Lucius called Amelia with urgent news: Owen had managed to slip away and was now at the Spencer family’s private hospital, where Victor was recovering.

The news hit Amelia like a physical shock, but she quickly steadied herself. Panic wouldn't save her son. After a tense consultation with Lucius and Sophia, they devised a plan. Sophia would go ahead to claim Owen. As Amelia’s closest friend, Sophia was the only one who could plausibly claim the child was hers without raising immediate suspicion.

"Don't worry, Amelia. I’ll get him back before anyone connects the dots," Sophia promised as she hurried toward the hospital.

Ten minutes later, Amelia and Lucius followed, carrying a selection of high-end nutritional supplements to maintain their cover as concerned visitors.

"Stay focused," Lucius whispered as they stepped into the hospital corridor. "Just follow the lead we’ve established."

Amelia nodded, her heart hammering against her ribs. As they approached Victor’s suite, they heard a sound that stopped Amelia in her tracks—Victor’s hearty, genuine laughter.

"You little rascal, you’ve trapped my queen again!" Victor’s voice sounded more alive than it had in weeks.

"It’s just a simple tactic, Mr. Spencer. You were looking at the wrong side of the board," a soft, childish voice replied. It was Owen, sounding uncharacteristically polite and sweet.

Amelia pushed the door open, and the scene inside was almost surreal. Owen was perched on Victor’s lap, both of them leaning over a tablet displaying a chess game. The room was scattered with toys and snacks—a high-tech robotic dog sat on the coffee table, a testament to Victor’s sudden generosity.

Sophia stood to the side, looking like a mother caught between relief and nervousness.

"Amelia!" Sophia cried out, her acting pitch-perfect. "I can’t believe it! After all this time, you finally show up?"

Amelia took a breath, forcing herself to look at Victor instead of her son. "Mr. Spencer, who are these people?"

"This is a friend of Chris’s... former associate," Victor introduced, his eyes gleaming with affection for the boy on his lap. "She came to collect her son. This bright young man is Owen."

"You... you look just like a friend I used to have," Sophia continued the charade, her eyes welling with tears.

Before Amelia could answer, Owen slid off Victor’s lap. He walked toward Sophia, taking her hand. "Mom, this lady is very pretty. She looks like the lady in your old photos."

Amelia felt a surge of pride. Her son was a natural. "You’re a very charming boy," she said with a faint, distant smile.

Owen blinked, a flash of recognition in his eyes that he quickly masked by hiding behind Sophia. "Mom, I’m shy. Let's go."

"Forgive him, he’s tired," Sophia said, crouching down to hug Owen. "Say goodbye to Mr. Spencer. We’ve disturbed him enough."

Victor stood up, looking at Owen with a wistful expression. "Time flies. He’s a remarkable boy. His father must have been a man of great character."

Sophia’s expression dimmed. "My late husband was... exceptional. He was from Zephyria, which explains Owen’s unique features."

Victor nodded solemnly. From the moment he saw Owen, he had felt an inexplicable bond—the boy reminded him so much of Chris as a child. But Sophia’s explanation seemed to close that door.

"Goodbye," Sophia said, leading Owen toward the door. As they passed Amelia, she paused. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Ms. White. Perhaps we can be friends?"

"I would like that," Amelia replied graciously.

Just as they reached the threshold, the door swung open. Chris stood there, his imposing figure casting a long shadow into the room. Leila followed closely behind him.

Amelia held her breath. Chris’s gaze immediately dropped to the child.

"Whose child is this? He’s adorable," the assistant behind Chris remarked. "Wait... he looks strangely familiar."

"Owen, don't wander off," Sophia said coldly, her voice sharp as she caught sight of Chris and Leila. She tried to move past them, but Chris’s voice stopped her.

"Wait."

The word was like a block of ice. Sophia’s back stiffened. Chris walked up to Owen, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized the boy’s face.

"You’re very handsome, sir," Owen said, looking up at Chris with wide, innocent eyes. "Almost as handsome as my dad was."

Chris raised an eyebrow, the suspicion in his eyes warring with a sudden, strange curiosity. "And who was your father?"

"That’s none of your business," Sophia interrupted, stepping between them. "We don't have time for interviews."

"Sophia, where are your manners?" Leila sneered, crossing her arms. "We’re just asking a question."

"I have plenty of manners for people who deserve them," Sophia retorted, her voice dripping with disdain. "Unlike some who spend years waiting for a ring that never comes."

Leila’s face turned a brilliant shade of red. "You—!"

"Enough," Chris cut in, his eyes never leaving Owen. "You said he is your son?"

Sophia’s palms were slick with sweat, but Owen didn't falter. He stepped forward, looking Chris directly in the eye. "Yes. Is that a problem?"

The boy stood his ground against Chris’s overwhelming aura, his small reflection mirrored in Chris’s dark eyes. In that moment, Owen thought: So this is him. He’s handsome, but he’s the reason Mom was sad. I won’t let him know who I am.

"Mom, let’s go. This man is making me uncomfortable," Owen said, pulling Sophia’s hand.

They hurried out, leaving a heavy silence in their wake. Amelia and Lucius soon followed, making their excuses to Victor. In the parking garage, they encountered Chris and Leila once more near their cars.

"What a coincidence," Leila said with a forced smile. "It seems we’re all frequenting the same places these days."

Amelia met her gaze with a calm, unbothered expression. "The world is smaller than you think, Ms. Ross. Especially when people are looking for things they’ve lost."