Lance's demeanor shifted to seriousness, yet he maintained a confident air. "That person being there so late at night means he's after something. I bet he hoped for a payout from us, but he's too scared to expose us. And even if he did, who would suspect us?" His reasoning was clear and calculated.

"You're right. Lance, you really are clever," Marlene agreed, her voice filled with admiration. She couldn't hide her delight at Lilah's setback. Once they took over the Phillips Group, Lilah would be under her control, and she relished the thought of having power over her.

The Phillips Group had a tough day.

That evening, Gerard picked up Lilah for dinner.

Jerrold, leaning close to Lilah, shared his adventures at school, bringing a warm, sunny feeling to her heart.

Over dinner, Gerard inquired about her investigation.

Lilah was frank. "I've looked into his relationships. They seem straightforward, but I suspect there's more to it."

Gerard added thoughtfully, "He's generally an honest man. Yet, his family has a preference for boys over girls.”

This piece of information seemed significant.

Lilah's mind raced. "Prefer boys to girls? But he always seemed close to his wife. The neighbors even say he's a model husband."

She was puzzled.

A man favoring sons over daughters wouldn't typically show such affection to his wife and daughter. Moreover, this man, being over thirty and without a son, should be anxious.

"Maybe he has a son elsewhere," Lilah speculated.

Gerard looked at her with admiration.

“Lilah, you're sharp. If this child isn't his wife's, then he must be illegitimate."

“So, he's doing this for his illegitimate son," Lilah concluded.

“Exactly,” Gerard confirmed, handing her a document.

She opened it to find medical records of an eight-year-old child with cancer.

The pieces fell into place.

He had concealed his actions well, hiding behind the facade of an honest man. Who would have guessed that such a person had an illegitimate child?

Lilah gently stroked Jerrold's hair, watching him eat with obedience.

"He was too greedy. Having a child like Jerrold is enough for me."

Gerard agreed with a nod. "I think so too."

Jerrold looked up at Lilah with sweet, happy eyes. “Mommy, you should eat more. Having you makes every day happy for me."