Chapter 55
Chapter 55
“I heard from Zayron that you brought Bay to Justin's infirmary to remove the toxin. Thank you, Artemis. I'll remember your kindness and repay you when I have the opportunity in the future.”
Artemis arched his brow and said with a half smile, “Who told you I brought her to Justin's infirmary? She took a nap at my private mansion.”
“Lecher.”
“Scoundrel.”
“Shameless.”
Three childish voices sounded in succession as they criticized Artemis.
Artemis' face turned grim.
They do look like a real family at first glance. D*mn their familial warmth and bonding. Even my own son is siding with others. What the hell?
Edmund chuckled and replied gently, “As I expected. After all, the journey from the Jefferson residence to Justin's infirmary requires an hour, but to travel from the Jefferson residence to your private mansion takes only twenty minutes. You're a brilliant man, Artemis, so it is nothing out of the ordinary for you to choose the second option.”
Artemis narrowed his eyes slightly and sneered, “Aren't you too generous? Aren't you worried that I've touched her?”
Edmund shook his head, wearing a smile. “Artemis, I've known Bay for seven years. I know her personality very well. If you really took advantage of her, I reckon you two would be at the hospital now instead of appearing here together in such a peaceful manner.”
An awkward silence filled the air afterward.
“Max, your daddy misses you. He's here to visit you. Why don't you follow him back today and come again tomorrow?”
Bailey could not help but attempt to lighten the mood as the atmosphere had turned heavy with tension.
Unfortunately, Maxton did not cooperate with her.
“You've never missed me since I was born seven years ago. Aren't you being too pretentious to say that you miss me now? Well, you've seen me now, so you can leave now. I won't be seeing you out.”
Artemis was dumbfounded.
That was his biological son speaking.
Zayron chimed in, “It is inappropriate for a man with a fiancée like you to appear in a single mother's house so late into the night. You should hurry up and leave before you tarnish my mommy's reputation.”
Again, Artemis was rendered speechless.
That was his biological nephew uttering those words.
Bailey could distinctly feel Artemis' fury and icy aura. She rubbed her temples as her head began to hurt.
Artemis was indeed not endearing. Even the children disliked him. Exclusive content from NôvelDrama.Org.
Artemis swept his indifferent gaze across the two kids before finally focusing on Edmund. “I have something to talk to you about. Care to join me downstairs?”
Edmund grinned. He turned to look at Bailey and said tenderly, “It's getting late. I'll be taking my leave now. You all should rest earlier. Any pending matters can be dealt with tomorrow.”
“Okay. Drive safely on your way back, and leave me a message when you're home.”
“Okay.”
Artemis stood rooted to his spot for three seconds in silence. Envy rose within him once again as he sensed Bailey had no intention of reminding him to take care.
She gives Edmund such gentle reminders but is reluctant to spare me even a glance. This woman... This is just great!
After exiting the condominium, Artemis retrieved a document from his car and handed it to Edmund.
Edmund raised his brows at him, received the document, and browsed through the contents on the
paper. “Artemis, I'm not adept at interpreting medical reports. Giving me this is no different from asking me to read from a piece of blank paper.”
Artemis trained his eyes on Edmund and enunciated, “This is the paternity test result of you and Zayron. We are both in the know, so there's no need to be secretive. Zayron is not your child.”
Edmund smiled faintly. “That's all you wanted to tell me, Artemis? Justin is your subordinate, so I'm not surprised he told you the paternity test result was tampered with. Do you have anything else to say aside from this matter?”
Artemis snorted. He shifted his gaze to the middle section of the paper and uttered casually, “That kid is related to you by blood. He's not your son, but you two are close relatives.”
Edmund was taken aback. He looked at Artemis in astonishment as his body tensed up.
“What do you mean?”
“He's probably the son of your brother or cousin on the paternal side. He could also be your maternal side's cousin's child.”
Edmund was stunned as if something had exploded in his brain.
He did not have any brothers or cousins on the paternal side. As for cousins from the maternal side...
Edmund had a few cousins from his maternal side, but they were all blood relatives of the Danontand royal family. Paternal-wise, the only male cousins he had were Felicity's sons.
“He is Simon's—”
An agonized expression flashed across his face as he suddenly stopped speaking.
How is this possible? How can Zayron and Susan be Simon's children?
Artemis stared at Edmund coldly and said, “Zayron asked Max to steal Simon's blood sample from the Luther family's infirmary. I suppose he intended to carry out a paternity test secretly. If the result shows that he's Simon's son, I wish you can keep your distance from Bailey. She's off-limits if she's our sister- in-law.”
Edmund was stupefied. His lips moved as he hesitated to speak while he gazed emptily at the test report in his hand.
Artemis stretched out his hand to pat Edmund's shoulder. Then he turned on his heels and opened the car door. “Get in. I'll send you back to the Chivers residence.”
Edmund did not respond.
Meanwhile, inside the living room of the Jefferson residence, Clarence slapped Beatrice's face forcefully without reserving his strength, causing her to fall backward onto the couch.
He pointed at her with a trembling finger and bellowed, “You idiot! I can't believe you came up with that ridiculous idea to set Bailey up. Should I call you a hero or a fool? Look at what you've done. The Jefferson family's reputation is dragged through the mud now because of you and Rhonda. Are you satisfied now?”
Beatrice covered her swollen right cheek and sat upright on the couch. She gazed at Clarence calmly and uttered scornfully, “Do you really think that bastard Bailey is taking care of is Edmund's child? All those years you've spent in the business world must have gone down the drain for you to fail to discern such a simple trick.”
Clarence narrowed his eyes at her and questioned her fiercely, “What do you mean? Do you have any proof that the kid is not a member of the Chivers family? Don't tell me Edmund bribed Justin to alter the paternity test result and turn himself into a cuckold on purpose?”
Rhonda piped up fearfully, “Daddy, Edmund was abroad, celebrating Old Mr. Chivers' birthday during that time seven years ago. He wasn't even in the country, so how could he have impregnated Bailey?”
Clarence's face turned pale as he seemed to have thought of something.
Beatrice agreed with her daughter. “Clarence, the real culprit who will bring disaster to the Jefferson family is not Ronni and me. That person is Bailey. She tricked Edmund into tampering with the paternity test result and lied to the Chiverses. Her lies will be exposed one day. When Mr. Chivers knows that the kid is not a member of the Chivers family, he will undoubtedly wish to settle the score with the Jefferson family. Even so, do you still plan to side with your traitorous daughter who's trying to falsify her bastard as the Chivers family's heir?”
A hint of terror flashed across Clarence's eyes.
Even ten Jefferson families combined could not stand a chance against a Chivers family. If the Chivers family truly wished to place that blame on the Jefferson family, Clarence and his family would definitely have to face the terrible fate of getting wiped out.
Sensing his determination wavering, Beatrice immediately pressed that matter further. “Your treacherous daughter is challenging the Chivers family's bottom line. If you allow her to return to the family, you will be the Chivers family's first target once the truth is uncovered. Clarence, isn't it sufficient for us to rely on the powerful Luther family? Why should we take the risk of lying on behalf of that b*tch?”
Clarence was anxious and exasperated. “That deceitful imbecile. H-How dare she?”