Chapter 407



Nora took it off naturally. Next, she took out a small plastic bag, placed it inside and put the bag in her pocket.

When taking DNA samples, you have to rub the cotton tip in the subject’s mouth with a little force to get the oral mucosa.

Therefore, it would feel a bit uncomfortable.

However, kind Mia endured the discomfort without saying anything and played along.

After the DNA sample was successfully retrieved, Cherry, in an attempt to play along with Pete’s game, said, “Now it’s my turn, Pete!”

Pete: “…”

He looked at Cherry with disdain and said, “Don’t you find this very childish? Let’s not play this game anymore. Of course, if you really have to, I don’t mind playing along.”

Cherry: “?????”

She fell silent and pulled out her phone. “After all, I still find phone games more fun.”

“…”

As the kids were talking, Justin, seemed to have noticed what Nora was doing. He approached Nora and asked quietly, “Do you suspect that Mia might be Tanya’s daughter?”

Nora nodded. “Tanya gave birth to a baby five years ago, but she lost the child.”

Something clicked in Justin’s head, and he asked, “Do you need me to look into it for you?”

Nora thought for a moment. “Okay.”

She didn’t have enough manpower. Besides, it wasn’t her forte either. She and Tanya hadn’t known each other before five years ago. The two had met while searching for their children.

With Justin’s help, the investigation could move faster.

Justin suddenly asked, “Do I get any reward if I help?”

“…”

Nora stared at the face of the man in front of her. Even after being gone for a day, the man still looked clean and fresh, not at all greasy looking. In particular, in the dim lighting of the car, the man’s face even seemed to have a veil of light on it.

Nora suddenly withdrew her gaze, and her throat moved a little.

If she kept looking at him any longer, she felt she might not be able to avoid kissing him.

She coughed and replied, “Forget it, then. You don’t have to help me.”

Justin: “…”

🍙 🍙 🍙 🍙 🍙

Joel drove Tanya back to the villa in the suburbs.

The villa was a bit far away, so it was already half past nine when they reached the outskirts.

As soon as the car stopped, Tanya got out of the car. She waved at Joel and said, “Bye!”

“… Aren’t you going to buy me a glass of water?” asked Joel.

Tanya blinked.

She simply knew Joel too well. Asking him for a glass of water was just an excuse. She took a bottle of mineral water and handed it to him.

The thick Joel said, “Oh, my bad. Can I use the bathroom?”

Tanya: “…”

She could no longer refuse.

Surely she couldn’t make him hold it for more than an hour, could she?

Joel got out of the car nonchalantly and followed her into the house. Tanya couldn’t help but grumble, “You obviously went to the bathroom before you left the amusement park!”

Without batting an eye, Joel replied, “Yes. My kidneys aren’t very well.”

“…”

However, Joel did not go to the bathroom after entering the villa. Instead, he lured Tanya to the couch and sat there. Before Tanya could say anything, he leaned over and pushed her down onto the couch.

Tanya had already realized what he intended to do the moment he held her down. At that moment they could feel each other’s breath on their faces. Tanya was so nervous that her throat went dry. “What are you doing?” she asked coquettishly.

“I’ve already held back for a whole day,” Joel replied.

Tanya: “?”

Joel said, “I’ve wanted to kiss you ever since I saw you at nine this morning.”

Tanya’s cheeks grew even redder.

The next moment, however, he asked quietly, “Tanya, will you marry me?”

Tanya was about to answer when he continued. “Are you willing to be Mia’s mother?”

Tanya’s shy gaze froze, and her heart suddenly went cold.

‘Mother’…

Her son was still missing, and yet she was enjoying bliss and happiness? She was not worthy of having that happiness!

That thought made her suddenly push Joel away. All her shyness of a moment ago disappeared. She looked at him in fright and said, “I… I have to think about it for a while. Why don’t you leave for now?”.

The suggestive mood instantly disappeared.

Joel knew it was because he had been too impatient. Even if he wanted Tanya to accept Mia, he had to persuade her slowly. He shouldn’t have mentioned that now.

After all, asking someone to be his daughter’s stepmother was very impolite behavior.

He looked down. After spending the day together, he had thought that Tanya did love Mia. That was why she had brought it up.

He nodded, straightened his clothes and left the house.

Seeing how lonely he looked from the back, Tanya wanted to explain and tell him that it wasn’t because she didn’t like Mia. She just… felt she wasn’t worthy of happiness. However, she couldn’t bring herself to say it.

🍙 🍙 🍙 🍙 🍙

Elsewhere, Justin took the rest to the Smith mansion. Cherry was a little reluctant to part with Nora.

Even though Nora always disciplined her – unlike her father, who coddled her and let her do what she wanted – Cherry still missed her mom.

However.

Cherry was very sensible. She knew that her brother needed her mom the most because she had not yet recovered from her illness. Therefore, as much as he missed his mom, he had to go to his dad.

Cherry hugged Nora’s leg and said, “Mom, I’ll miss you!”.

Sensing how clingy her daughter was being, Nora squatted down and gave her a kiss on the forehead. “You can come over anytime you want to see me.”

Cherry nodded immediately. Only then did she reluctantly approach Justin.

Justin held his arms out toward Nora and suggested, “How about a goodnight hug for the two of you, too?”

Nora rolled her eyes. She wanted to refuse, but when she met the man’s bottomless, aggrieved eyes, the words on the tip of her tongue did a 180-degree turn. In the end, the resigned woman stepped forward and gave him a hug.

The man threw his arms around her shoulders and hugged her a little tighter, as if he wanted to embed her in himself.

His deep voice sounded next to her ear. “Good night.”

Nora pushed him away without a word.

Next, Justin put Cherry in the car and drove away from the Smiths’ house.

As the car drove away, Nora finally whispered, “Tsk. Good night.”

Then she took Pete’s hand in one hand and Mia’s hand in the other, then led them into the living room.

Mia’s nanny was waiting for her in the living room. When she saw her, she took her by the hand, led her to her bedroom then prepared to clean her up and tuck her into bed.

Nora took Pete upstairs.

As soon as they arrived upstairs, the door opened to the guest room where Lily was staying. Lily was wearing pajamas and looked like she had just showered and was drying her hair with a towel. She said, “You’re back, Anti.”

Nora stopped and looked at her. “Are you finished with the work?”

“Yes.”

Lily had been busy since she’d returned to the States. She hadn’t even been back to the mansion for a few days. She had finally finished her work that day and had just gotten home to take a shower. She planned to get a good night’s sleep later.

Unexpectedly, Nora pulled two familiar looking bags out of her pocket.

Lily: “!!!!”

The corners of her lips tightened as she said, “Chief, this is exploitation. You know that, right?”

Nora coughed. Even she herself knew she was crossing the line, so she offered, “How about a 20% pay raise?”

Lily was being paid a very high salary. Her annual salary amounted to several hundred thousand dollars. A 20% raise would mean at least $150,000.

Lily immediately smiled at him and took the two bags from him. “No problem! Chief, what are you checking?”

Nora yawned. “Mother-daughter relationship.”

Lily looked at Nora with surprise. “Have you found yourself another mother, Chief?”.

Nora: “…”

Lily also felt she must be wrong. She looked at Pete and asked, “Do you have another daughter? Did you give birth to triplets then?”.

Nora: “…”

He coughed and said softly, “Get lost.”

“Okie-Dokie, I’ll change and go into overtime right now! I’ll let you know the results tomorrow morning.”

.

.

.