Henry had no choice but to get into the car.
After Ella started driving, she asked, "Last time, you asked if my parents gave a child away. That child isn't you, is it?"
Although the DNA results proved Henry wasn't her brother, her parents' strange expressions when she asked them made her suspect something was amiss. She wanted to get to the bottom of it.
Henry smiled, "Why are you so hung up on this?"
"Seriously," Ella retorted, "If someone told you your parents might have given your brother away, how would you react?"
At that moment, an ambulance sped past them, heading towards the hotel.
"Hey," Ella glanced at him, "I'm talking to you!"
Henry had decided not to reveal his identity so soon. Even if he did, it should be directly to his parents, not through his sister. Otherwise, it would catch his parents off guard and embarrass them.
Henry smiled, "A friend in prison told me about it. If you're really interested, I can visit the prison and ask around to see if I can find his contact."
Ella suddenly asked, "What's your friend's name?"
Henry was taken aback. Ella had asked this before, and he had answered without thinking. Now, he couldn't remember immediately. But then he recalled seeing a scar on Xavier's face the second time he encountered him and remembered.
"Ivan!"
Henry's delayed answer made Ella suspicious. She was sure Henry was the child her parents had given away. But the DNA results said otherwise. Why would her mother give away someone else's child?
With a screech, Ella slammed on the brakes.
Henry braced himself against the dashboard, noticing there were no crosswalks or pedestrians. Fortunately, there were no cars behind them, avoiding a rear-end collision.
"What's wrong?" Henry asked, puzzled.
"Nothing."
Ella continued driving and soon dropped Henry off at the bar without another word before driving off, leaving Henry confused.
Ella had used her father's hair for the DNA test. She suddenly wondered if the child might be her mother's illegitimate child. She decided to get a sample of her mother's hair for another test. This thought had caused her sudden braking.
After Ella left, Victoria emerged from the bar.
"Henry," Victoria said, "Ruby is already here. She just called me, and I was about to call you."
"Got it." Henry said and started to cross the street.
"Henry," Victoria called out again, "You should assess the situation and decide on your strategy. Normally, you have two options. Either make a decisive move tonight, which will make her put up a strong resistance, or take it slow, focusing on talking about life, dreams, or even TV dramas, without mentioning any romantic intentions."
Henry understood Victoria's advice and nodded, "Thanks, Victoria."
"And," Victoria added, "if things go well, invite her to your place, not a hotel. She's well-known in Harbor Springs and won't go to a hotel with you."
Henry snapped his fingers and headed towards the tea house.
Victoria returned to the bar to brief the hostesses and male escorts when Erick called her. She answered and gasped. Tristan had just called Erick, accusing him of setting him up against Henry. Henry had just crippled Ryan. Facing someone who dared to attack the police, what kind of person was that? Tristan demanded another million from Erick, who was going crazy. He called Victoria, suggesting they elope and leave Harbor Springs.
Victoria watched Henry and Ruby sitting by the window on the second floor of the tea house and thought: This guy is too bold, crippling Ryan and still going after his wife. Doesn't he know Ryan's father's background?
Victoria suddenly felt that Henry was not only ruthless but also very dangerous. But she also thought that maybe such a dangerous person was necessary to establish a foothold in Harbor Springs. Being with him, she wouldn't have to worry about being bullied.
She told Erick, "Forget it. I haven't even married Bryan yet! Once I become Cole's legitimate daughter-in-law, do you think I need to run away with you?"
Henry reached the second floor of the tea house and immediately saw Ruby sitting by the window, having already ordered a pot of fragrant tea.
"Sorry, I'm late," Henry said with a smile, sitting across from Ruby.
Ruby calmly placed a small teacup in front of Henry, filled it from the glass teapot over the alcohol burner, and asked, "Do you always keep women waiting?"
"Sis, to be honest, this is my first time asking a woman out, especially a beautiful one."
Henry hadn't planned to be so bold, but after Victoria's advice, he decided to take the direct approach. He extended his foot under the table, touching Ruby's calf, watching her reaction.
Ruby remained calm, as if nothing had happened, and asked, "Did you invite me for tea to discuss something?"
Wow! She didn't move her leg?
Victoria was right; even the most aloof women might have a wild side. What about Emily? Could she be the same?
Emily's image flashed briefly in Henry's mind. He almost held his breath, hoping to get Ruby to Victoria's place as quickly as possible.
"Sis, I'm not one for pretense. To be honest, the moment I saw you in the interrogation room, I was struck by your beauty. I couldn't believe Harbor Springs had such a beautiful woman."