The annual Hargrove Summer Gala was in full swing around the illuminated infinity pool. Wealthy investors, socialites, and celebrities sipped vintage champagne under draped silk lights. Rosa moved quickly between tables, clearing empty glasses, her body exhausted, her spirit tired. She kept her eyes low, conscious of Vivian's razor-sharp glare from across the deck.

The garden erupted into hushed whispers. Vivian’s face shifted from panic to sheer desperation.

"This is ridiculous!" Vivian shrieked, grabbing Ethan's soaked arm. "She's a liar, Ethan! She's a gold-digger who set you up! She probably trained that little brat to say those words to ruin our engagement party! I want them off this property right now!"

Ethan slowly stood up, brushing Vivian's hand off him as if she were poison.

"Call off the party," Ethan ordered his head of security in a voice as hard as ice. "Everyone leaves. Now."

Within fifteen minutes, the lavish garden was completely deserted. Only Ethan, Rosa, Lily, Vivian, and Ethan's personal attorney remained in the massive living room under the golden chandeliers.

Vivian crossed her arms, pacing back and forth on the marble floor. "Ethan, be reasonable! A paternity test will prove she's lying. You're letting a live-in servant manipulate you!"

"I don't need a paternity test to recognize my own eyes on that little girl's face," Ethan said softly, his eyes fixed on Lily, who was wrapped in a warm blanket on the sofa. "But we're going to take one anyway. Tonight."

"Ethan, darling—"

"Why did you leave, Rosa?" Ethan interrupted, turning to the woman who had been sweeping his floors for two years while carrying his daughter. "Why did you disappear from Atlanta without saying a word? I nearly lost my mind looking for you!"

Rosa looked down at her hands, her voice trembling. "I didn't leave because I wanted to, Ethan. I was forced to."

Ethan froze. "What do you mean forced?"

"Four years ago, right after you passed your final investors' pitch," Rosa whispered, tears spilling onto her lap. "A woman came to my apartment. She showed me pictures of your investors. She said if I stayed with you, a broke girl with no family background, your backers would pull out. She offered me fifty thousand dollars to leave. When I refused, she threatened to have my nursing license revoked and ensure my family in Texas lost their land."

Ethan felt a chill run down his spine. "Who came to you, Rosa?"