’’Ryle is right. No matter what, we won’t let him get away scot free....’’ Ivy also chimed in.

Maxim did not say anything. Seeing Daisy’s expressions, he felt like something was amiss. As if these people’s concern was completely irrelevant and she was thinking of something else.

’’Nobody will look for Lu Xian. He is not Angel’s father!"

Daisy’s declaration shocked everyone into silence.

"If it’s not Lu Xian, then...?" Diana was the one who broke the silence.

Daisy turned to look at Ryle, "Ryle is Angel’s biological father."

A strange silence fell over the place and suddenly, the air did not feel breathable. Daisy’s words were like a bomb that exploded on every person present over there.

In no time, everyone exchanged glances and cleared the place. Soon, it was just Ryle and Daisy.

Ryle looked at Daisy like he had many questions to ask, a lot of things to say but in the end, he could not utter a single word. When he saw the look of conviction on Daisy’s face, he held himself back from saying anything.

"We can proceed with the DNA tests,’’ Daisy calmly said.

Ryle’s finger curled into a fist, his hand shaking lightly.

Even till Daisy walked out of there, he couldn’t think. His thoughts went haywire. And his mind blanked out completely.

The DNA tests were conducted and towards the end of the day, the results were handed out.

Daisy did not seem to be interested in it. Ryle received it with shaky hands.

When his gaze landed on the ’99.9999% match, Ryle froze. His eyes turned red.

The atmosphere in the hospital hallway was awfully tense.

"Start the preparation for the surgery,’’ Ryle’s cold voice resonated in the place.

From the beginning to the end, he did not look at Daisy. Not even once.

The preparation for the stem cell test and surgery started soon after the relation between Angel and Ryle was discovered.

But the doctor took Ryle aside just before the procedure, "Mr. Harper, it is still unwise for you to be doing this right now. You were gravely injured and you haven’t properly recovered yet."

Ryle sat on the wheelchair, looking unfazed, "When do we start?"

The doctor was terrified of the man’s presence but in the situation, it was their responsibility to remind the patient of the possible consequences, "Although the baby’s condition is serious, we can keep her health in check for some time to allow you some space to recover better before we..."

Ryle’s gaze frosted over, "Start the procedure right away."

The doctor shivered.

Ryle had been desperate knowing that he could not help Angel. As much as he hated Lu Xian, he was dying to find the man to save his little girl.

But now he knew that he was her father. He was a match. He could help her. If he had to die for that, he would die without complaints.

Angel’s surgery took 18 hours and during this time, Daisy and Ryle had no interactions. Every time Daisy tried to talk to the man, he would avoid her.

So, all Daisy could do was sit in silence in front of the operation theatre. Diana and Ivy stayed by her side.

Maxim and Caleb had also stayed over at the hospital during this period.

After the surgery, the doctor did not immediately declare anything about how it went, "We need to keep the child under observation."

It was only on the second day when Angel’s vitals showed signs of improvements did the doctor declared, "The surgery was successful. You can see the child."

Daisy got up on unstable feet and turned to Ryle.

Ryle’s pale face showed a hint of smile as he looked at her, "Go,’’ he mouthed.

"Are you not..."

"I am tired. I will see her later.’’

Daisy nodded and entered the ICU. When she saw Angel covered in large equipments from everywhere, her eyes burned.

Daisy approached the little girl and gently held her fingers, looking at her wrist that was covered in needle marks, "It will all be fine from now on..." she whispered.

’’In the future, mommy will protect you even better..."

Daisy paused...

"And Daddy will too."

Daisy’s eyes welled up with tears. All was a part of her speculation during her stay at the Kingsley mansion.

Others thought she was certain about Ryle being Angel’s father. It wasn’t until the DNA results were out did she dare to confirm that her wildest conjecture, in fact, turned out to be true.

Daisy leaned down and kissed Angel’s fingers, "Just wake up quickly, baby... Don’t sleep anymore..." Tears rolled down her cheeks, dampening the hospital sheets.

One by one, everyone visited Angel.

"All of you have been for a while now. You should go back and get some rest," Daisy told Maxim and Diana.

When Daisy turned to Caleb, a complicated look flashed in her eyes, "You too, uncle. You should take some rest."

Caleb opened his mouth.

But before he could say a word, Daisy continued, "Make sure to come back. We have things to discuss."

Caleb’s eyes widened. His breath fastened, his fingers clenched and unclenched as he nodded, "I will come back," It seemed like he had expected this.

Diana hugged Daisy, "Don’t go overthinking about it. Angel’s surgery is successful and it is the best result we can wish for. Just take some time out and talk to Ryle... You both need to talk..." She whispered.

...

The next few days, Angel’s condition gradually improved.

But in all that time, Daisy barely exchanged a handful of words with Ryle.

Every time she sought him out, he would slip away, always with some flimsy excuse, always keeping her out of reach.

Yet, he stayed sharp and alert through Angel’s recovery, ready to move at the slightest sign she might need him.

Since he was avoiding her, Daisy decided to give him some space. There was a lot they needed to talk about and if he wanted time to prepare himself for that, she would willingly cooperate.