Chapter 409 Finding the Truth
Haley stood stoic, unmoved by Flora's lamentations, her gaze fixed on Mr. DeRoss. "Am I truly your daughter?" she asked, her voice steady despite the turmoil within.
Mr. DeRoss struggled to contain his simmering anger as he replied, "I made a vow to your mother to keep this buried, to carry it to my grave. But circumstances with Emily in so much trouble, I have no choice but to reveal it. After Haley's passing, I could have easily relinquished you to an orphanage, but I didn't. I raised you as my own until you came of age. I fulfilled my paternal duties; I carry no guilt..."
She cut him off, derisive. The words he uttered now solidified her belief that she was not of the DeRoss lineage; no father would speak thus to his child.
Yet she refused to be led astray by Mr. DeRoss's narrative.
"Why spare me from the orphanage? Was it because I held shares in the DeRoss Group?" she taunted.
A shadow passed over Mr. DeRoss's countenance. "But those shares are gone now. The DeRoss Group has changed hands. I am left with naught but Emily, my sole remaining daughter. Can't you find it in yourself to show mercy, to grant the DeRoss family respite?"
Haley furrowed her brow.
The affairs of the DeRoss Group had been distant to her, save for the knowledge of its impending financial downfall. Yet, in this critical juncture, someone was acquiring its shares.
"Emily saved Keith and Owen, and I raised you for eighteen years. Doesn't that stir any compassion within you?" Mr. DeRoss's voice, a blend of icy anger and pleading, pierced the air.
Haley met his gaze with steely resolve. "Emily's actions concern the Winstons, not me. Mr. Ye, your appeals should be directed toward the Winstons, particularly Ivan."
With that, she pushed open the glass door and strode into the company headquarters.
Behind her, Mr. DeRoss and Flora were left in despair.
Haley went to the conference room for a meeting. The agenda was a review of the past month and a plan for the upcoming one. But she was distracted, and her thoughts were elsewhere, so she decided to end the meeting early.
Once her tasks were organized, she headed toward the Martínez estate.
On weekdays, Mrs. Martínez was usually at home. As Haley approached, she found the yard bathed in sunlight, Mrs. Martínez engaged in conversation with a servant.
"Ah, Ms. Haley has graced us with her presence!" exclaimed the servant, pleasantly surprised. "Mrs. Winston was just mentioning you, Ms. Haley. Funny how that happens, isn't it?"
Haley smiled as she approached Mrs. Martínez. "How have you been, Mrs. Martínez?"
Taking her hand, Mrs. Martínez inquired, "What brings you here today, dear? Where are Todd and Angela? Why aren't they with you?"
"They're at preschool."
Haley's gaze lowered as she pondered her approach.
Mrs. Martínez sensed the gravity of the situation. "Whatever it is, Haley, you can confide in me."
"Today, I learned something about the past from a client," Haley began, her voice measured. "Over twenty years ago, the DeRoss family had nothing, while the Martínez family was firmly established in Cuenca. With such a disparity between our families, how could you consent to my mother marrying into poverty?"
Emotions flickered across Mrs. Martínez's face. "Your grandfather and I were against it for a long time. But your mother was adamant. What choice did we have? It wasn't until you were born prematurely, three months early, that the truth emerged. Your mother was already carrying you before they wed... it was a shotgun wedding..."
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