Chapter 23
Upon seeing them, Samuel’s expression darkened, his gaze turning cold as if he were facing a formidable adversary.
“Daisy, you’re not welcome here. Leave,” he ordered, his voice full of disdain.
“I don’t want to be here either,” Daisy replied with cold indifference, her voice steady. “But I’ve come to take back what’s mine.”
In a swift motion, she raised her hand, signaling for the three people behind her to step forward. The middle-aged man at the front addressed Samuel and his wife, his tone official and unyielding.
“We’re from Rodriguez Law Firm. We’re here today to, ”
At that moment, Desmond learned of the Johnson Group’s origins. Daisy’s grandfather had founded the company. Upon his passing, he had left his shares to his daughter and son-in-law, but the will carried a condition: when Daisy grew up and married, the shares held by her parents would be transferred to her as part of her dowry.
Desmond finally understood why Samuel and Heather had worked so hard to prevent Daisy from marrying. It wasn’t just Hannah’s obvious favoritism toward her adopted daughter; it was fear. Samuel feared that, upon marriage, Daisy would claim the shares he’d always felt entitled to. Desperate, he and his daughter had been willing to go to any lengths, even harming Daisy.
It was laughable. Desmond had once believed Heather’s affection was genuine, abandoning the woman who truly loved him time and time again for her. Now, he felt like nothing but a fool, an unwitting puppet, completely duped.
Samuel and Heather’s faces twisted in shock as the lawyer revealed the will.
Samuel’s voice dropped low, venom seeping into his words. “Daisy has severed all ties with us. By law, she’s no longer a part of the Johnson family and has no claim to the shares.”
The lawyer remained unfazed. “This will stands, regardless of Daisy severing ties with you. Mr. Johnson, please proceed with the share transfer without delay.”
Turning to Hannah, he added, “The shares you gave to Heather are invalid gifts. Return them immediately.”
Hannah’s rage flared. She shot Daisy a venomous glare. “If your grandfather were alive and saw what you’ve become, he’d regret his decision! If I’d known, I would’ve left you to your fate, ungrateful wretch!”
But Daisy didn’t flinch. No emotion stirred in her eyes. Gordon, however, was a storm ready to break. Stepping forward, he fixed Hannah with a cold, unyielding gaze.
“Mrs. Johnson, right? I have something for you,” he said, his voice low and steady.
“You’ve sacrificed everything for your adopted daughter, even turning your back on your own blood. Now, you’ll see exactly who she is.”
At Gordon’s words, both Samuel and Heather’s faces lost all color. They could already feel the weight of what was about to be revealed. As they scrambled to stop him, Hannah had already unfolded the document in her hands. It was a paternity test, one that revealed a devastating truth: Heather was her husband’s illegitimate daughter.
Hannah froze, her eyes locking onto the final line. When she saw the probability that her husband was Heather’s father at 99.999%, it was as if a thunderclap had shattered her reality. Her face drained of color as she slowly raised her eyes to Heather, barely able to whisper, “You’re my husband’s illegitimate daughter?”
“Mom,” Heather grabbed her hand in a panic, her voice trembling. “It’s not true. Your sister or someone else must have forged this to trick you. How could I be Dad’s illegitimate daughter? He’s always been so loyal to you. He would never betray you!”
Heather spoke with such conviction that Hannah, who had always trusted her, was once again swayed. Her heart settled as she nodded, “Yes, your father would never betray me. We’ve been together for so many years. He wouldn’t secretly have another woman.”
With a hateful glare, Hannah suddenly began to speak recklessly, “I know you’re good at forging lies and distorting the truth, but I never imagined you’d go so far as to come up with such a vicious scheme! Why don’t you just go die? If you die, everyone will be at peace!”
