Chapter 24
“Mrs. Johnson, you might want to reconsider the virtue in your words,” Gordon’s voice was as cold as ice.
At the same time, Desmond, who had remained silent since Daisy’s return, finally spoke, his tone just as chilling. “It’s true.”
He pulled out the authentication documents and other materials, his voice rough as he continued, “Aunt, Heather is your husband’s illegitimate daughter. Over twenty years ago, he had an affair. He married you for the Johnson family’s wealth.”
The smile that had briefly appeared on Heather’s face faltered and froze.
“Desmond, why are you…” She stammered, struggling to find her words. “Why are you and my sister both spreading lies?”
Desmond met her gaze, his eyes devoid of warmth. “Heather, I know everything you’ve done over the years.”
Struck by the icy edge in his eyes, Heather instinctively stepped back.
Meanwhile, Hannah, her hands trembling, flipped through the documents Desmond had presented. Inside them lay the paternity test results and the truth behind many past events. It was confirmed: Heather was indeed her husband’s illegitimate daughter.
The car accident five years ago hadn’t been an accident at all. It had been carefully orchestrated by her husband, intending to kill both Daisy and Hannah in a bid to inherit the family fortune. Her daughter had never been the problem; it was Heather, twisting the truth and framing Daisy at every turn. Yet, as a mother, she had always favored her adopted daughter over her own flesh and blood, never once trusting her own.
Hannah let out a sharp scream before collapsing onto the floor. Daisy rushed to support her, her voice low as she said, “Call an ambulance.”
After a flurry of chaos, Hannah was rushed to the emergency room. Daisy stood outside, rubbing her temple. Heather, who had followed her, glared at Daisy with venom in her eyes.
“Is this what you wanted?” Heather hissed. “You’ve hurt Mom this badly, and now you’re satisfied?”
Daisy almost laughed, the anger bubbling inside her. It was clear she was the victim, yet Heather was flipping the script and accusing her. “Instead of barking here, you might want to hire a better lawyer,” Daisy’s voice was as cold as ice. “After all, with charges of embezzlement, money laundering, and murder hanging over you, you and your father could end up in prison for life.”
Both Heather and Samuel paled as the weight of her words sank in. Samuel, never used to being challenged, glared at her with sharp eyes.
“You really want to drive us to the edge? I’m your father!” he spat.
Daisy’s lips curled into a mocking smile. “Haven’t we already severed ties? Where did I get a father from?”
Realizing they were getting nowhere, Daisy, Heather, and Samuel exchanged a look before turning to leave the hospital. Daisy frowned. “They’re trying to run.”
“It’s okay. I’ll make sure someone keeps an eye on them,” Gordon said, giving her shoulder a reassuring pat.
Outside the hospital, Heather ran straight into Desmond. Her eyes lit up as she hurried toward him, desperation written all over her face.
“Desmond, please help us!”
Desmond’s face was hidden in the shadows, his expression unreadable, but his voice remained smooth, almost too smooth. “Alright.”
Heather, unaware of the chill beneath his calm tone, let out a sigh of relief. Desmond led Heather and Samuel to the car. As they drove, Heather’s voice trembled, her apologies coming in a rush.
“Desmond, I didn’t mean to lie to you before. I was afraid that if you found out about my background, you’d look down on me, so…” She bit her lip, playing the part of the embarrassed, awkward woman perfectly. Tears, her most trusted weapon, welled up in her eyes.
But Desmond paid her no mind. The car hummed along, the silence between them thick with unspoken tension. Eventually, when they reached an area far from any surveillance, a couple of bodyguards slid into the car. They grabbed Samuel, dragging him out before the car sped off again.
It was then that Heather felt a cold shiver of realization. Her heart began to race as she nervously asked, “Desmond, where are you taking me?”
Desmond didn’t answer. The car veered into a more isolated area, heading further away from the city until it stopped at an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts. Before Heather could process what was happening, she was roughly yanked from the car.
