They all heard the name but have not meet her in person as she was not fond of parties or socialization such as this.

"She is Ingrid Howard? My, what a beauty! What a shame I haven't introduced myself to her.." a young man commented. The group just laughed.

The Briggs accompanied the Howards till the door of the hall.

"Clint, just go back there are guests waiting for you, we'll just be back after our talk." John a.s.sured them.

"Just take your time; my son had already reserved the suite for your family."

"Thank you, Clint." Mrs. Howard said with gratefulness.

The Howards the head off to their suite, Ingrid was still quiet while on their way. She was overwhelmed with what is happening, and she could not comprehend if this is true or she is in a dream.

When they reached the suite, the attendants politely exited and went their way. The suite has three bedrooms, has wood-paneled library, full kitchen, dining room and a stunning floor-to-ceiling windows where you could view the innermost of the city.

The Howards silently thanked the Briggs for such a great act of kindness they have shown to them.

"Ingrid, we miss you so much..." Ingrid heard her mother sobbing the moment the door closed and she embraced her daughter tightly thinking that anytime she will run away again.

"Mom, I am a bad daughter, I am no longer worthy of your love." She almost choked saying it because she was holding her tears to have a clearer mind.

Her dad tapped her shoulders.

"Ingrid, dear, you know we could never do that, we could never stop loving you just because you run away from us. You are our only precious daughter and no one can deny that nor can anyone stop us."

"Oh dad, what did I do to have a precious dad and mom like you?"

"Hahaha you will know that if you have your own children."

When she heard her father said that she fall on her knees and cried.

"Dad, I have sinned." Her parents looked at each other bewildered.

"What do you mean? There's nothing to worry about, it's all in the past." Her mother said rea.s.suringly.

"I... I hhave a s-son.."

"What?!" both of them were caught in surprise.

...

When Clifford turned to the hall, he saw Lance McNaught also went to where the Howards head off. Instinctively, he followed the man.

"Excuse me, sir, is there anything that I could a.s.sist you of?" Clifford's voice was strong and compelling.

The man stopped on his tracks and faced Clifford.

"Ahh no, nothing, I was on my way to check Mr and Mrs. Howards and Ingrid as well. Is there something wrong?" Lance stared straight into Clifford's eyes as if probing him over something.

"I suppose that we give the family a s.p.a.ce so that they could talk and resolve whatever issue that has transpired in them years back. Will you give them that freedom, sir?" he smirked and glimmer of irritation flashed in his eyes.

Lance sensed that this man is self-a.s.sured and his words could not be altered. To him, his word is a law. He is used to having his way and that no one should disobey it.

Lance was observing him from a distance after he purposely b.u.mped Ingrid a while ago and he sensed that he has some kind of possessiveness atmosphere when it comes to Ingrid. He feels like that Clifford was hovering over her wherever she went, just like a lioness to her cub, that if anyone dared to hurt or annoy her, he will be in flash to her rescue.

Lance is now determined to investigate what kind of relations.h.i.+p Clifford and Ingrid has before he could carry out his plan. His curiosity intensified for the reason that as he looks at Ingrid closely, there were no trace of having an intimate relations.h.i.+p with Clifford, but he observed that it is instead the opposite on Ingrid's.

She seems to be aloof and distant towards Clifford, but he could not just trust his observation he need concrete evidence.