Chapter 263

Evelyn adjusted Sophia in her arms and turned to Gabrielle. "Get the ziplock bag from my purse. There's a sample inside for testing."

She had previously asked Zachary to collect a hair sample from Eleanor.

Gabrielle nodded. "Right away, Evelyn."

Moments later, Gabrielle descended the stairs holding two sealed bags. She took the sample from Zachary and said, "The results will be ready tomorrow morning."

"Mm." Evelyn carried Sophia toward the living room.

Zachary leaned in to play with the little girl. The moment Sophia spotted him, she squeezed her eyes shut, pretending to sleep.

"Boss, Sophia's rejecting me," Zachary whined, his voice dripping with exaggerated hurt.

Evelyn shot him a glance. "Maybe you're just not handsome enough."

Zachary clutched his chest dramatically. "That cuts deep, Boss."

Sophia suddenly peeked open one eye, lazily scanned Zachary, then closed it again with a dismissive air.

"She's adorable!" Zachary's eyes sparkled. "Boss, I want a daughter just like her someday."

Evelyn smirked. "Even if you have one, she won't be as pretty as my Sophia."

Zachary gasped, pressing a hand to his heart. "Boss, you're breaking me."

"Feel like running thirty kilometers?" Evelyn arched a brow.

Zachary spun on his heel and bolted, vanishing through the front door in seconds.

Victoria emerged from the kitchen, phone in hand. "Evelyn, the Valentines' stocks are dropping because of today's scandal."

Evelyn pulled up the news.

The trending headlines blared:

#Valentine Heiress Drugged Tycoon's Son in Seduction Plot#

#Valentine Pharmaceuticals Violated Production Regulations#

Evelyn frowned. The reporters had been arranged by Isabella—how had this backfired?

"Find out who leaked this," she ordered.

Victoria grinned eagerly. "On it!"

Evelyn shook her head in exasperation. Some people just couldn't leave well enough alone.

Sophia stirred against her back, tiny fingers clutching her shirt. The warmth of that trust made Evelyn's heart soften.

Her grandfather had raised her as the heir from childhood. Though the training had been grueling, he'd surrounded her with brilliant orphans who became her lifelong companions. She had never known loneliness.