Tristan explained with clear impatience, "Laurel switched out Alfie's DNA a long time ago. She used Felix's sample instead." "So that's what happened." ... Meanwhile, in the side hall. Marlon sat in his chair, staring at his silent son. He let out a long, heavy sigh. "Norman," he called softly. Norman's emotions snapped apart the moment he heard his father's voice. He shut his eyes, and they turned red. "Dad." "You still don't see what you've done wrong?" Marlon asked, his tone heavy with disappointment. "I..." Norman's voice caught. Was he really wrong? "Why do you think our family ended up like this?" Marlon asked again, calmer now."If you had treated Diane well, if you hadn't brought a woman like Laurel into this house, our family wouldn't be such a mess today. And if you hadn't been jealous of Thora and fought her for the Alpha position, none of this would have happened." In the past, if his father scolded him, Norman would have instantly felt blamed and unfairly treated. But this time, all he could hear was disappointment. Deep, tired disappointment. And that made him think about his father's words more seriously than ever. "But I'm your real son. I'm the first in line to inherit Silverleaf Pack," Norman finally said, his voice rough. "When you handed the title to Thora, did you ever think about me? After she was born, you spoiled her, protected her, and followed her wishes. But with me, you only scolded. You told me I wasn't good enough every single day. Even when you were sick in bed, the first thing you asked was always about Thora, not me."He let out a bitter laugh. "Sometimes I wondered if you even saw me as your son or if I was ever yours to begin with." After more than ten years, Norman finally spit out the truth he had buried in his heart. Marlon looked at him and laughed coldly. "Even if I handed you the Alpha title, could you do what Thora did?" Marlon asked. "Could you rise to the rank of major general without using the family connection? Do you have that ability?" The words hit Norman like a slap. He froze. Speechless. Norman had wanted the Alpha seat so he could use the family influence to climb higher in the military. But Thora, in just two years, without using the family power, earned the rank of major general on her own. He couldn't deny her achievements. "Is it really that hard to admit your daughter is better than you?" Marlon sighed.Norman froze. It took him a long time before he finally whispered, "Dad, I..." "You're right about one thing. I made mistakes too." Marlon's voice softened with regret. "Norman, I thought that once you grew up, I wouldn't need to guide you anymore. You became a husband and a father. I believed you understood what responsibility meant. But I didn't expect... " He didn't finish, yet the unspoken words made Norman's eyes turn red. "Thora is an outstanding soldier," Marlon continued slowly. "She has principles. She has limits. She's honest, loyal, and believes in what's right. Tell me, what part of her is not stronger than you? Should I hand the pack and the family legacy to you just to watch them fall apart? "You say she's ungrateful. But if she really was, would you even be alive after everything you've done? The reason you two ended up like enemies is because you forced it. You listened to the wrong people and broke your child's heart."Norman stayed silent for a long time. "I won't say more," Marlon said. "Things have come this far. You need to figure out what you're going to do from here." Seeing his son torn and hurting, a hint of softness rose in Marlon's cloudy eyes. At last, he said, "Norman, I'm sorry. I wasn't a good father. I didn't set the right example for you." Marlon was an Alpha and a decorated general who had spent his life commanding battlefields and almost never admitted his defeat. He had always been strict with Norman. This apology hit Norman like a storm. The strong, prideful man broke down on the spot. Tears poured out without restraint as he dropped to the ground and clung to Marlon's leg. "Dad, it was my fault. Don't say that. I'm wrong." It was the first time since becoming an adult that Norman cried so openly. In that moment, he finally understood that everything he had stubbornly held onto had been wrong from the very beginning. People are strange. A small knot in the heart can form without warning, grow quietly over time, and eventually twist a whole life out of shape. But sometimes, all it takes is one moment for that knot to loosen. For Norman, his father's apology, recognition, and comfort were that moment. He wasn't suddenly perfect or filled with deep regret, but the prejudice he held against Thora faded. And the obsession he had with the Alpha position loosened at last.