Chapter 128 You've Worked Hard

Chapter 128 You've Worked Hard

William, however, didn't think much of it. He walked over and took her hand directly. "You did great."

Ruth's lips twitched—she wanted to smile but didn't have the energy. "The baby…"

A nurse walking in just then overheard and brought the tiny bundle to Ruth's bedside.

Ruth turned her head and saw a wrinkled, rosy little face. Though it looked a bit funny now, she figured once the baby filled out, she'd be beautiful.

That same afternoon, Michael rushed over from Los Angeles.

He swept into the estate still travel-worn, not even bothering to take off his coat, and went straight to see Ruth.

After chatting with her for a while, he went to see the baby.

He held the child for a long time, then said with reddened eyes, "This baby looks just like Ruth did when she was little. Absolutely identical."

Ruth leaned against the headboard, watching her adoptive father's mixture of helplessness and pure joy, and found herself smiling through tears.

William stood to the side, observing the scene, and said softly, "I've given her a nickname—Nina."

Michael looked up. "Nina?"

William's gaze settled on Ruth's face. He said gently, "After waiting so long, we're finally almost there."

When Ruth heard what William said, she naturally understood what he meant.

After all this time together, if she claimed she had no feelings for this man, that would be a lie.

They had all the time in the world.

Soon it was Nina's one-month celebration. The estate hosted a small gathering.

Not many people came—only those Ruth trusted most.

William didn't invite anyone from the business world either. He knew Ruth disliked those kinds of occasions, so he simply had the estate's chef prepare regular dishes.

A few long tables were set up in the garden. Yang Yang ran back and forth carrying fruit, while Michael held Nina in his arms.

Ruth watched the scene, feeling as if she'd been dreaming for a very long time.

She turned to look at William in the distance, talking with Edith, her gaze lingering on him for a moment.

Just a few days ago, one evening, William had sought her out alone.

The sunset had been beautiful that day.

William stood by the hydrangea bushes in the garden, holding a leaf between his fingers, unusually awkward.

"Ruth, there's something I've kept hidden for many years." He didn't beat around the bush. "Ever since you were still with the Becker family, you've been the only one in my heart. Later, when you married Shawn, I thought I'd be able to let go. But I couldn't."

Ruth had stared at him then, not interrupting.

"I know you need time." William lowered his eyes, almost smiling. "I can wait. I've already waited so many years anyway. I just need you not to push me away."

After he finished speaking, the garden had fallen silent for a long time.

Ruth watched the sunset rest on his shoulders, thinking back over all their time together recently, feeling something stir in her heart.

She couldn't say when exactly it had started, but her reliance on this man had already exceeded what could be called gratitude.

Perhaps it was when he'd stood behind her time and again without asking why…

Or perhaps it was when he'd driven through the night to pick her up, remembering the things she liked to eat.

She didn't want to lie to herself anymore.

"William," she said. "I can't say I'm completely over the past right now, but I want to try."

William looked up, his eyes bright.

Before he could speak, Ruth added, "Thank you for being willing to wait for me."

William stepped forward, unable to suppress the smile spreading across his face, and pulled her into his arms.

"You don't need to thank me, Ruth."

It was their first real embrace since they'd been reunited.

On the afternoon of the one-month celebration, Michael pulled a thick folder from his briefcase and solemnly handed it to Ruth.

"Ruth, these are your identity documents. Tomorrow I'll formally announce to the media and business community that you're the legal heir to the Tobias Consortium."

Ruth took the folder, lowering her eyes as intense emotions churned within them.

Michael looked at her gently. "This time, you're not allowed to refuse."

Ruth understood Michael's intentions and didn't refuse. She agreed.

The next day.

The news was everywhere.

#Tobias Consortium Heir Ruth Returns. Former Mrs. Grey Is Actually Becker Family Heiress#

Ruth's photo appeared on major financial and fashion pages.

[Who would've thought this socialite was actually a consortium heir!]

[I know, right! Mrs. Grey's adoptive father is that powerful? Mind-blowing!]

[Shawn must be kicking himself right about now!]

[But I'm dying to know—have they gotten divorced yet?]

…

Ruth was scrolling through her phone at the estate when she saw these comments.

As for the divorce, she was pretty sure they were already divorced—after all, he'd signed the divorce papers back then.

Legally speaking, they were no longer husband and wife.

The moment Phil and Louisa saw the news, their eyes filled with disbelief.

After considerable effort, they finally managed to find out where Ruth was living.

But the security guards at the gate stopped them cold.

William happened to be returning home just then. When he saw the two of them, he rolled down his window and looked at them coldly.

"Can I help you?"

When Louisa saw it was him, her tone softened immediately. "Mr. Scott, we'd like to see Ruth… She's our daughter, we—"

"The adoption was legally dissolved."

William's tone was cold. "Besides, as I understand it, when you acknowledged her, it was only so she could fulfill Vivian's marriage contract. Now that you know she's the Becker family heiress… you're here fawning over her. Don't you find that pathetic?"

Phil tried to say something more, but William didn't give him the chance.

"If they come here to harass anyone again, file a police report for harassment."

The guards at the gate nodded without hesitation upon hearing this.

Though the couple wanted to protest, remembering what William had just said—and knowing he was a man who followed through on his words—they didn't dare make a move.

That afternoon, the Howard family's business began receiving contract cancellation notices from several partners in succession.

When Phil and Louisa learned of this, they immediately had someone investigate, only to discover William had been pulling strings behind the scenes.

Now, even if they had complaints, there was nothing they could do about William.

For a moment, they deeply regretted how they'd treated Ruth.