Template placeholder with Chapter 366
Chapter 366:
In the stillness that hung heavily between them, Shepard could no longer tolerate the quiet and asked, “Dad, are you still hesitating about this p>
Weston remained silent, his mind adrift in contemplation.
Just as Shepard prepared to press him again, Weston gave a deliberate answer. “Let’s hold off until Brielle is back before going to the hospital. Reach Davey first p>
Shepard thought about insisting they take Brielle to the hospital right away, but the look on Weston’s face made him hold his tongue.
Meanwhile, Brielle sat in a quiet, private corner booth at a café.
Th𝗲 𝖻𝗲𝘀𝘵 r𝘦𝘢𝘥i𝗻𝗴 𝘦x𝗉𝘦𝗋𝗂𝘦𝗻c𝖾 o𝗇
Having overheard Shepard and Weston’s conversation in the study, she had quickly contacted Elmore.
“I warned you against meeting me so recklessly. Can’t you just say what you need over the phone?” Elmore reprimanded.
“My identity has been exposed,” Brielle said.
“What?” Elmore’s expression darkened, his tone sharp with urgency. “How did this happen p>
Brielle relayed the details of the overheard discussion, adding, “When I slipped out, Shepard was already planning to ask Amelia to do a paternity test, and I p>
Her phone buzzed before she could finish.
Seeing Weston’s name on the screen, she felt her heart race with dread. Her immediate fear was that Weston had already conducted a paternity test with Amelia, and she was about to lose her identity as a Chadwick.
While Brielle spiraled into panic, Elmore stayed calm. Handing her the phone, he said evenly, “Steady yourself and find out what Weston wants first p>
Taking a deep breath, Brielle answered the call.
“Brielle, where are you now?” Weston asked.
“Just out shopping, Dad. Something wrong p>
Weston missed the probing note in her voice. After a short pause, he candidly mentioned wanting to do a paternity test with her.
Hearing Weston’s words, Brielle was so frightened that she nearly dropped her phone. This scared her even more than hearing about Weston’s paternity test results with Amelia.
Unaware that Brielle knew the truth, Weston assumed her silence was due to displeasure and reassured, “It’s only a paternity test, Brielle. There’s no reason for you to be afraid p>
But knowing she wasn’t really his daughter, how could she not be afraid?
Brielle didn’t even know how the call concluded. Turning to Elmore across the table, she said in a trembling voice, “Dad, Weston is pushing for a paternity test with me. What do I do p>
Brielle had known her real identity for years.
When she was twelve, Elmore, wary of her growing attachment to the Chadwick family, revealed she was his daughter, not Weston’s. She hadn’t believed him until he arranged a paternity test to confirm it.
“Why are you so shaken? Are you so afraid of losing your place within the Chadwick family?” Elmore asked coldly.
Brielle nearly nodded but caught the ice in his stare and quickly said, “No, of course not. You’re my real father. I’m just concerned this could disrupt your plans p>
When Azariah Figueroa, head of the Figueroa family, had been selecting an heir, he had spared no effort in testing his sons. With both Geoffrey Figueroa, the elder, and Elmore, the younger, proving highly capable, Azariah had designed a series of trials to determine the heir. They had an agreement that whoever was the first to complete the challenges would assume control of the Figueroa family.
Elmore excelled in most challenges, but at a crucial moment, his project was snatched by Weston. Though such losses were common in the business world, this defeat cost Elmore his shot at being the heir.
The incident fueled a deep-seated grudge against Weston.
So, when Elmore learned of Weston’s relationship with Katrina, he acted swiftly, deploying agents to shadow them and subtly leaking Katrina’s details to Kennedy, orchestrating their breakup.
Three days after Brielle’s birth, Elmore sent her to Weston with a forged letter crafted to mimic Katrina’s handwriting.
He was certain the letter would prevent Weston from ever questioning Brielle’s paternity with a test, and events played out just as he had predicted. To cement Brielle’s position, Elmore went to great lengths to retrieve the gold pendant of Katrina’s daughter.
He took pleasure in watching Weston favor Brielle over his own sons, Shepard and Weldon.
He wouldn’t let the secret hidden for so many years be easily exposed. Seeing Brielle’s anxious expression, he said coolly, “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of the hospital arrangements p>
Hearing this, Brielle breathed a sigh of relief.
Deep down, she far preferred her life as a Chadwick over returning to the Figueroa family. Weston adored her unconditionally, and neither Shepard nor Weldon could match her sway in the Chadwick family. Rejoining the Figueroa family would strip her of that privilege.
After agreeing to Elmore’s plan, Brielle got ready to leave. But as she reached the door, Elmore’s voice cut through with a firm warning. “Brielle, never forget your true identity p>