Chapter 659 Taylor and Julian Get Engaged, Samuel Seethes
When Cressida was finally driven out, the sight was almost pitiful.
Luna curled into Taylor's arms, her small cheek resting against Taylor's chest as she breathed in her scent. She had never known Cressida's embrace, but as the warmth and scent wrapped around her, she realized — this was the scent of a mother's love.
Her tiny hands clung to Taylor, unwilling to let go.
Taylor smoothed Luna's hair with gentle fingers before turning to greet the visitors. "Mr. Learmond, Mrs. Learmond, it is a pleasure to meet you."
Kellan and Kennedy exchanged a glance.
Kellan kept his composure, but Kennedy's joy was impossible to hide.
The Learmonds had finally met someone who could put Cressida in her place, and the more Kennedy looked at Taylor, the more she liked her.
Outside, the snow had stopped.
The early sun shone through a thin veil of mist, casting a golden glow over the snow-covered ground until it glittered like a field of diamonds.
Inside the main house, warmth and laughter filled the air.
Kellan and Kennedy had arrived without warning, and Taylor had taken the day off to host them. After giving Molly a few instructions, she returned to the dining room for breakfast.
Kennedy held Luna close, reluctant to let her go. Her eyes shimmered with tears. This was the daughter of her eldest son, Efrain Learmond. Holding this warm little girl stirred both deep love and sharp grief. Efrain was gone, and seeing his child brought back the ache of his absence.
Kellan felt the same, though he kept his emotions in check. He patted Luna's head and said to Julian and Taylor, "This is good. Luna finally has a home."
His voice grew heavier. "We owe Taylor a great deal. Without her, there would have been no getting rid of Cressida. That woman was like a parasite. Efrain suffered so much because of her. Your mother and I still taste the bitterness when we think of it."
He sighed. "When Efrain passed, Julian wanted nothing to do with Cressida. But Efrain left a letter saying he held no hatred toward her, and asked Julian to treat her kindly. That letter... it kept Julian from acting."
Taylor glanced at Julian, the truth dawning on her.
Meanwhile, Kennedy could not stop doting on Luna. Though they had come in a rush, she had brought a few things. The driver handed her a small chest, which she opened carefully. Inside lay exquisite gemstone jewelry worth a fortune, along with property deeds.
Some were Kennedy's own, others had been set aside by Efrain for Luna. Kennedy knew Taylor would never take what belonged to the girl, so she handed everything over as a gift.
"It is Luna's blessing," Kennedy said, wiping her tears.
Luna reached up with her tiny hands to dab at Kennedy's cheeks, her soft voice calling out to her. The sound filled Kennedy's heart with joy and sorrow.
Taylor accepted the gifts without protest. A girl with her own assets would have more choices in life. Though Julian was already wealthy, what Efrain had left carried a different weight. The jewelry was meant for Taylor, and she accepted that too.
Kennedy promised to prepare more, though Taylor already felt it was more than enough. She was not with Julian for wealth — she only wanted to give him and Luna happiness.
When Kellan and Kennedy came to Evergreen City, Henry and Amelia arranged to meet them. Both families were pleased, and Taylor and Julian's wedding was set for Valentine's Day, with Luna as the flower girl.
Though the Montague Group had passed to Avery, Taylor was still the eldest daughter of the Montague family. The engagement announcement was released by the Montague Group's PR department, and Julian's company published their wedding photos.
The couple looked stunning together — a perfect match. Luna sat between them, a little angel in white.
At SamZen Tech headquarters, Samuel sat in his office, staring at Taylor's wedding photo on his laptop. His mood soured as if something precious had been stolen from him.
Taylor was really getting married.
He spent the entire morning doing nothing but staring at that photo. When Zenobia called, he ignored it. With his connection to Taylor, he no longer feared Zenobia's threats — he only had to wait for Leo to take her down.
The office door opened quietly. Quentin stepped in, cautious. "Mr. Collins, there is a Ms. Lawson here to see you."
"Ms. Lawson?"
Samuel had no interest in meeting anyone, until Quentin added, "She says she is Julian's sister-in-law."
Julian's sister-in-law — Luna's biological mother.
Samuel's interest was piqued. He wanted to see what kind of woman she was, and how she compared to Zenobia.
"Let her in."
Cressida entered with a determined look. She knew Samuel and Taylor's divorce had been bitter, and she saw him as a potential ally. If Samuel would just admit he was not Luna's biological father, she might still turn things around. She could not afford to fail today — no matter the cost.
Samuel closed his laptop, leaning back in his leather chair as his gaze swept over her. His first words were blunt.
"Ms. Lawson, I hear you drove your husband to his grave. You walk in here uninvited, and I have not even had the chance to clear away the bad luck."
Quentin covered her mouth to hide a laugh.
Cressida, confident in her looks, had expected a wealthy man like Samuel to be drawn to her. She had not anticipated his sharp tongue.
Still, she swallowed her pride. "Mr. Collins, I came to discuss a possible collaboration."
Samuel leaned forward, taking a cigarette from a silver case and lighting it. When his gaze returned to her, it was bold, almost predatory.
Cressida thought she had him.
Once Quentin left, she leaned over his desk, hands braced on the polished wood, the neckline of her dress dipping low.
Her voice dripped with seduction, "Mr. Collins, I believe you will tell the truth. The truth about Luna's real parentage."
Samuel exhaled smoke lazily, his tone mocking. "And what truth would that be?"
Cressida leaned in further, smiling with confidence. She was sure she could win him over. "That you are not Luna's biological father. That you share no blood with her."
Samuel let out a short laugh.
He leaned in, his fingers lightly gripping her chin. "Sorry to disappoint you, but Luna is the product of my seven-year marriage to Taylor. Every month, I pay child support. Little girls grow fast — one month a dress fits, the next it is too small. As her father, I take that seriously."
Cressida's face darkened. "Why lie, Mr. Collins?"
"Lying? Am I?"
His voice dropped to a near whisper, intimate yet laced with contempt. "Do you know why I feel nothing for you? Because you are Julian's past. You reek of that bastard, and it makes me sick. Stop flaunting yourself in front of me — it is pathetic."
The cruelty in his words left Cressida frozen. No man had ever humiliated her like this — not even Julian. Her lips trembled as she stayed leaning over the desk, unable to move.
From the doorway, Quentin's voice broke the silence. "Mr. Collins, Zenobia is here."
Samuel heard, but ignored it. Instead of sending Quentin away, he brushed his fingers against Cressida's cheek.
A moment later, Quentin stepped inside with Zenobia.
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