Silas lifted his head when he heard Althea's voice.
"Lilith went to the restroom."
Althea's heart skipped. She spun around and hurried toward the bathroom, calling back as she ran,
"Silas, pack everything up quickly. Ivy's already downstairs, and parking's a nightmare, we need to leave now."
Before the last word even left her mouth, Althea had already pushed open the bathroom door.
Inside, Solenn was standing on her tiptoes, stretching her small arms to reach the sink. She hadn't even had time to turn around before Althea rushed in, scooped her up, and carried her straight out.
Pressed against Althea's chest, Solenn froze in surprise. Her thoughts went blank. A soft, familiar scent surrounded her, warm, comforting, strangely reassuring. For reasons she couldn't explain, her tense little body slowly relaxed in Althea's arms, as if she belonged there.
By the time Althea returned to the break room, Silas had already finished packing. Althea took his hand without a word and ushered him downstairs at a brisk pace.
Meanwhile, Griffin returned after wrapping up his work and once again took his place outside the operating room.
The moment Luci Pearl spotted him, her eyes lit up. She hurried over, lowering her voice eagerly.
"Griffin, the operating room light just went out. The surgery must be finished. If we go now, we'll definitely catch Dr. Morgan."
Not far away, Lilith overheard every word. Her mind immediately started racing.
Althea had just completed a major surgery, she had to be exhausted. If Luci Pearl cornered her now, who knew what she might pull?
No. Lilith absolutely couldn't let Luci Pearl use this chance to show off in front of Griffin.
Even though she hadn't completely confirmed whether this tall, imposing man was truly the father Solenn had spoken about, Lilith decided she wasn't taking any chances.
But instead of responding to Luci Pearl, Griffin calmly reached out and took Lilith's hand, guiding her toward the operating room.
That single action sealed it for Lilith.
So he really is Solenn's father, she thought. The one who did the DNA test with her.
Reluctantly, she had to admit, Griffin did seem to care deeply about his daughter.
And since Luci Pearl had already crossed the line by hurting her earlier, Lilith decided it was time to return the favor.
Being the little drama queen she was, Lilith slipped seamlessly into character.
Just moments ago, she had been perfectly fine. Now, as Griffin led her forward, she suddenly burst into loud, heart-wrenching sobs.
"Daddy! It hurts! I'm in so much pain!"
Griffin froze. He immediately crouched down in front of her, his face tightening with concern.
"Solenn, what happened? Where does it hurt? Tell me."
Luci Pearl's heart jumped. Standing nearby, she shot Lilith a sharp glare, silently warning her to shut up.
Unfortunately for her, Lilith wasn't Solenn.
She wasn't the kind of child who could be scared into silence.
As Griffin gently examined her, Lilith made sure to angle her arm just right, revealing the deep purple bruise left behind by Luci Pearl's grip.
The moment Griffin saw it, his expression darkened. The air around him seemed to turn icy.
"Solenn," he said slowly, his voice low and dangerous, "tell me, how did you get this bruise?"
A thrill of satisfaction rippled through Lilith.
She cast a quick, frightened glance at Luci Pearl, then looked back at Griffin with trembling lashes and a pitiful expression. She sniffled softly… and said nothing.
That single, fearful glance was all it took.
Griffin didn't need an explanation. He already knew.
The bruise on the child's arm, Luci Pearl had done that.
He turned slowly, his gaze locking onto her like a blade.
"Luci Pearl," he said coldly, "explain to me how Solenn ended up with this bruise."
Luci Pearl's heart slammed into her throat.
"G-Griffin, listen to me, I—"
Before she could finish, Lilith suddenly broke down crying and hurled herself into Griffin's arms, clinging to him tightly.
"Daddy, please don't blame Mommy," she sobbed. "It's Solenn's fault. Solenn was bad. Solenn made Mommy angry, so Mommy pinched her. Solenn's not a good girl… Solenn just needs to grow up faster. Then Mommy won't have to take Solenn to the bathroom anymore."
Each word hit harder than the last.
Griffin's expression went completely rigid. He lifted his head and looked at Luci Pearl again, this time with unmistakable fury.
"Luci Pearl."
The single word made her legs go weak.
"Griffin, I really—"
She couldn't go on. His eyes were terrifying. Luci Pearl could barely stop herself from snapping back at the child, even as fear knotted her stomach.
"How many times do I have to say this?" Griffin snapped. "If you want to take care of Solenn, fine. If you don't, then don't. I never forced you. She's my daughter, I'll take responsibility for her."
He took a sharp step forward, his voice rising with every word.
"She has a heart condition. She's fragile. I'm careful with her every single day because I'm afraid she might get hurt. And you—" his eyes burned, "you dared to pinch her?"
"Are you looking for trouble?"
The anger radiating from him was overwhelming.
Watching from his arms, Lilith felt a strange sense of admiration bloom in her chest.
He really does care about Solenn, she thought. Like a real father should.
Then another thought struck her.
Solenn had said the DNA test proved Griffin was her biological father. And Solenn looked exactly like her like Silas too.
If Solenn was her identical twin…
Lilith's thoughts spiraled wildly.
Could this man… be their father as well?
The idea alone made her head buzz.
Meanwhile, Luci Pearl stood frozen, clutching the hem of her shirt so tightly her knuckles turned white. She barely dared to breathe. Griffin looked like he might actually tear her apart.
She had to stop this now.
Forcing tears into her eyes, Luci Pearl let out a choked sob and suddenly pulled Lilith into her arms, hugging her tightly as if overwhelmed with guilt.
Lilith stiffened instantly.
Caught completely off guard, her small body went rigid.