"It is true." She said almost whispering.

"It's true that? Please be clear..." Clifford urged her to speak plainly.

"It's true that I conceived Clark through an IVF and I don't want to know who the father is. Gos.h.!.+ I never antic.i.p.ated this." She wanted to whine and scream at the same time.

Clifford was stunned. His hunch grew even more than ever.

"Ingrid, there is a possibility that I am this child's father." He stated like it's already a fact.

It was Ingrid's turn to be stunned. Her heart slowly building a loud thump which make her face both hot and flushed. She gasped for air, her mind fuzzy because of so many questions. At last, she gathered a little strength to ask him.

"How would I know? Dr. Sam and I agreed that our contract should be highly confidential and that I could sue her if this leaks." She wondered then why Clifford thought that Clark is his son. "Why do you think that he is your child? Except if you did some donation there, or–" she stopped in the middle of what she is about to say and she covered her mouth, "did you – OH MY G.o.d. Don't tell me – oh my G.o.d!"

She stood up unexpectedly her eyes are so wide, then she ma.s.sages her forehead, as she feels so hot and used her hand to fan her face while she walk back and forth.

Ingrid was so bothered because she bit by bit remembered what she has required of Dr. Sam to find to be Clark's father.

Clifford touched his chin, thinking. He is contemplating what to ask or say to her.

"Fortunately, I did it, five or six years ago at Dr. Samantha Miers fertility and I even met her again here in Maldives while I was waiting for the Jeffries to arrive and she sent me a letter which unfortunately I haven't received." Clifford smirk, the growing warmth he felt for this woman is becoming even more intense.

"Oh G.o.d, no it can't be..."

They were interrupted when Clark called his mom to ask regarding his book.

Clifford used the opportunity to call Gary and to make some arrangement for their arrival. They need some diversion.

"Gary, tell my father to do some publicity stunt. Either he bluffs about this issue or whatever as long as these reporters will leave the airport. I don't want to arrive there hiding from them as if we are fugitives. Tighten the security when we arrive, no one should go near us. Also, hasten our flight for an hour."

"He's already planned about everything, sir. Master Clint is just at your disposal." Gary smirked on the other line.

Clifford is surprised. "...He already antic.i.p.ated this?"

"Yes, sir, since then suppose to be press conference after their talk with Mr. Howard was postponed, he thought that this could be the other way. Knowing Master Clint, he is always prepared for anything. As he said that he is more than willing to indulge in your request, just give him the cue."

"How's Mr. Howard? What's his say on this?" Clifford never felt this kind of nervousness in his entire life.

"That I do not know for now, young master. But he will be back here and talk with you and Ingrid as well. As for the reason, it is highly confidential." Gary looked around and he whispered. "All I know is that Master Clint and Mr. Howard talked hours privately and your father never mentioned what they have discussed to anyone, may be except for your mother."

'Gary could be a talebearer at times.' He thought.

"And young master, I find out something really important, even your father did not know about this yet–oh, sorry I will talk about it when you're here, Master Clint has arrived." It was Gary who hanged up the phone which makes Clifford bewildered.

"Who was it?" Ingrid inquired, she seems suspicious.