Chapter 111: Shadows of the Past

Elizabeth's situation was definitely worth investigating.

While Kate didn't care about who her biological father might be, she needed to know what had actually happened to her mother all those years ago.

Given Elizabeth's character and determination, she wouldn't have separated from Kate's real father while pregnant unless she had absolutely no choice.

Understanding this history would also help Kate prepare for any potential media storm—if Sophia had this information as leverage, she would eventually use it against Kate.

Kate refused to let Sophia hold this over her. She needed to protect not only herself but also her mother's memory.

"I'll look into it then. And also..."

Kate paused thoughtfully. Ethan leaned in and placed a quick kiss on her lips.

"And also what? That you'll love me more?" he teased, then immediately backtracked. "No, that's not right. Loving me shouldn't be an afterthought."

His playful banter lightened Kate's mood considerably, though some concerns still weighed on her mind.

"I was going to say we should visit the hospital for a check-up. I think I might need some psychological support."

Her emotional outbursts lately weren't a good sign.

Ethan paused, surprised by her insight into his thoughts.

He had the strange feeling that Kate could somehow sense his thoughts, but her expression remained natural, making him doubt his suspicion.

"Let's go to the hospital now, then," he suggested.

Kate was about to agree when Ethan's phone rang. She gestured for him to answer it. Glancing at the screen, he sighed.

"It's my mother."

He put the call on speakerphone.

"Mom."

"There you are, you rascal! Is Kate with you?" Penelope's voice came through, with what sounded like card games in the background. Ethan winced slightly—his mother could be quite scatterbrained at times.

"Mrs. Levington, I'm here," Kate answered.

Penelope said softly, "Kate, darling! I'm so glad you're there."

Ethan rolled his eyes at the obvious favoritism.

"I'm here, Mrs. Levington. Is something the matter?"

"Nothing serious, dear. I just wanted to let you know that Ethan's father will be returning tonight. I'll be coming home for dinner as well."

What? So suddenly!

Kate tensed involuntarily. She'd barely exchanged a handful of words with Benjamin throughout her life, even as a child. Given their distant relationship and how she had hurt Ethan in the past, his father's return likely didn't bode well.

"Kate, don't worry. I'll be there too," Penelope assured her, interrupting Kate's troubled thoughts. But Kate couldn't help worrying. She was about to say something when Ethan spoke first.

"Mom, why is Dad coming back so suddenly?"

Ethan frowned. Unlike Kate's anxiety, he was more puzzled. His father rarely came home willingly. Was he actually coming to meet Kate? That seemed highly unlikely.

When Penelope had returned, Benjamin hadn't bothered to come back, clearly indicating his disapproval or disinterest in the matter.

He sensed there had to be another reason.

"Oh! I almost forgot to tell you. Your father is coming back specifically to meet someone—Clarence Fisher has returned to the country."

"Clarence?" Ethan's brow furrowed deeper.

"Yes, remember? Your father and Rocco Fisher are close friends. Clarence is Rocco's younger brother."

Ethan did remember Rocco, but as far as he knew, Rocco didn't have a brother.

Unless...

"Though his brother is illegitimate, so try not to bring that up," Penelope added.

Ethan wasn't surprised—his mother always had an uncanny ability to anticipate what he was thinking.

"Are we having dinner together tonight?" he asked.

"Yes," Penelope confirmed. "Your father will go straight to Rocco's place after landing. You should bring Kate along—having more people there will make it harder for your father to say anything unpleasant."

Ethan glanced at Kate, who nodded her agreement, so he accepted the invitation and ended the call.

"Looks like we won't be making it to the hospital today," he observed.

"It's fine. We can go another time," Kate said, unconcerned. "We should head back and change first."

Meeting family elders called for more formal attire.

They returned to the mansion and got ready. By the time they arrived at the Fisher residence, Penelope was already standing at the entrance, looking around expectantly.

"Kate! I've missed you so much!" she exclaimed as soon as they stepped out of the car, rushing forward to embrace her. Ethan promptly pulled Kate back toward himself.

"You didn't mention missing Kate while you were playing bridge," he remarked dryly.

This little troublemaker! She was giving him space, and here he was, exposing her!

Penelope swatted his arm with surprising force. "You ungrateful boy."

Ethan thought to himself, 'Only my mom would hit me that hard!'

"Come on, Kate, let's go inside," Penelope said, linking arms with Kate and shooting Ethan a glare. Kate couldn't help smiling, her nervousness diminishing slightly.

"Of course, Mrs. Levington."

She walked with Penelope while Ethan followed behind, resigned. Upon entering the living room, they saw two men seated on the sofa.

One wore a navy blue suit with impeccably styled hair—this was undoubtedly Rocco. Beside him sat a man in a smoke-gray casual suit with a cold, imposing presence. His features resembled Rocco's but appeared more intense and profound. This must be Clarence.

He looked relatively young, perhaps only in his late thirties or early forties.

"Ethan's here," Rocco said, rising first to greet them. He patted Ethan's shoulder and turned his kindly gaze toward Kate.

"And this must be Kate? I've heard so much about you from Penelope. You're even more beautiful than she described."

Kate politely inclined her head. "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Fisher."

At this point, Clarence also stood up. He exchanged greetings with Ethan, but when he turned to Kate, he suddenly froze.

After a moment of silence, Rocco prompted, "Clarence, is something wrong?"

"Nothing," he finally replied, his gaze still fixed on Kate.

Just then, Benjamin came downstairs, and everyone naturally took their seats. Clarence, however, continued staring at Kate, making her uncomfortable.

While everyone else engaged in conversation, Benjamin hadn't looked at Kate once since his arrival. Kate wisely kept quiet, sensing the atmosphere.

She discreetly glanced at Clarence, only to find him still watching her intently. Their eyes met briefly, and Kate offered a polite smile and nod, but Clarence showed no reaction.

There was something distinctly odd about his behavior.

Instinctively, she tightened her grip on Ethan's hand.

Ethan immediately turned to her and asked quietly, "What's wrong?"

He had been engaged in conversation with Rocco and hadn't noticed anything else. Kate, deciding she was probably overthinking, whispered back, "Nothing."

She subtly shifted her position to face away from Clarence, but she could still feel his burning gaze on her.

At this moment, Rocco suggested with a smile, "It's getting late. Shall we move to the dining room? The food should be ready by now."

Only then did Clarence avert his gaze, but throughout dinner, his occasional intense scrutiny left Kate completely bewildered.

Did she know Clarence from somewhere?

She didn't think so. Why, then, was he watching her so closely?