The chief physician who performed Evelyn Grandelle's IVF procedure decades ago was Dr. Nicholas Hunter.

The silver-haired professor, now in his seventies, still worked on the medical frontlines.

In the U.S., doctors grew more respected with age, and septuagenarians still practicing medicine were commonplace.

Sophia Laurent had scheduled an appointment with him a week in advance.

Ethan Sullivan had an important meeting and couldn't accompany her.

She went to the hospital alone.

In the consultation room, Sophia handed over her mother's ID and explained her purpose in fluent English.

The elderly doctor adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and pulled up the decades-old records on his computer.

"Evelyn Grandelle is your mother?"

"Yes."

He sighed. "Her husband's sperm quality was severely compromised due to chronic alcoholism. Given her urgent need for cord blood to save her son, we recommended using high-quality donor sperm from the bank."

Sophia had braced herself for this.

That man who abandoned his family didn't deserve to be called a father.

"The success rate for half-sibling matches—"

"We used embryonic genetic screening technology," the doctor said proudly. "At the time, we were the only clinic in the world offering it."

Sophia offered a few words of praise before shifting the topic. "Could you tell me about the sperm donor?"

"That would be handled by my assistant."

The doctor rummaged through his drawer and produced a yellowed business card.

"Dr. Vincent 'Ren' Laurent still works here. But..." He paused meaningfully.

Sophia understood and thanked him before leaving.

The gilded lettering on the card had faded.

She immediately dialed the number.

Perhaps because they shared Chinese heritage, Vincent agreed to meet her the next day without hesitation.

This time, Ethan went with her.

Dr. Laurent, in his early fifties, had keen eyes behind gold-rimmed glasses.

"Why search for your biological father?" he asked bluntly.

Sophia answered honestly, "I want to know where my roots lie."

Vincent stroked his chin, studying her face for a moment.

"I'm sorry, that involves donor confidentiality."

Even when Ethan offered generous terms, the doctor refused.

Leaving the hospital, Sophia mused, "He seemed to know something."

Ethan gently touched her hair. "The U.S. takes privacy very seriously."

The next day, Sophia visited alone.

She waited outside the hospital until Vincent finished work.

"Just a name," she pleaded earnestly.

Vincent paused mid-step. "All I can say is that he's Chinese."

The vague answer left Sophia torn between laughter and frustration.

"You recognize me?" she asked, sensing something unusual.

Vincent smiled without answering and walked away.

The rest of their trip felt dull.

Though Ethan took her to famous landmarks, Sophia remained distracted.

After returning home, she distributed gifts to her family.

Sitting in the Laurent family's living room, her disappointment was palpable.

"Trouble?" Vincent Laurent brought over a fruit platter.

Sophia recounted her experience.

"Vincent 'Ren' Laurent?" Vincent suddenly laughed. "What does he look like?"

"Gold-rimmed glasses, very tall..."

A mischievous glint flashed in Vincent's eyes. "So it's him."

In the study, an international call connected.

"Why didn't you tell me back then?" Vincent got straight to the point.

A chuckle came through the phone. "So you could play the white knight?"

"Who was the donor?"

"That would cost me my medical license," Vincent half-joked.

Vincent named an exorbitant price.

"Wait until I retire," the other man replied, still tight-lipped.

Back in the living room, Vincent smiled mysteriously. "We're holding our wedding after New Year's. We'll get him drunk then."

"January 14th?"

"1314—a lifetime together." Vincent's eyes shone with tenderness.

Sophia's face lit up.

This sudden happy news gave her a glimmer of hope.