The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet (Thalassa and Elowen) novel Chapter 1386

Joshua peered into Thalassa's eyes, those steely pools of determination, and saw not the excitement of discovering her father but a subdued torrent of sorrow.

His lips curled into a wry smile, his interest piqued. "Everyone else goes to great lengths to claim me as their father, yet you seem reluctant. Are you agreeing to this paternity test just to ask a favor of me?"

It was a rarity indeed. Someone was actually indifferent to the prospect of being the daughter of Joshua, a titan of international business?

This was a stark contrast to Isabella, who had eagerly sought the title, even willing to slander her mother with infidelity to win his paternal recognition.

Suppressing her inherent dread of the word 'father', Thalassa's voice wavered with emotion as she addressed Joshua, "That's right. If you don’t agree to my terms, then there's no point in taking the test. It's not necessary."

Joshua's mouth twitched into a half-smile. "Well, let's hear it then. What's your demand?"

"If the test proves I'm your daughter, I don't expect any compensation for the years you've missed. I only want you to persuade Zephyr to let me take care of Lysander," Thalassa said, her voice steady but her breathing uneven as she locked eyes with Joshua.

In other words, aside from caring for Lysander, she wanted nothing else.

Joshua scrutinized Thalassa, a flicker of surprise in his gaze.

Thalassa was only asking for a favor, nothing more—no money, no power, no extravagant demands for property, vehicles, or unreachable connections.