Template placeholder with Chapter 365

Chapter 365:

After returning to the Chadwick estate, Weston secluded himself in his study, refusing to emerge for a full day and night.

The butler, at a loss for what to do, contacted Shepard and asked him to return. Using a spare key, Shepard unlocked the study and found Weston motionless in a chair, his eyes fixed on the painting before him.

The woman in the portrait, with her refined features and captivating presence, was unmistakably Katrina.

Gathering his resolve, Shepard said cautiously, “Dad, have you ever considered that Mrs. Stewart might be my half-sister p>

Weston, still in a trance, replied instinctively, “That’s impossible. Brielle is your sister p>

“How can you be so certain Brielle is my sister p>

“The gold pendant she has — I bought it with Katrina. She designed the pattern herself. We decided it would be our daughter’s first gift. And when Brielle was brought to the Chadwick family, she came with a letter in Katrina’s handwriting p>

𝗪𝗵а𝘵 𝘦𝘃𝗲𝘳𝘆𝗼𝗇e 𝗶𝘀 r𝖾𝗮𝖽𝗂𝗇g 𝗼𝗻.со𝗆

Shepard’s eyes brimmed with frustration at Weston’s response. He wanted to argue that a pendant proved nothing and that handwriting could be forged by a skilled hand. But knowing Weston was too stubborn to hear reason now, Shepard cut to the chase.

“Dad, Marlon’s investigation confirmed that Mrs. Stewart’s father isn’t her biological one p>

Weston, previously unresponsive, snapped to attention, his eyes widening. “Are you certain about that p>

“I wouldn’t lie about something like this. Besides, the truth is easy to verify; you only need to do a DNA test with Mrs. Stewart p>

In the study, Shepard and Weston discussed how to broach the subject with Amelia, unaware that Brielle was eavesdropping at the door.

Overhearing their conversation, Brielle clasped her hand over her mouth and slipped away silently.

Back at the hotel from the restaurant, Amelia felt utterly shaken.

Noticing her distress, Wyatt gave her space in the bedroom, lingering in the living room until a knock came at the door.

Wyatt’s expression turned icy when he saw Shepard outside. “Mr. Chadwick, is it appropriate for you to track down my wife like this p>

“I apologize, but it’s urgent, and I had no other option.” Before Wyatt could respond, Shepard stated plainly, “I need to speak with Mrs. Stewart. Is now a good time p>

“No, it’s not,” Wyatt replied sharply.

“Mr. Stewart, this is important. I need to talk to her p>

Before Shepard could finish speaking, Amelia, alerted by the noise, opened the bedroom door. As she stepped out of the room and walked over, Wyatt moved aside.

“Mr. Chadwick, what do you want to discuss with me?” Amelia asked.

Thinking Amelia might be his sister, Shepard had a thousand things to say but didn’t know how to start. After a long pause, he asked, “Would you consider taking a DNA test with my father p>

“No,” Amelia refused flatly.

“Why not?” Shepard was stunned by her firm refusal.

Amelia’s gaze sharpened with resolve. “Why should I agree to a DNA test with your father p>

“Because…” Shepard hesitated, wanting to say she might be his sister, but her piercing stare silenced him.

Marlon’s investigation had detailed Amelia’s life. Her years had been far from easy in the Flynn family. Katrina had shielded her while alive, but after her death, Amelia’s life had been marked by hardship.

Shepard left the hotel with a heavy expression.

Watching him go, Amelia clenched her fists instinctively.

She wasn’t foolish — Shepard’s implications were clear. But if she were truly Weston’s daughter, it could only mean one thing: Weston was the man who had abandoned her mother years ago.

“Wyatt, let’s return to Kretol,” Amelia said.

“Alright, I’ll have Barrie arrange the plane right now p>

Half an hour later, Amelia and Wyatt were on a flight to Kretol.

Back at the Chadwick residence, Weston awaited Shepard’s update, pacing restlessly in the living room.

When Shepard entered, Weston hurried over. “How did it go?” he asked.

“She refused p>

“Refused? Why p>

Instead of answering, Shepard handed Weston a document. “Read it yourself p>

It was Marlon’s investigation report.

Weston opened it, puzzled, but as he read, his hands began to shake.

“Dad, besides doing a DNA test with Mrs. Stewart, you can also do one with Brielle,” Shepard said.

When Brielle had first arrived at the Chadwick family, Kennedy had urged Weston to confirm her identity with a DNA test, but Weston, fiercely emotional, had refused, claiming it would dishonor his love for Katrina.