Chapter 355
Nichol handled everything smoothly, earning a rare look of approval from Lance. Lance nudged the check toward him again. “Go on, take it. When I marry Camilla, you’ll be at the top of the guest list p>
“I really can’t accept this, Lance. I mean p>
“Just take it,” Lance said, cutting him off. “No need to argue. Think of it as me celebrating today, finally recognizing my own son p>
Lance’s attitude left no room for negotiation, so Nichol stopped refusing. Deep down, he couldn’t help but marvel at Lance’s generosity. All this money just for running a paternity test? It almost felt too easy.
He realized he’d totally misjudged Lance, thinking he might ask for a fake report or something shady. Turns out, he’d measured a good guy by his own small-minded standards.
With that in mind, Nichol felt embarrassed about his earlier thoughts. He tried to make up for it with a compliment. “I haven’t met Jasper yet, but a young, successful dad like you? No way that kid isn’t incredible p>
After all, genetics didn’t lie. The kid had to be outstanding.
Lance had no idea what was running through Nichol’s head. He just raised an eyebrow, slightly amused. “Nichol, you’re laying it on a little thick today. I already know my kid’s amazing, but you can say all that to him in person when you meet him p>
Now, with the paternity test in his hands, calling Jasper his son felt a lot more real to Lance.
Nichol felt increasingly guilty. Lance seemed so genuine and easy to talk to. How could he have been so suspicious? He really shouldn’t have doubted him at all.
Lance chatted with Nichol a bit longer, reminding him to keep everything under wraps, then left with Camilla.
After they left, Nichol was still stuck thinking. The test had been real from the start. Anyone could see that. He had no idea why Lance was being so careful and secretive.
Barely ten minutes after Lance and Camilla were gone, Sarah, who was supposed to have left ages ago, stepped out of the restroom at the end of the hallway.
Looking anxious, Sarah found Nichol. “Nichol, what did Lance want from you just now? That paternity test…what’s going on p>
“It’s real, Sarah. You can go tell Tessa. The Charles family has a new grandson to celebrate,” Nichol replied.
He had worked as the Charles family’s private doctor for a while, so he knew everyone pretty well, including Sarah.
He congratulated her with a big smile, genuinely happy for the family, but Sarah didn’t share his mood. If anything, her face grew more serious.
“Nichol, it’s just us here. You can tell me the truth,” she insisted. “You of all people know what could happen if that report is fake. If word gets to Darwin, even all of Lance’s promises won’t protect you. Darwin’s anger isn’t something anyone can deal with. Look, I get that people have their reasons, but if you just tell me what’s really going on, I’ll make sure you’re taken care of if anything comes up later p>
Nichol’s expression turned doubtful. He wasn’t swayed by her offer at all. In fact, his tone was tinged with disbelief and a little irritation. “Sarah, what do you mean? Jasper really is Lance’s son. Darwin’s going to be over the moon about this, not upset. You should hurry back and give everyone the good news p>
Sarah’s face froze, her eyes wide in shock. She wanted to try persuading Nichol a little more, but he looked completely calm, like he was talking about the weather. Not a single sign of a lie.
What was she supposed to think now?
Did she have it all wrong?
Could Jasper really be Lance’s kid?
No way. Absolutely no way.
Tessa and everyone else had said it was impossible for Lance to have been in Cabinda during that time. He probably wasn’t even in the country.
She was sure Lance had promised Nichol something to get his cooperation with this lie.
That belief only firmed up in Sarah’s mind. “Nichol, you can only hide the truth for so long. Sooner or later, it always comes out. Are you sure you want to risk deceiving Darwin? It’s better to come clean before things get out of control p>
Nichol’s face was full of confusion. “Sarah, are you misunderstanding something? I’ve explained this so many times already. Jasper is Lance’s son. The DNA results are clear. There’s no mistake. If you still don’t believe me, take some hair from both Lance and Jasper and do the test somewhere else p>
Sarah’s constant questioning was starting to wear on Nichol’s patience. His voice turned sharp.
Sarah just stood there, as if she’d been struck by lightning.
If Nichol was willing to let her redo the test anywhere she wanted, it had to be the truth. Jasper really was Lance’s child.
But how was that even possible? Those years, Lance wasn’t even in the country.
Everyone always said Lance had been away studying abroad, but only the family knew the truth. Lance had been in the military all that time, sent on secret missions all over the place. Even his own family struggled to keep track of him.
Even though Sarah lived with the Charles family, she’d gone years without seeing Lance. Sometimes she imagined, if he hadn’t been sent off to the military, and they’d grown up together, maybe she could have been his girlfriend by now.