Love at First Night: The Billionaire's First Love-Chapter 58: Specialized School?

>Mallory

DNA?

The word stared back at me in bold red letters, printed neatly on the front of a white folder. My fingers froze mid-movement as I read it again, slower this time, as if the letters might change if I blinked.

DNA.

My eyes shifted to the brown envelope beside me where it had slipped. The name written on that envelope was my son’s.

A slow, cold doubt crept into my chest.

Why is this inside my son’s envelope?

I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry. My legs began to shake lightly as I sat there, the movement barely noticeable but impossible for me to stop. Curiosity pressed against my chest, tight and heavy, while anxiety wrapped around it like a vice.

I shouldn’t open it.

But my fingers had already tightened around the folder. My heels tapping anxiously at the floor.

"Sister-in-law?"

I flinched at the voice.

My head snapped up, and I met Vale’s gaze. He was standing in front of me, tall and calm as ever, but his eyes darkened for a split second when he noticed the envelope in my hands. The change was so fast that I almost doubted myself.

Did I imagine that?

"Oh?" He tilted his head slightly, surprise flashing across his face before it softened into a gentle smile. He stretched his hand out toward me. "Is it there? I’ve been searching everywhere for that file."

I looked down at the white folder again.

Is he talking about this?

My lips parted. I wanted to ask him why it was with my son’s documents. I wanted to ask what DNA had to do with anything. The questions were right there, sitting on the tip of my tongue.

But Vale spoke again before I could get a word out.

"I’m sorry," he said calmly. "Could you hand it to me? It’s a confidential client record."

"Oh..." I murmured.

My grip loosened slightly as I hesitated. "I’m sorry. It was tucked inside my son’s files, so..." I trailed off, handing the folder to him slowly, as if giving it up meant letting go of something important.

He took it from me with an easy motion.

"So that’s where I placed it?" He let out a relieved sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. "I thought I completely lost this."

His shoulders relaxed, and he looked genuinely thankful.

"It would’ve been a big problem if someone else saw it," he continued. "I need it for my next client."

I forced a smile. "I’m glad I could help." letting out a small sigh.

Why am I even doubting him? He goes out of his way to treat my son, I should be thankful instead.

I’ve met enough people in my life to know when someone is lying. I’ve dealt with fake smiles, false kindness, and hidden motives more times than I can count. And yet, standing here now, Vale didn’t feel like any of those people.

He felt honest.

The guilt settled deep in my stomach, it was heavy and uncomfortable.

"I’m sorry for touching it," I said quietly.

Vale sat down beside me, placing his bag on his lap. He opened it and slid the white envelope inside, making sure it was secure before closing the zipper.

"You don’t need to apologize," he said. "It was my fault for bringing confidential files and letting you look through the bag."

He paused, then smiled again, softer this time. "Besides, you helped me a lot by finding it."

I nodded, my hands folding together in my lap.

I was about to respond when the sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway.

We both turned toward the noise.

I almost gaped.

Venz was walking toward us, dressed in a black suit with a fitted waistcoat underneath. His hair was brushed back neatly, exposing his sharp features. Every step he took made him look elegant.

He looked... really good.

Not that he didn’t always look good. Even in casual clothes, his build made everything sit perfectly on him plus not to mention with his face. But there was something about a man in a suit especially when it’s him.

Something dangerous and unfair.

Men in suits were my weakness. Always had been, I internally nodded.

They sat right at the top of my list.

"Are you still not done with your business here?" Venz asked, stopping in front of us.

"Yeah," Vale replied easily. "I still have things to discuss regarding my nephew’s treatment."

"Okay." Venz nodded once. "I’ll go ahead then."

He turned toward the door. That’s when I noticed it.

His tie was crooked. Just slightly.

It must’ve been because he was in such a hurry.

But it bothered me more than it should have.

"Wait. Come back here."

The words left my mouth before I could stop them.

Both men turned to look at me. I sighed, already regretting it, and stood up. My legs carried me forward before my brain could catch up.

"Lean down a little," I said when I stood in front of him.

"Okay." He bent forward obediently.

I almost bit my tongue.

This was exactly why I shouldn’t get close to him. His face always ruined my ability to think properly. All logic shut down the moment he looked at me like that.

His expression was confused, but his eyes were focused on me, I felt like I might melt.

Argh. Just get this over with.

He wasn’t leaning low enough for my height, I groaned.

Without thinking, I grabbed his tie and pulled him down just enough for me to reach. My fingers worked quickly, straightening the fabric, smoothing it into place.

My heart was pounding so loudly I was sure everyone could hear it.

"There," I said, tapping his shoulder lightly. "I fixed it. You can go now. Take care."

I turned around immediately and went back to my seat, pretending like nothing happened.

"Alright," Venz said behind me, his voice lighter. "I’ll see you when I get back."

I risked a glance at him.He was smiling.

My heart nearly bursted out of my chest.

I kept my face neutral, forcing myself to breathe normally. But inside, everything about me was mess.

Why is my heart reacting like this?

This is bad.

I feel restless every time he’s near me. I swear, I should get checked by a doctor at this point.

Vale and I watched as Venz left, the front door closing behind him with a soft thud.

"All right," Vale said once the room was quiet again. "Now that he’s gone, let’s get down to business."

The brown envelope with my son’s details rested in his hand now. His tone had changed completely. His voice calm and serious, his work voice.

My back straightened on instinct.

I’m nervous.

"Ah... yes," I replied. "What would you like to discuss?"

He opened the envelope and scanned the papers. "Based on his records, your son’s condition started when he was in the middle of kindergarten, correct?"

I swallowed, my fingers twisting together.

"Yes."

"That means he hasn’t finished kindergarten despite being six years old?"

I nodded slowly.

This is why I never reveal his age. People always look at me the same way after they find out. Like I failed him.

"T-that’s right."

Vale lifted his gaze. "Then he’ll fall behind when he returns to school. Your son understands things better than most children his age. He won’t fit in with students far below his level."

His words hit exactly where it hurt.

"I know that," I said quietly. "But—"

I didn’t get to finish.

"Then what about enrolling him in our specialized school?"

My breath caught between my lungs.I looked up at him, my heart racing.

"A specialized... school?"