"Thank you, Ingrid…" he said his voice was hoa.r.s.e.

"No problem, I'll leave you then…" Lance wanted so hard to embrace Ingrid but he still restrained himself knowing that she is a type of a woman that is not easily touched with some corny words or declaration of undying love.

Ingrid's heart was sealed and it takes a lot of effort and determination before someone could break in and earn first her trust. He knew how fragile she is beneath her strong façade. He knew he needed a man that is worthy of her trust, especially her heart.

Because of that, he was inspired even more to prove himself to her and all the more to her child. He was saddened when he learned that the child is considering Clifford Briggs to be his father. He was even more discouraged when he became aware of the resemblance of the two. But he rejected the possibility of it and waited for the investigator to report to him about Ingrid and Clark.

Lance saw a cotton s.h.i.+rt and gray pants that seems comfortable to wear, he even saw underwears for kids, for women and for men, even boxer shorts, he shake his head with unbelief of how Ingrid lived a careful and well-laid life.

A moment later, the door opened, a househelp informed him that the room is ready and that she will be the one to escort him to the room.

"Thank you. I'm done here. Let's go.."

…

Before Clint called, Helen and Clint talked about the Howards.

"You know what, Clint, I like Ingrid, she's such a filial daughter, her in-laws are so lucky to have her."

"In-laws? She isn't married yet." Clint was happy to announce.

"Truly? My… that's great news! I want her to be my daughter-in-law!"

"Hahaha that would not be easy, darling." The old man heaved a sigh.

"What do you mean?" his wife is puzzled.

"She has no plans of getting married, instead she only wants a child on her own, and in fact, she has already a child."

"What??! She don't want to experience the bliss of marriage? Ha! I have to really exert an effort for my future daughter-in-law. But what did you say, she has a son? Who is the father?" Clint laughed at her wife's remarks.

"No one knows only her and some trusted friend. She seldom brings the child to the office so I don't have a clearer sight of him."

"I want to see her again and observed her and look at the child too. I feel like spying for my future daughter-in-law." She stated with full strength of mind.

"How about Cliff? How will he react if he knows about your plan? You know how aloof he is and how stubborn he is."

"HA! That's why he needs Ingrid, for him to have a better check on himself. Have you observed how he behaved on the welcome party towards Ingrid? I've never, ever saw him behaved like that with a woman. So, let's invite them over for dinner, I bet John and Rose would love to have dinner with us. Come on! Call them."

Clint was persuaded by his wife to call the couple. So he dialed Gary's number to set an appointment with the Howards for a dinner.

"Sorry, Mr. Briggs, but they have already checked out earlier... as what I've heard, they are now with Ma'am Ingrid's house."

….

Twenty minutes later…

A black Mercedes Benz arrived. Ingrid was already outside the door wearing her comfortable sleeveless floral dress, the couple, Clint and Helen was the first ones to emerge from the car. She then hurriedly went to them and greeted them with a kiss.

"Glad you came, Mr. Clint, Mrs. Helen…"

"I think you can call me Aunt Helen, dear, I prefer we call on name than being so formal and business like, would you agree Clint?" she then squeezed her husband's hand indicating something.

"Indeed, call me Uncle Clint, since your father and I are close, we are like family…" he then winked his eye to his wife. She interpreted the action as their sign of intimacy rather than of something else. She smiled upon witnessing their sweetness.

"Let's go directly to the garden, I've decided to serve the dinner there before you have called, sir, err I mean, uncle Clint."

"That would be lovely, dear.." when they were about to walk through a pathway that leads to the garden, she heard a voice coming from a man.

"Am I not welcome here?"