Template placeholder with Chapter 405

Chapter 405:

Amelia’s phone buzzed with a call from Shepard just before she was about to go to bed.

Expecting him to bring up the DNA test, she was surprised when he said, “Mrs. Stewart, could you help look after Ms. Finch p>

He then briefly explained the night’s events at the bar.

Since it wasn’t practical to take the intoxicated Kelsey back to the 10:05 estate, Shepard had brought her to a hotel. But as a man, Shepard felt it was inappropriate to stay with her alone in the room.

Not knowing any other female friends in Kretol, he decided to call Amelia.

𝖭𝗲𝘸 c𝗁аptе𝗿𝗌 𝘦𝘷𝖾𝗿𝘆 𝗐𝗲е𝘬 𝗈𝗇

“Send me the address. I’ll be there quickly,” Amelia replied.

Wyatt entered just as Amelia stepped out of the walk-in closet, dressed to leave. “Going somewhere?” he asked softly.

“Kelsey’s drunk. I’m going to check on her,” she answered.

At the mention of Kelsey’s name, Wyatt paused briefly before saying, “I’ll come with you p>

When they entered the presidential suite on the hotel’s top floor, both froze at the sight before them.

Kelsey, thoroughly drunk, clung to Shepard, tugging at his clothes with force. Shepard’s black shirt was in disarray, the collar wide open, exposing the faint contours of his chest muscles.

Spotting Wyatt and Amelia, Shepard fumbled to fix his collar, but Kelsey yanked at it again. Her drunken strength was relentless, and Shepard, wary of hurting her, couldn’t break free, leaving him in an awkward bind.

Seeing Amelia and Wyatt gawking, Shepard said in resignation, “Don’t just stand there. Help me out p>

Just as he finished speaking, Kelsey’s hand cracked across his face, leaving a vivid handprint on his cheek. Amelia cringed at the force of it.

“Wyatt, you jerk! Why don’t you like me?” Kelsey slurred, clearly mistaking Shepard for Wyatt. Shepard, stunned, let out an exasperated laugh, ready to push her away.

Amelia rushed forward, steadying Kelsey.

After some effort, she got Kelsey settled comfortably on the bed.

Returning to the suite’s living room, Amelia saw Shepard icing his swollen cheek, the mark still glaringly red.

Worried that Shepard might resent Kelsey, especially since he had taken a hit meant for Wyatt, Amelia chose her words carefully. “Mr. Chadwick, Kelsey was drunk. I hope you’ll be kind enough to overlook what happened p>

Given that Kelsey was a woman, Shepard couldn’t possibly retaliate by slapping her back, not to mention that she was drunk.

But at Amelia’s words, his eyes narrowed with a calculating glint. “If you want me to let it slide, Mrs. Stewart, just agree to one thing p>

Amelia went quiet after hearing that.

Wyatt stepped in, his tone sharp. “Mr. Chadwick, your family’s internal disputes shouldn’t drag in outsiders p>

“If Mrs. Stewart is truly my sister, she is no outsider to the Chadwick family,” Shepard countered. “You already know, don’t you, Mr. Stewart? There’s a strong chance she really is my father’s daughter. Would you let someone else claim what is rightfully hers? As far as I know, the Stewart family has never been satisfied with her background. If she’s recognized as a Chadwick in Hans, wouldn’t that be a good thing p>

“You are only saying that out of self-interest,” Wyatt said coldly.

Seeing Shepard’s expression darken, Wyatt continued mockingly, “Your father adored Amelia’s mother, which is why Brielle ranks higher than you or your brother in his eyes. He has even considered passing the company’s shares to her. You can’t stand that, so you’re desperate to prove Amelia is the real daughter of your father p>

Shepard instinctively turned to look at Amelia at Wyatt’s words.

Catching the faint scorn in her eyes, he quickly tried to explain, “It’s not just that. I also p>

“Mr. Chadwick, enough. I don’t want to hear it,” Amelia said firmly, cutting him off. “Even if your father is my biological father, I would never join the Chadwick family p>

Shepard wanted to ask her why, but she continued before he could say anything, “Your father left my mother and, in a way, caused her death. If you were me, Mr. Chadwick, could you forgive him after everything p>

Shepard watched Wyatt and Amelia’s intertwined hands, staying silent for a moment before responding, “But being recognized as a Chadwick would make your place inside the Stewart family more secure p>

“She doesn’t need that,” Wyatt said before Amelia could reply. “You may not be aware, Mr. Chadwick, but my wife is the primary shareholder of the Stewart Group now. She doesn’t need your family’s support p>