The test had been conducted at Healthwell Hospital which was partly owned by the Blakely Group. In other words, the paternity test was completely reliable.

Shirley pressed her lips together and carefully placed the documents aside, wondering whether she had been overanalyzing everything.

Marnie's premature birth after a so-called fall down the stairs, choosing a hospital far from Claire and Sergio, lack of breast milk post-delivery, and keeping the baby's one-month-old banquet a secret from her and her father, were these all mere coincidences?

“Why did you accuse Marnie without evidence? Can you explain now?"

Sergio asked.

Shirley forced a bitter smile. "I'm sorry. Just chalk it up to my jealousy of Marnie. Stop the car, please."

The driver, ready to brake, glanced at Sergio's expression in the rearview mirror and quietly eased off.

Sergio stated firmly, “I want the truth." Shirley's firm request for a paternity test and her shocked reaction to the results didn't seem fake.

Shirley lowered her eyes, staying silent. Involving Tyrone and Trevor, she couldn't disclose what happened that day or speak of that experience.

Thinking of Tyrone, Shirley suddenly remembered the look in his eyes before he left, as if he knew her plan. Actually, there were two possibilities if the paternity test was accurate. The first possibility was that her suspicions were unfounded. The other one was that Sergio was the person who had raped her that night.

This idea sent a shiver across Shirley. She had always pushed aside this notion. How could Sergio, always composed and kind, be capable of such violence?

Shirley then recalled meeting Trevor at the hot spring resort. Trevor had mentioned, “Our company is having a team-building event." If it was indeed a team-building event, then Sergio must have been at the resort too.

“Shirley?" Noticing her deep in thought, head bowed, Sergio nudged her with his elbow.

Shirley jumped in fright and stared at him with fear in her eyes.

Sergio looked puzzled. “What's the matter with you?" Her gaze at him was as if he were a criminal.

"I... I'm okay." Shirley looked away and instinctively moved to the side. "Please... Stop the car... I need to get out."

"You didn't answer my earlier question. I need the truth.”

"I... Can I explain another time?" Shirley felt conflicted, unsure how to face Sergio.

"No." Sergio's face remained impassive. "Shirley, today you came to me out of nowhere, speaking in puzzles. If you don't clarify things, I'll assume you're jealous of Marnie and causing trouble. In that case, I can't let you go. What if you try to harm Marnie and Rogelio?"

Shirley murmured, “I would never harm Rogelio."