Suddenly There Are Three (Bailey and Artemis) novel Chapter 35

Chapter 35

His words were indeed a slap in the face for Clarence. The latter refuted, “No! That's not true! My dearest grandson, I'm your granddad, the biological one!”

Zayron pursed his lips before he looked up at Gwendolyn piteously. “Grandma, he disowned my mommy when she was pregnant with me. Is it all right if I don't acknowledge such a scumbag as my granddad?”

The way Zayron addressed Gwendolyn really melted her heart.

“Zayron, the decision lies in your hands. Nobody can force you into doing anything,” she reassured him gently.

Zayron blinked as a sly look glinted in his eyes. “I don't feel like seeing them now. Grandma, could you please get someone to chase them out?”

There was a drastic change in Gwendolyn's countenance. It was as though a sunny day had turned cloudy in the blink of an eye.

Shooting daggers at the threesome from the Jefferson family, she pointed at the door and stated indifferently, “Since my grandson doesn't welcome all of you, you'd better leave now. Heed my words, and don't get on his nerves. Otherwise, it'll be too late for you to cry over spilled milk later.”

Wearing a look of sheer embarrassment, Clarence was bereft of speech.

Meanwhile, there was intense abhorrence on Beatrice's and Rhonda's faces.

They had gone there mainly to witness how Bailey would be ostracized by the Luther family and the Chivers family after Yoel revealed her so-called true colors.

It never crossed their minds that things would turn the other way around. Unexpectedly, they became the ones burying their faces in their hands in utter embarrassment.

“Max, come with me to the Jefferson residence, okay?” At her wit's end, Rhonda could only step forward to embrace Maxton. She could not and would not allow him to stay by Bailey's side.

Maxton snorted without struggling before he drew closer and whispered near her ear, “Let go of me now. If not, you only have yourself to blame when I force you into taking a paternity test.”

Unfazed by his words, Rhonda gazed at him with tears welling up in her eyes as she choked up. “Max, trust me. I'm your mommy. Coincidentally, Mr. Xuereb is here. If you still doubt it, I'll request him to conduct a maternity test for us.”

Instead of lowering her voice, she deliberately raised it.

Stupefied, Maxton stared at her. A hint of astonishment flashed across his eyes. How's it possible that this woman is not terrified at all?

A hint of frigidness flickered in Rhonda's eyes. Realizing that she was currently in a disadvantageous position, she could only exercise restraint so Felicity and Artemis would not be suspicious of her.

“Mrs. Luther, Artemis, I have no idea what provoked Max into saying such things. Perhaps he was instigated by someone else. He's never been like this before. Even though he's not close to me, I'm still his biological mother. Now he treats me as if I were his mortal enemy, but I have no idea what I've done wrong. How about I request Mr. Xuereb to help conduct a maternity test for us?” she added earnestly.

Felicity was already infuriated from what happened with Bailey. Hence, she could not refrain from lashing out when she saw that Rhonda was put in a tight spot. “It's an indisputable fact that you're Max's mother. Who here has the audacity to question your identity?”

“B-But Max appears to have been brainwashed by others and is refusing to acknowledge me as his mother.” Rhonda feigned pitifulness.

“He has no right to do so as you were the one who gave birth to him.”

Beatrice grabbed the opportunity to smooth things over. “Ronni, Max is still young, and he doesn't understand what he's saying. Don't take his words to heart, okay? Stop mentioning silly things like getting a maternity test too.”

With that, she turned to tell Felicity, “Mrs. Luther, since the truth has come to light, there's no point for us to linger here. We'll take Ronni home with us first so you guys can have a family reunion.”

“All right. Ronni has not been in a good mood lately. Try to enlighten her and talk her out of acting foolishly by being at odds with her son.”

“Okay.”

After the Jeffersons were out of sight, Justin said to Artemis, “Follow me to the study now. I have something to tell you.”

Artemis threw Bailey a glance before striding after Justin.

With half the people gone, the room was suddenly a lot more spacious.

Felicity steeled herself and explained sheepishly to Edmund's parents, “I insisted that Ed should have a paternity test with the boy because I was worried someone might taint the Chivers family's bloodline. Now that the truth has been unearthed, I'm more than happy that the Chivers family finally has a successor from the third generation.”

Gwendolyn smiled as she looked at her without any response. She cast her head down to ask the little boy in her arms, “It's almost eleven now. Are you hungry? How about I take you for some fried chicken?”

On the heels of that, she froze momentarily. Smacking her forehead, she could not help chastising herself, “Ah! My memory is getting worse as I age. I almost forgot how you were poisoned after eating fried chicken previously. Let's quit taking unhealthy food. I'll take you to a five-star restaurant then.”

“Okay!” Zayron dragged her out eagerly.

Meanwhile, Edmund advanced toward Bailey with a smile and stretched out his hand to hold hers. In a gentle voice, he suggested, “It's about time for lunch. I bet both of you must be feeling hungry now. How about joining my mother for a meal in the restaurant?”

Gazing at his stunning good looks, Bailey hesitated.

Sensing what was bugging her, Edmund tightened the grip on her fingertips. Evidently, no words were necessary to portray his feelings.

“Okay. I can't let the kids starve since they're still growing.” Bailey could not resist heaving a silent sigh before relenting. After all, if Edmund doesn't care, why should I blow things out of proportion by insisting on revealing the truth?

Edmund bent down to pick Maxton up before turning to tell Yoel, “Dad, take your time to have a chat with Aunt Felicity. I'll be bringing them for a meal then.”

Yoel waved his hand impatiently. “Go ahead. Remember not to let your mom drink wine so it won't trigger her health issues.”

Felicity's face fell the moment they stepped out. She stated grimly, “Justin is Ed's good friend, so who knows whether Ed might have bribed him? Yoel, I think you should run a few more paternity tests in secret.”

Yoel let out a deep sigh and reminded her, “Felicity, don't forget that Justin is not only the Luther family's family doctor but also Artemis' subordinate. There's no way he would take orders from Ed.”

Felicity tried to retort, “But—”

“Felicity, enough of that. You should be glad that there's finally a successor for the Chivers family instead of questioning if he's Ed's flesh and blood. Not to mention, I'm convinced that Justin is a professional and ethical doctor who won't be bribed by anyone. Furthermore, I'm sure that my son won't lie to us on this either.”

As Felicity's face turned somber, there was a faint hint of displeasure in her eyes. D*mn it! How many times have I been humiliated because of Bailey Jefferson?

She could not help loathing Bailey. Pfft! That woman's obviously putting up a good front. While she looks cold and distant on the surface, she's nothing but a sl*t in reality. Why else would she have such a terrible reputation in Hallsbay?

In the meantime, Justin walked toward the floor-to-ceiling window in the study of his infirmary with two glasses of red wine.

He handed one of the glasses to Artemis before arching his brows. “Is something bothering you?”

The lack of expression on the latter's exceptionally chiseled face added to his imposing demeanor.

“Is it because of the paternity test result?” Justin questioned again.

Catching sight of the intensifying somberness on Artemis' face, Justin patted him on the shoulder and teased, “Ha! She's undoubtedly caught your eye. Too bad for you, Edmund has fallen for her.”