Chapter 528 Using the Opponent's Strategy Against Them
Celeste clamped down on Ruth's hand so hard it made Ruth wince.
"Ruth, are you for real? Sophia's really a Brown?"
Before she knew about Sophia's Brown connection, Celeste wouldn't have been this suspicious.
"Yeah, it's true. When the Kellys had their drama, the Browns tried to use Sophia's marriage to get some perks."
Celeste was all worked up. She opened her mouth but couldn't get any words out.
The more freaked out she got, the harder it was to talk.
Ruth gave her hand a gentle pat. "Chill, I get it. Just do another paternity test, and we'll know for sure."
Celeste nodded hard. After a deep breath, she finally managed to speak.
"Thanks, Ruth."
"No biggie. I just don't want the Browns to mess with you. But keep it on the down-low until we get the results. We need solid proof before we make a move."
Celeste echoed, "Yeah, got it."
Ruth glanced at the slightly open door and noticed a shadow. Her eyes narrowed.
"Celeste, if you don't have someone you trust, give me the sample. I'll get it to the hospital."
"Okay, I'll get it to you tomorrow."
Ruth squinted. "Alright, don't stress. The truth will come out soon. Take care of yourself. You need to be well to make it up to your real granddaughter."
Celeste nodded, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders.
Outside the room, Ella pulled Patricia into a corner. Patricia was both freaked out and confused. "Mom, why'd you stop me? That witch Ruth is making Grandma Celeste doubt me and pushing for another paternity test."
Ella looked serious. "If you went in, you'd fall right into Ruth's trap."
"Why?"
Patricia had gone to see Celeste and overheard Ruth talking. She eavesdropped and, realizing Ruth's words were bad news, wanted to burst in.
But Ella, who showed up later, stopped her.
They listened to everything Ruth said to Celeste from outside.
Ella explained, "Ruth's sneaky. If we barged in, who knows what she'd say to make us look bad."
"If we deny it too hard, it'll just make Celeste more suspicious. So we gotta play along."
"How do we play along?" Patricia asked.
Ella's eyes gleamed coldly. "They already doubt you and want another test. If it shows you're still their granddaughter, do you think Celeste will feel more guilty and care for you more, or..."
Patricia got it instantly. Both of them grinned.
She'd been worried about winning back Celeste's trust, and now Ruth had handed them the chance.
This way, Ruth might even get blamed, and Celeste wouldn't trust her anymore.
'Two birds, one stone,' Patricia thought.
"Mom, Ruth said she's taking the stuff to the hospital's testing center."
"I know. Don't sweat it. Head back to Blackwood Mansion and swap out anything that could be tested. Let's kill this thing before it blows up."
"Got it, I'm on it." Patricia took a few steps, then turned back. "But I need to see Grandma."
"See Grandma? She might not even be your Grandma soon." Ella's voice was sharp, her anger at Celeste's doubts seeping through.
Patricia was fuming too. She thought she was Celeste's favorite, her closest granddaughter. But a few words from Ruth had Celeste doubting her.
Patricia thought, 'If Celeste's gonna treat me like this, don't expect me to play nice anymore.'
When Colin showed up, Ruth took off.
Patricia rushed back to Blackwood Mansion and bumped into David, who was about to leave. She called out, "Uncle David."
"Yeah." David's face was a blank slate.
"Heading out, Uncle David?"
"Yeah."
David changed his shoes and left. Patricia's eyes narrowed, but she stayed on task.
Seeing Jennifer resting in her room and the maid busy in the kitchen, she quickly went to her room and swapped out all her stuff like her toothbrush. She also cleaned up any hair on her bed and dressing table.
After that, Patricia headed back to the hospital to see Celeste.
"Grandma." Patricia put on her best worried look, her eyes red.
Celeste pushed down her doubts and patted Patricia's head.
"When will you stop making me worry?"
"I'm sorry, Grandma. I messed up."
"Grandma, let me peel a banana for you." Patricia was eager to show she cared.
Celeste didn't refuse and took the banana after Patricia peeled it.
Celeste asked casually, "Patricia, I dreamed about your mom again last night. Can you tell me more about her?"
Patricia had a story ready, one she often told Celeste.
Today, no matter what Celeste asked, she could stick to that story.
After all, Sophia's mom was dead, and there was no way to check what she said.
"How did your mom die?" Celeste asked.
Patricia answered sadly, "She couldn't handle Dad's death, so she followed him."
Celeste already knew this but wanted to hear it again.
"She was foolish."
"Grandma, don't blame Mom. She loved Dad too much."
Celeste's sorrowful eyes quietly watched Patricia. Although Patricia's words sounded right, they felt off.
Once doubt takes root, everything starts to look suspicious.
For instance, whenever Celeste mentioned Susan, Patricia's face showed only a mechanical sadness, with no real longing or love for her mother.
Celeste suddenly closed her eyes. "I'm tired. You should go."
"Grandma." Patricia's voice wavered.
"I need some quiet, and your concussion still needs time to heal. Go home and rest."
"Then you rest well, Grandma."
Patricia left the hospital room, feeling anxious.
She couldn't read Celeste at all.
This time, she didn't go back to Blackwood Mansion but headed to the Brown Mansion.
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