Her words exploded in my mind like a thunderclap . My blood ran cold , my very breath freezing in my lungs . It wasn't just deceit . It wasn't just betrayal . From the very beginning , her plan was to consume me whole . To leave me barren , to turn me into a stepping stone , a laughingstock for the entire world . From the next room , I could still hear their soft , conspiratorial laughter . My fists clenched so tightly my nails dug into my palms . The urge to kick down the door and tear them apart was primal . But not yet . The time wasn't right . I took a deep , shuddering breath . Amanda , I gave you a chance . You're the one who chose this path to ruin . The last shred of warmth in my soul evaporated . I pulled out my phone and dialed Mr. Carter . " I want a complete investigation into Evan and the Vance family . Every financial transaction , every dirty secret you can dig up . " " She wants a live - broadcasted welcoming gala ? Fine . We'll give her one . A party she will remember for the rest of her miserable life . 14.20 Chapter 1 3 A month passed , and the day of the grand welcoming gala for the Smith heirs arrived . The ballroom glittered with the city's elite , a sea of tuxedos and designer gowns . The air buzzed with camera flashes and whisper- ed gossip . For the past month , I had been a ghost , using an " overseas business trip " as an excuse to stay away . Amanda , I heard , was thrilled to have the space . The moment she left the retreat , she'd taken the children to a villa she'd bought for Evan , playing house like a happy little family of four for two days . Inside the ballroom , the main topic of conversation was , of course , the promised 20 % of Smith Corporation shares . " I heard Mr. Smith is signing the papers tonight , on stage ! These kids were born with platinum spoons in their mouths . " " The Smiths are certainly generous with their heirs ... " Amanda , dressed in a breathtaking couture gown , looked radiant . Motherhood had given her a new , softer beauty . The moment she saw me , she rushed over , reaching to take my arm with practiced intimacy , her voice sickeningly sweet . " Steven , you're finally here ! Come look at the babies , aren't they even more adorable than a month ago ? Everyone is calling them little angels ... By the way , where is " G ? Hasn't he arrived yet ? " I sidestepped her touch , my face an impassive mask . I didn't even glance at the twins . " It's a small affair , " I said , my voice flat . " Not worth troubling him . " Her perfect smile faltered for a fraction of a second . " How could this be a small affair ? It's his great - grandchildren's gala ... Is he not feeling well ? " Before I could answer , her mother swept in , laden with extravagant gifts . And trailing right behind her was Evan . Amanda immediately fell silent , retracting her hand . Evan , on the other hand , instinctively reached for one of the babie a paternal gesture he couldn't suppress . The baby even started to reach back . But his eyes met mine , and he recoiled as if burned , his face a canvas of guilt . I watched the awkward , tense dance between the three of them , a cold sneer forming deep in my soul . My nails were digging into my palms again . It wasn't until Mr. Carter discreetly murmured that it was time that I took a deep breath , reined in the storm of rage inside me , and for the first time , took the two infants into my own arms . I walked toward the grand stage at the center of the ballroom . The babies felt so small and fragile in my arms . Their features , so much like Amanda's , stirred a profound ache in my chest . If only ... if only they were mine . I would have been a good father . I would have given them the world . But they weren't . They were living , breathing monuments to my humiliation . The emcee's booming voice filled the hall . " Distinguished guests , thank you all for joining us to celebrate the birth of Anya and Emrys Smith ! As per the wishes of the patriarch , Mr. Smith Sr. , the Smith Corporation will be gifting 10 % of its shares to each of these beautiful children ! Tonight , you will all bear witness to this historic moment ! " From the stage , I saw Amanda sidle up to Evan in the crowd . They exchanged a look of Pure , unadulterated triumph . " And now , for the official signing of the share transfer ! If we could please have the official seal brought to the stage- " A waiter in white gloves approached , carrying a velvet pillow with the corporate seal . Every eye in the room was fixed on it . And then , I spoke . Chapter 1 " Wait . " My single word , amplified by the microphone , silenced the entire hall . In the next instant , the lights of the grand ballroom suddenly died , plunging us into absolute darkness . 14.20 1420 Chapter 2 Chapter 2 The twins , startled by the sudden dark and silence , began to wail . Amanda sensed the shift , the danger . " Steven , what are you doing ?! " she cried , trying to rush the stage , but my security guards moved to block her path . It was too late . Nignored her . A single , harsh spotlight cut through the black , illuminating the massive screen behind me . Mr. Carter quickly insert- ed a flash drive into a laptop , and the screen flickered to life . A video began to play . It was Amanda , visibly pregnant , locked in a passionate kiss with Evan . Then , an audio recording filled the silent room , her voice crisp and clear . " After the gala , I'll start slowly drugging his food . Make him sterile . By the time he figures it out , it will be too late . " " The Smith corporation , the children , and me ... it will all be yours , Evan . We'll crush every single person who ever looked down on us ! " Still holding the crying infants , I produced a new document . A second paternity test . My voice was as cold as the grave . " I have already contacted the police , " I announced , each word a hammer blow against Amanda and her family . " The heiress of Van- ce Industries and the son of a convicted murderer , conspiring to commit fraud and attempted murder . " " The evidence is this recording . And the fact that these children ... have no right to the Smith name . " The entire hall erupted in shocked gasps . " Steven , what are you talking about ?! You're insane ! " Amanda shrieked , fighting against the guards . " We already did a paternity test ! They are Smith blood ! That recording is a fake ! Someone synthesized it to frame me ! " She was going to deny it to the bitter end . I laughed , a harsh , grating sound full of derision . " A paternity test ? " " Do you have any idea what the Smith name means in this city ? Did you really think we would only do one test ? Did you truly believe that bribing one nurse at one hospital would be enough to secure your future ? " " The entire Vance family must be blinded by greed . You're tired of living , is that it ? " Beside me , Amanda's mother , finally snapping out of her panicked stupor , tried to regain control . She shielded Amanda with her body . " Steven , you can't make accusations like that without proof ! Whatever issues you have with my daughter , this is her children's gala ! We have guests ! This should be discussed privately , not turned into a public spectacle for the Vances and the Smiths ! " She still had the audacity to worry about the 20 % share . I laughed again , this time a sound of pure , incredulous fury . " It seems the video and audio aren't enough for you . The Vance family truly won't shed a tear until you see the coffin . Have you forgotten who you have to thank for the fact that you can still even show your faces in high society ? " 4 " Steven , why are you still wasting your breath on them ? " Before I could continue , a new voice cut through the chaos . My grandfather , leaning on his cane , his face a thundercloud of rage , strode into the ballroom . So , he had been alerted after all . 14:20 Chapter 2 His authoritative gaze swept across the room , silencing everyone . When he reached the Vance family , he flung a thick stack of papers at them - several paternity tests , from different , unimpeachable labs .