After finishing the report, Huo Tingyan was filled with shock and fury.

Bang! An icy aura radiated from the man as he slammed the documents down on the table with force.

So this little girl had endured so much suffering without his knowledge!

The thought sent a sharp pang through Huo Tingyan's chest.

He deeply regretted not finding her sooner, leaving her helpless and vulnerable, enduring mistreatment in places unknown to him.

He had even tried to send her away initially…

For the first time, Huo Tingyan tasted the bitterness of remorse, but it was overshadowed by a blazing anger towards the deputy director.

How dare she treat the little girl like that!

Frost instantly covered Huo Tingyan's handsome face, his eyes churning with intense fury.

Assistant Chen silently lowered his head, offering a brief, internal moment of silence for the deputy director.

"Acquire that welfare institute. Sue Zhu Qiulan on charges of child abuse." Huo Tingyan's voice was laced with towering rage. "I want her to spend the rest of her life behind bars!"

"Yes, Third Young Master!" Assistant Chen immediately agreed and turned to carry out the order. However, just as he reached the door, Huo Tingyan's voice stopped him.

"Wait." Huo Tingyan produced a small, transparent bag containing three strands of black hair.

"Third Young Master, this is...?" Assistant Chen carefully took the bag, a look of confusion on his face.

"Take these hairs to the hospital for a paternity test." Huo Tingyan pressed his lips together slightly.

The little girl was five years old now… precisely matching the timing of that night six years ago…

A sudden, staggering conjecture surfaced in the man's mind, sending shockwaves through him. A tempest raged within his heart.

"Yes, Sir." Assistant Chen departed swiftly, closing the door softly behind him.

Huo Tingyan rose and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing out at the ink-black night beyond, his gaze gradually deepening.

The man remained immersed in his turbulent thoughts, his agitated emotions unable to settle for a long time.   

Just then, a soft creak sounded as the heavy wooden study door was cautiously pushed open a crack.

"Daddy, I'm all clean." Su Luo carefully peeked her little head through the gap.

Hearing the little girl's soft voice, Huo Tingyan snapped back to the present instantly.

"Daddy, Butler Grandpa told me to call you for dinner." Su Luo scampered inside, her little feet making a pitter-patter sound.

Fresh from her bath, the little girl's cheeks were flushed pink from the steam, like a freshly steamed bun.

Huo Tingyan glanced down at the tiny figure who barely reached his waist. Recalling the report he had just read, a piece of his heart unexpectedly softened.

"Come here." He beckoned to the little girl, his expression carrying a gentleness he himself was unaware of.

"Daddy?" Su Luo tilted her small head, looking slightly puzzled. She felt like Daddy seemed… different somehow.

Huo Tingyan bent down slightly and scooped the little girl up into his arms. A strange emotion suddenly flooded his heart.

Before the man could figure out where this feeling came from, a distinct, loud sound interrupted his thoughts.

Grrrrroooowl… Someone's stomach loudly protested its emptiness.

Huo Tingyan raised an eyebrow, looking down at the little girl nestled in his arms, a trace of amusement seeming to touch his lips. "Hungry?"

Su Luo flushed crimson, trying to cover her stomach with her small hands, but the rumbling continued unabated.

"Mmm…" the little girl answered weakly, her head drooping almost to her chest.

Wahhh, how embarrassing!

A faint glimmer of laughter appeared in Huo Tingyan's eyes.

Knowing the little girl was easily embarrassed, he refrained from teasing her further. Instead, he simply stood up, holding her, and walked out.

"Let's go. Time to eat."