But now, John was suddenly hit with the shocking news. Renee was still alive!! And not only that, she wanted shares of Gray Corporation! The shares Julie had given him, combined with his own, were no small amount. John stared blankly at Zac. In that instant, it was as if he no longer recognized the son he had cherished for eighteen years. He suddenly felt like a stranger. It was a long time before John finally found his voice, trembling as he asked, "Your mom is still alive?" John thought, Renee must not know either. She had to be a victim too! She was so kind and innocent. She couldn't have deceived him. No matter what, as long as she was alive, that was all that mattered! Raelynn had been standing silently by the side, watching them. She knew that the "mom" John spoke of now was not her. For ten years, Zac had called her "Mom." She had cherished him like a treasure, yet now, the woman he truly longed for wasn't her. She couldn't even put a name to what she was feeling. There was disappointment, sorrow, but more than anything, a seething fury at having poured her heart out for nothing! She had treated him like the most precious gem, even setting her own biological son aside to care for him. And in the end, he had another mom all along! Hearing the warmth and familiarity in his voice when he spoke about his birth mom, Raelynn felt both heartbroken and furious. But what enraged her even more was seeing John being cautious, hopeful, nervous, and afraid all at once. A woman's intuition is rarely wrong. The suspicion that had lingered in her heart for so long was true! John and Zac's relationship wasn't simple.To be precise, it was Zac's birth mom and John who had an unusual relationship! John was practically groveling, willingly raising another woman's child. Would he really go this far for just anyone, or was it for her? For once, Raelynn didn't explode in anger. Maybe years of restraint had become a habit, a skill she had mastered. She simply watched them in silence, waiting to see what they would say next. Zac knew he couldn't keep up the act anymore. So he stopped pretending altogether. The shares, and all the money he had been sending over the years, were enough. The innocent expression vanished from his face. Shedding the mask, he suddenly felt lighter. He looked at John mockingly. "That's right. You never expected this, did you? My mom isn't dead. She's alive and well." John stared at Zac in shock. His demeanor and tone were like he had become a completely different person! John found himself unable to understand him more and more. Yet, the hope in his eyes remained. Carefully, he asked, "Then, where is she?" As soon as the words left his mouth, he realized Raelynn was still in the room! John abruptly shut his mouth, as if trying to avoid something. He instinctively glanced at Raelynn, a complicated emotion flashing in his eyes. He had been too overwhelmed just now, and in the heat of the moment, he had... Raelynn saw his reaction and understood everything instantly. She took the initiative. "Go ahead and talk. I'll step out." Turning on her heel, she left the room. Julie and the others exchanged glances before following her out. Now, only John and Zac remained. John had seen the sorrow in Raelynn's eyes. Raelynn had always been foolish and patient, so he assumed she had simply gone outside to grieve, having just learned that Zac's birth mom was still alive.Once the door closed and the sound of footsteps faded down the hall, John could no longer hold back. Lowering his voice, he asked eagerly, "Zac, where is your mom? Is she okay?" His eyes shone with unhidden longing and deep yearning. All these years, he had believed she was gone. He had even erected a tombstone for her, often visiting it to pour out his grief. And now, to suddenly learn she was still alive, he was overjoyed no matter what had happened. As long as she was alive, that was all that mattered! Zac saw the desperation and concern in his eyes. Lowering his gaze, he seemed lost in thought. John, seeing his silence, grew anxious. "Zac, don't worry. This time, I will do right by both of you. I won't let you suffer again! Trust me." Zac suddenly let out a mocking laugh. "Not let us suffer?" "Dad, how exactly do you plan to do that? You have your own family. You have other children. How are you going to make sure we don't suffer?" John froze. For a moment, he was completely speechless. Zac continued his accusations. "Do you even know what she's been through all these years? When she was rescued, people recognized her! Since then, she's been living like a rat in the dark, hiding in the shadows, terrified that someone would expose her and spit on her name!"