บททั้งหมดของ UGLY? No More!: บทที่ 61 - บทที่ 70

Julian Cross had always been his rival in silence, the man who never looked at him but somehow overshadowed him at every turn. If this was true, if Mira was his, Leonard wasn’t about to let Julian claim what belonged to him.He rubbed his temple, his mind whirring.He couldn’t just barge in and demand answers, that would make him look like a fool if he was wrong. But he couldn’t ignore it either. Every instinct in him screamed that Mira was his flesh and blood.A plan began to unfurl in his head, sharp and deliberate.Step one: confirm the truth. If Mira was his daughter, he needed proof, something undeniable. A strand of hair, a toothbrush, anything that could give him the DNA results he needed. Quietly. Without Elara or Julian catching on.Step two: if the proof aligned with his suspicions, he would move quickly to stake his claim. The law was on his side; he was the biological father, after all. Custody battles could drag for years, but with the right lawyers, the right pressure, h

Mira blinked, clearly confused at the fuss, then brightened as if the most obvious thought in the world had just struck her. “So does this mean you’re getting married? Because Grandma Lydia said when a prince kisses the princess, they always get married after.”Julian’s composure finally cracked. A low chuckle escaped him, warm and utterly smitten. He knelt to Mira’s height, brushing a stray curl from her cheek. “You think so, huh?”“Yes!” Mira chirped confidently. “And then you can stay with us forever. Mommy won’t be lonely, and I’ll have Daddy here every day!”Elara’s heart squeezed so tight it hurt. She tried to protest, to gently steer her daughter’s enthusiasm elsewhere, but the two women seated on the sofas were practically glowing with amusement.Vivienne leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with delight. “Perhaps our little Mira is the wisest one in the room.”“Agreed,” Lydia said smoothly, casting a sideways glance at her flustered daughter. “Maybe we should just let the child

Elara lingered in the bathroom longer than she needed to. She had already washed her face, smoothed her hair, and freshened up, but her reflection in the mirror betrayed her, flushed cheeks, sparkling eyes that couldn’t quite hide the nervous anticipation.“Pull yourself together, Elara,” she muttered under her breath, pressing her palms to the cool marble counter. But her lips wouldn’t stop curving into a shy smile.When she finally opened the door, the sight that greeted her nearly stole her breath.Julian was there, leaning casually against the edge of the bed, his jacket abandoned, his shirt sleeves rolled up just enough to reveal strong forearms.He looked up at her, and the smile that crossed his face was devastating, slow, deliberate, and entirely aware of its effect on her.“You were hiding,” he said, his tone velvet smooth, his eyes sharp with amusement.Elara swallowed, trying to mask her nerves. “I wasn’t hiding. I was… freshening up.”He tilted his head, gaze sweeping her

Julian’s sleek black car purred down the long driveway of the Cross Estate, sunlight flashing across its polished body.Mira stood at the steps with Vivienne and Lydia flanking her, the little girl waving her doll Eira so hard it looked like the toy might fly from her grip.“Bye bye, Mommy! Bye bye, Daddy! Don’t be late!” she shouted, all too pleased to play the role of royalty sending her parents off.Julian leaned out the window and saluted playfully, earning Mira’s delighted laugh, while Elara pressed her hand to the glass with a smile that softened her nerves.Once they were past the gates, though, her phone buzzed insistently in her lap. She glanced at the caller ID: Ava.“Work already?” Julian teased, sparing her a quick side glance.She sighed, answering, “It never waits.” Then into the phone, she said, “Good morning, Ava.”Her assistant’s brisk voice filled the car. “Morning, Elara. I’ve been fielding calls since dawn. The big one, you should know, the Shaw Group is requesting

The executive boardroom was glass walled, sleek, with sunlight spilling across the polished table.Elara set her sketch portfolio down, the click of her heels echoing in the otherwise silent room.Leonard trailed behind her, his expression unreadable, though his eyes never strayed far from her.Julian had lingered by the door, gaze flicking between them, a muscle in his jaw tightening.“You’ll be fine,” he murmured to Elara, close enough for her to feel his warmth, his voice meant only for her.He wanted to stay. God, he wanted to stay. But duty pulled him away, he had his own board to face, contracts to finalize. And though he didn’t like leaving her with Leonard Shaw of all people, he also trusted her enough not to hover like a jealous teenager.Elara gave him a small nod, grateful but calm. “Go. I can handle this.”Julian’s hand brushed her knuckles, brief, subtle, but grounding. Then he forced himself to step away, exiting with one last backward glance.The air shifted the moment