


    Paolo’s gaze lingered on her face – soposed and proud, the spitting image of May. He looked


    at her remorsefully. “ra, I’m sorry. I’ll give you all my fortune as your wdding gift if only you’ll stop


    hating me. Please, give me a chance to atone.”


    Hearing this, Ian pulled ra into his embrace with a protective air. “Paolo, if ra had been killed


    by Heidi’s fire, do you think any dowry could bring her back? She was tied up and beaten by Heidi


    on that ship, nearly burned alive. Do you think a simple apology can erase it all? If you hadn’t


    colluded, Heidi would never have escaped prison, and ra wouldn’t have been hurt so badly,


    almost losing her child. There’s a debt to be paid for these wrongs, and we won’t let them go lightly,


    no matter who the person is.”


    Paolo, with tears streaming down his face, grasped Ian’s hand. “Ian, I’ve watched you grow up.


    Don’t be so heartless. Your father-inw and your dad have already beaten me. Isn’t that


    punishment enough?”


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    Ian’s response was a coldugh. “When you joined forces with the four major families to attack the


    Hayes family, where was yourpassion then? If it weren’t for Eddie’s sake, do you think you’d


    still have the chance to stand here and talk?”


    At that moment, two police officers approached. They presented Paolo with an arrest warrant.


    “Paolo, you are under suspicion of business collusion and conspiracy to escape prison. You’ll need


    toe with us.”


    Paolo couldn’t believe how ruthless Ian was being. He looked at him in disbelief. “Ian, I’m ra’s


    father, your father-inw. Is this how you treat me?”


    “My father-inw is Casey, never you, and it will never be.”


    After saying that, Ian signaled the officers with a nod and said firmly, “Take him away.”


    As Paolo was led out, the room returned to a semnce of peace. Ian patted Edwin on the


    shoulder. His expression was stern. “He hurt ra. I couldn’t just stand by. I’m sorry.”


    Edwin shook his head. “I don’t me you. He’s getting what he deserves.”


    Holding ra’s hand, Ian walked out of Marian’s hospital room, passing by Heidi’s room just as a


    young nurse rushed up to him. “Mr. Hayes, Heidi is refusing treatment. She won’t eat or drink. She’s


    trying to kill herself.”


    Ian paused, casting a nce inside the room. For the first time since the incident, heid eyes on


    Heidi.