Collided at the restaurant.

Realizing he couldn't continue, Alex slowly put down his hands, and Neil Pearson secured the item. Lilian gazed at the couple, allowing a wicked grin to linger on her lips deliberately.

Isabel felt disappointed. Her husband couldn't purchase the jewelry worth five million dollars for her in front of everyone present, and now, Lilian was already taunting them, seeing them as poor. Furious, she planned to retaliate against Alex once they departed from the auction venue.

"I will recreate this exact design and many others like it," Lilian whispered to Aiden. He was taken aback and turned to give her a surprised look.

She could design something similar to this? That would put their company in competition with the design world in France and Germany.

"Are you certain?" Aiden inquired. She would undoubtedly be a valuable addition to MetroXcel. Ultimately, he decided to invite Lilian to join his family for dinner over the weekend.

***

"You are utterly incapable of being my husband. Can't you even buy that jewelry for me, even if it costs five million dollars, in front of everyone at the auction?" Isabel reproached Alex as soon as they entered the car.

"Such a sum of money could greatly benefit the company and help us stay afloat. We are on the brink of bankruptcy, and you're thinking of squandering it on such frivolous jewelry?" Alex looked at her with irritation.

What kind of irrational woman was Isabel? She had a collection of gold and diamond jewelry, and all of them were expensive and rare pieces.

The costly and designer pieces of jewelry that Lilian owned now belonged to her by default. Despite having such a vast collection, Isabel still desired to acquire a piece that paled in comparison to what she already had in her possession.

"Lilian was taunting us. She was happy that we lack the money and wealth of Neil Pearson," Isabel lamented.

"But that's the reality. Isn't the Pearson family wealthier than the Simmons and the Dominics? So why does it matter if Lilian mocks us?" Alex countered.

He understood. It was because of Lilian that she expressed a desire for the jewelry. She intended to use it to show off in front of Lilian.

It was his mistake. He shouldn't have heeded her foolish request. She had pushed him into a situation where he lost his self-confidence.

Just then, Lilian walked past their car and got into the same car as Aiden. He was going to drop her off at her place before heading home.

However, Lilian mentioned that her car was at the company, and suggested that he should drop her off there instead. Aiden agreed and instructed the chauffeur to drive to MetroXcel's headquarters.

Lilian retrieved her car and headed straight to Maureen's place. However, Maureen and Ryan had gone out for dinner and gave her a call, informing her to return home instead.

They would drop Aurora off at Lilian's place before heading home. After that, Lilian went back home and treated herself to a lavish meal. She was happy to have met new people. It was enjoyable, and Mr. Max's introduction to groundbreaking people was the key to advancing in her profession.

***

Maureen and Ryan dined at the city's most renowned restaurant. Aurora was like their own child, and Maureen couldn't help but appear motherly as she noticed many people staring at her. Maureen selected the dishes while Ryan poured the drinks. They resembled a real family, and no one doubted they were not the little girl's parents.

As they ate to their fill, Aurora suddenly had the urge to ease herself.

"I need to pee..." She announced in a distressed tone.

"Sure, let me ask the waitress to show you the way," Ryan replied, signaling to a passing waitress.

"Show her the way to the restroom, will you?" He ordered the waitress, who nodded with a smile before taking Aurora by the wrist away.

Maureen felt a pang of worry as Aurora left the table with the waitress.

"Are you sure she'll be okay on her own?"

"Maureen, she'll be fine. The waitress will accompany her, and besides, we're in a safe place," Ryan reassured her, patting her hand.

Allen arrived in town on a different day than originally planned and decided to make a pit stop at the restaurant for dinner. Accompanying him were his assistant Cooper and his two bodyguards. After finishing his meal, he excused himself to use the restroom.

While on his way there, he unexpectedly encountered the waitress and little Aurora, who was returning to the restaurant from the female bathroom. They nearly collided with him, causing a brief moment of chaos. Thankfully, his two bodyguards reacted swiftly, stepping in to assist the startled waitress and the young girl.

Upon laying eyes on the little girl, Allen was taken aback and rendered speechless. Aurora bore a striking resemblance to him, with the same eyes and features. Looking up at him, Aurora appeared somewhat apprehensive of the tall stranger.

His bodyguards exchanged puzzled glances, silently questioning each other about the situation unfolding before them. Who was this girl, and why did she bear such a striking resemblance to their boss?

Could it be possible that Master Allen had a daughter of whom he was unaware? The waitress and the little girl remained rooted to the spot, both seemingly captivated by the moment. The waitress appeared dazed, clearly taken aback by encountering this handsome man whom she had accidentally bumped into at work.

"I... I'm sorry, Sir," She stammered apologetically while bowing, but Allen remained silent, his focus fixed on Aurora. He was astonished by how closely she resembled him.

"Who is your mother?" In a calm yet authoritative tone, Allen asked.

There was only one woman who could be the mother of his child, and he had been searching for her for the past five years.

The woman he had a one-night encounter with on that cold night— he wished to find her for so long. He had left before dawn, and when Cooper reached the room, she was no longer there.

Allen's question momentarily puzzled the young girl. This man was a stranger, so why was he asking about her mother? She lifted her head to gaze at the man before her, and a realization struck her. If he was asking about her mother, then he must have some connection to her. Could he possibly be her father?

"Are you my father, Sir?" Aurora suddenly asked, a glint of excitement shimmering in her dark eyes, much to the shock of the waitress who stood by, looking on helplessly.