Goodbye

"LX is a global company," one person said, expressing their thoughts. "I don't think it's a loss if they acquire our company."

"Yeah, it's not," another chimed in. "We're just worried that they won't keep us and lay off all the staff."

Someone immediately exclaimed, "Ah... That would be bad."

In the MN Building, tension filled the air, and an indiscernible pressure hung over the surroundings. It was as quiet as a graveyard. The reason for this stifling atmosphere was the impending acquisition of the company by the LX multinational company, scheduled to take place in half an hour.

LX was owned by the influential Stone family, with Elliot Stone at the helm. They were considered the dominant force in the business sector, holding significant power and influence.

The elevator on the top floor dinged, and the doors slid open, revealing a man stepping out. It was Elliot Stone, the President of LX. With his tall, upright figure and handsome appearance, he wore a custom-made suit jacket over a white pleated shirt. Although his attire appeared simple, it was made of limited edition clothes. However, the normally expressionless face of Elliot now displayed anger as he rushed towards the door, seemingly searching for something. The limited edition suit he wore showed signs of wrinkling from his quick movements.

"Could it be that the negotiations have failed?" speculated some uninformed subordinates, concern lacing their words. "LX won't give up on us, will they?"

Amidst the chatter, Elliot continued his search until he stopped abruptly. His secretary hurriedly approached him, holding a crying baby in her arms. Unable to console the infant, she had no choice but to hand the baby over to his father.

Elliot took the baby in his arms, and miraculously, the crying ceased instantly. Yet, he had only just met his son for five minutes.

Just moments earlier, Elliot had been discussing the acquisition with his secretary. Suddenly, the cry of a baby interrupted their conversation. Both of them turned their attention to a package in the corner of the room.

The secretary cautiously approached and opened the package, revealing a shocking sight. Even Elliot displayed a rare expression of surprise on his face.

Inside the box was a baby, crying and flailing on all fours. Although taken aback, the secretary quickly scooped up the baby in her arms.

Confused, the secretary looked at Elliot and said, "President, this..."

Without hesitation, Elliot reached out to hold the baby, and the secretary's hands were empty. As soon as Elliot cradled the boy, he quieted down, his eyes fixed on his father.

Elliot gazed back at the baby, captivated by his beautiful, shining black eyes. Something stirred within him, a foreign feeling he couldn't comprehend. He felt an unexpected attachment to the child.

It was then that Elliot noticed a piece of paper clutched in the baby's hand. Furrowing his brow, he pulled it out and curiously unfolded it. The small handwriting seemed somewhat familiar as he began to read.

The letter read,

- Elliot, the baby is left to you. Take care of him. There is no need to mention my presence.

Elliot's expression turned somber. He flipped the paper over and saw the name of the sender. It was Avery.

A layer of ice seemed to cover Elliot's face as realization set in. He tightly clenched the card in his hand, his fingers trembling unknowingly. He scanned his surroundings, finding them empty, with only his assistant by his side.

Grimly, he settled back into a chair, his gaze filled with determination. Memories of the woman who deceived him a year ago, leading to their unwanted encounter

, flooded his mind. He felt a deep sense of annoyance.

Suddenly, a thought struck him, and he narrowed his eyes. He glanced at his assistant and asked, his voice laced with teeth-gritting frustration, "What happened to the person who delivered this?"

The assistant, quick-witted and efficient, responded immediately, "They are downstairs with our partner who just arrived."

Handing the baby back to the secretary, Elliot hastily made his way downstairs. However, when he reached the lower level, there was no trace of the person in question.

Unbeknownst to Elliot, Avery was still in the vicinity, skillfully blending into the crowd of people. But he couldn't see her.

Elliot's expression grew complicated. His anger surged as he thought back to a year ago when the woman tricked him into a relationship for fame and money. She drugged him and took advantage of him, only to disappear with a sum of money.

He never expected to encounter her again, but this time, she didn't come alone. She left a child in his arms, a child so innocent and adorable.

His anger intensified at the thought. She had taken a huge risk, nearly getting caught, and what angered him even more was how she managed to escape right under his nose.

The baby in his arms started crying frantically once again. Suppressing the unpleasant expression on his face, Elliot looked down at the bundled child.

His gaze turned complex, mirroring the turmoil within his heart.

Outside the building, Avery disguised herself in a staff uniform, pretending to be an employee of the company. After some time, she walked away from the crowd and gazed up at the top floor of the building. She tightly pursed her lips, feeling her heart constrict.

"I'm sorry, Daniel..." she thought sadly.

She couldn't do anything about it. She loved Elliot Stone deeply, but he couldn't see the extent of her love. He despised her.

A year ago, she deceived him into a night of passion, but afterward, fear consumed her, preventing her from facing him. It was during that time that she became pregnant. She gave birth to triplets.

Two months prior, the babies were born, and while the twins were healthy, the youngest boy was diagnosed with congenital leukemia. Moreover, he had RH-negative blood, a rare blood type. The only person she knew who shared that blood type was Elliot Stone.

Avery was burdened with numerous problems, including the exorbitant medical expenses and the challenge of finding a suitable bone marrow match.

Elliot was the only one who could fulfill both conditions.

Despite his hatred for her, Daniel was his own flesh and blood. Even a fierce tiger wouldn't harm its own cub.

And so, Avery took a gamble. She entrusted the child to him.

Knowing that the child had safely reached Elliot's hands, Avery breathed a sigh of relief. Though weighed down by sorrow and aching regret, she fought back tears and turned away.

Perhaps she would never see her son again. But she hoped he would live a good life...