Chapter 265 The Illegitimate Daughter of Her Husband
The murmur of conversation seeped into Nora's consciousness. She was aware that she was the topic of discussion, but she remained unperturbed. Why waste energy on a futile argument with the ignorant? Those who chose to slander her would reap no benefits, and she, on the other hand, would lose nothing.
As the minutes ebbed away, the impending performance loomed closer. Aaron was yet to make an appearance. Nora cast a fleeting glance at her phone, a flicker of doubt creeping into her mind. Perhaps he wouldn't show up after all. As she was lost in her thoughts, a fresh wave of whispers washed over her from behind.
"Who's that striking man over there?" a voice whispered, the speaker's gaze riveted on a figure standing tall across the playground.
"Good Lord, those long legs! Could he be an international model?" another voice wondered aloud.
"Hold on, he looks familiar. Haven't I seen him somewhere before?"
Nora, unable to resist the curiosity piqued by the whispers, cast a glance backward. There, towering above the crowd, stood Aaron, his gaze sweeping the playground, unmistakably searching for her.
Nora studied him with a raised eyebrow. He was dressed in a crisp white shirt and black trousers, his demeanor exuding a sense of aloof elegance. His tall stature and elongated legs lent him the allure of a male model, a blend of abstemious charm and captivating appeal. It was a look that could easily stir the embers of infatuation.
Sensing her gaze, Aaron strode towards her with confident strides, taking a seat beside her.
"Am I late?" he inquired.
"No," Nora responded, shaking her head. "Did you manage to sort everything out at the office?"
"Mm," Aaron's voice was soft, "Even if I hadn't, I would have found a way to be here, wouldn't I?"
A smile tugged at the corners of Nora's lips.
The onlookers, who had been speculating about Aaron, were now openly staring, taken aback to realize he was there for Nora.
A shared thought echoed among them: This man exuded an aura of distinction, far from ordinary. Could he be the affluent patron behind Nora?
Suddenly, a bystander exclaimed, "I remember now, isn't that Aaron, the CEO of Gordon's Family Group? The one involved in that accident a while back?"
"Oh, so that's him! So when we talk about a wealthy patron, we mean him?" another deduced.
"I heard Aaron fell for a commoner, a doctor, and even ditched the movie star Suzy for her. Seems like the doctor is her!" someone added.
"Wow, this woman is really something."
While the crowd whispered among themselves, Aaron cast a chilling glance their way, silencing them instantly.
Nora remained serene and composed.
However, she could feel another pair of eyes boring into her. Lifting her gaze, she met the furious stare of Aaron's mother, Mary, glaring in their direction.
It appeared that Mary had also decided to attend the kindergarten event. What a coincidence to encounter her here.
"Thomas, your mother is here too," Nora murmured softly.
Aaron's brow furrowed slightly as he followed her gaze and indeed, spotted his own mother.
"I remember now," Aaron began, "my aunt—that's my mother's sister—her grandson is also attending this kindergarten. My mother must have come to watch him perform."
He was in the midst of explaining when his phone rang.
He glanced at it and noticed that it was a call from his mother.
Aaron didn't answer the call, but instead, dismissed it with a swift press of a button.
Nora noticed his subtle action and asked softly, "You're not going to take the call?"
"The show is about to start, let's watch the program," he replied.
Aaron reached out and took her hand, his expression calm, "What number is Samantha's performance?"
"I think she's the tenth, after their class comes out."
Nora responded, feeling the intensity of someone's gaze searing into her from not far away.
Without even looking, she knew that Mary's face must be contorting with displeasure.
Meanwhile, at the hotel.
The assistant handed Ebenezer the results of the DNA test he had just received.
But before Ebenezer could take it, Emma snatched the report from the assistant's hand.
Ebenezer's brow furrowed slightly, but he remained silent, waiting for Emma to open the report and reveal her reaction.
With a swift scan of the document, Emma's face turned grave.
Her last vestige of hope disintegrated.
Nora was indeed the illegitimate daughter of her husband!
"Ebenezer questioned, "Is she truly my daughter?"
The question was rhetorical - the expression on Emma's face was a clear indicator of the answer he was dreading.
Emma, her face a mask of grim resolution, extended a document towards him.
"You should meet her," she stated, her voice devoid of emotion.
Ebenezer scanned the report, a sigh of resignation echoing silently within him.
His joy at discovering another daughter was tainted with a myriad of conflicting feelings. This newfound child had not entered his life in the manner he would have preferred. Yet, he couldn't deny the surge of compassion he felt for her, an innocent caught in the crossfire of their compliEvellad lives.
"What do you intend to tell her when you meet?" Ebenezer inquired, his voice laced with concern.
"Whatever I choose to say, Ebenezer, is none of your concern," Emma retorted, her barely suppressed anger evident in her tone.
Ebenezer's brow furrowed in frustration, "Emma, Nora is my child, and it's my responsibility to ensure she knows her heritage."
Emma's gaze bore into him, her chest rising and falling with the intensity of her emotions.
"I've made it clear, Ebenezer, that I will handle this situation. You have other children, two sons and a daughter, not to mention an entire family to consider. Are you prepared to risk it all for her?"
Ebenezer's frown deepened, "But she is my child."
He was aware of the validity of Emma's argument, but Nora was his flesh and blood. Now that he was aware of her existence, he couldn't simply dismiss her.
"I understand," he conceded, "there's no need for constant reminders."
Emma's anger flared each time the term "daughter" was mentioned.
Taking a deep breath to compose herself, she assured him, "I promise, I'll find a way to integrate her into the Hamilton family."
Ebenezer chose to remain silent, opting to observe how his wife intended to navigate this predicament.
"Can you ascertain her current location?" Emma directed her question to Ebenezer's assistant.
The assistant responded promptly, "Mrs. Woodhouse, I've already checked. Miss Smith and her child are attending a kindergarten performance today."
"I see, I'll seek her out later," Emma replied, her face a mask of tension.
Just then, her cellphone chimed, indicating an incoming message.
She glanced at the screen, her eyes flickering with recognition. The message was from her eldest son's assistant.
The paternity test concerning Aaron and Nora's child had been tampered with.
That illegitimate girl, Nora, had luck on her side. Due to an error, she was now linked to the prestigious Gordon family. If Nora was recognized by the family, Suzy's spotlight would be stolen!
As she mulled over this revelation, her phone rang— it was Suzy.
Emma glanced at her husband, who was preparing to leave, and answered the call.
"Hello?"
"Mom, has the test result been revealed?" Suzy inquired.
"Yes."
"Is she Dad's daughter?"
"Yes."
Suzy took a moment to process this, then asked, "And the other child? Aaron won't discover that Nora's child is actually his, will he?"
"That won't happen," Emma responded, careful to keep her answer vague to avoid Ebenezer overhearing.
Suzy, however, understood the implication.
"The results were switched, weren't they?"
"Yes."
"Thank you, Mom."
Suzy exhaled, relief washing over her.
After a moment, she asked, "So, is Dad going to accept Nora as part of the family?"
Emma's tone hardened, "We'll discuss it when you return."
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