“Thank Alissa for me.


    ”


    Just then, Matthew entered, looking grim.


    Her stomach lurched, fearing the situation had escted.


    “Doreen, I gotta go.


    We’ll chatter, okay?”


    Ste ended the call abruptly.


    Turning to Matthew, she asked, “What’s wrong? Did the situation worsen?”


    Nothing else exined Matthew’s serious expression.


    Matthew shook his head.


    “It’s unrted.


    The paternity test results are here.


    ”


    Ste froze, and then her anxiety intensified.


    He handed her the phone.


    It was an electronic report from Cordell.


    Ste took a deep breath.


    Her palms grew slick with sweat within seconds, and her hands trembled.


    But upon seeing the final line, a wave of disappointment washed over her.


    Tears welled up in her eyes.


    The report stated no parent-child rtionship between her and Be.


    As she clutched the phone tighter, bitternessced her voice.


    “Is this urate?”


    “Yes,” Matthew replied in a low voice.


    “Cordell monitored the entire testing process.


    ”


    Ste stared at the report, her vision blurring.


    She reread it, disbelief clouding her mind.


    Matthew wrapped his arms around her.


    “It’s okay.


    I’ll keep searching for your mother.


    ”


    Ste’s heart sank with exhaustion.


    She nodded weakly, a muffled response escaping her Lips.


    Deep down, she’d clung to the hope that Be was her mother.


    But the reality on the screen was irrefutable.


    She had no choice but to ept it.


    Bitterness flooded her.


    Even the taste of her own saliva seemed tainted.N?velDrama.Org content.


    Unwilling to burden Matthew, she forced herself to calm down.


    “Good.


    This result means I can move forward and keep looking…”


    She paused, and then strained a smile.


    “Besides, so much time has passed, and my memory isn’t fully restored.


    I only recall some fuzzy fragments from my childhood.


    It’s normal to have some false leads.


    ”


    Matthew instantly saw through her facade.


    He gently ruffled her hair.


    “Don’t worry.


    I’ll do everything in my power.


    I will find your mother.


    ”


    Ste offered a weak smile in return, her mood heavy.


    Matthew held his thoughts close.


    He still believed the initial investigation was on the right track, especially considering Elizabeth’s alertness toward Ste.