Chapter 384 The Real Child
A sharp, piercing "Get out!" came from behind the door, followed by silence.
The man's expression didn't change as he continued knocking.
"Mrs. Percy."
Elise frowned. What was wrong with Ralph today? Was he ignoring her orders now?
Her anger was burning hot, but the knocking outside persisted.
Suppressing her temper, Elise snapped, "Come in."
This better be urgent. If he was here to report on those incompetent subordinates again, Ralph could consider early retirement.
The person outside immediately pushed the door open upon hearing her voice.
Elise turned to glare, but her expression changed the moment she saw the man.
Her initial anger turned to confusion.
"Why are you here?"
The man's name was Royce. He looked to be in his early forties, with a scar near his eye that made him look quite menacing when silent.
"Mrs. Percy, Mr. Percy sent me back."
Five years ago, he had been involved in the car accident that killed Charles' child.
To prevent Charles from finding out, Elise had sent him to work for Zachary.
Now, Royce had returned without warning, which meant something had happened.
Elise's face darkened. "What happened?"
"Mr. Percy's child has been found."
Royce looked up at Elise's expression, but she didn't seem surprised. Instead, she looked indifferent.
"Is that all?"
"Mrs. Percy, aren't you concerned about your grandson?"
Royce asked, puzzled.
Elise's red lips parted slightly, a hint of impatience in her eyes.
"You think I didn't know? The child's mother ran off with him. Now Charles has the child, and you're just now telling me he's been found?"
Elise grew angrier as she spoke, picking up a nearby cup and throwing it at Royce's feet. "Useless! Get out!"
Royce stepped back in shock, then quickly explained, "Mrs. Percy, Mr. Percy's child is abroad with his mother. When did they return?"
"What?" Elise paused, thinking she had misheard.
"The child is with his mother?"
"Yes, after Mr. Percy's death was reported, the woman found out he was wealthy and came looking for him. Our people intercepted her before Charles could find out."
He then asked, "Mrs. Percy, you said the child is with Charles. What's going on?"
Elise was confused. If Zachary's child was still abroad, then who was the child with Charles?
Benjamin looked so much like Zachary, and the age matched. If he wasn't Zachary's child, whose was he?
Elise pursed her lips and extended her hand to Royce.
"Do you have a photo of the mother and child?"
Royce immediately pulled a photo from his pocket and respectfully handed it to Elise.
"Mrs. Percy, here's a photo I took before coming."
Elise took the photo.
In it, a woman and a young boy stood together.
The woman wasn't particularly beautiful but had a delicate appearance. She looked very tired, likely from too much stress.
Next to her stood a three or four-year-old boy with curly, yellowish hair and some freckles on his face. He stood timidly behind the woman.
If Benjamin resembled Zachary by fifty percent, this child resembled him by seventy percent.
But his eyes were too much like his mother's, making him look overly timid.
Elise unconsciously compared the two children, finding Benjamin more likable.
She looked at the photo and slowly spoke, "Are you sure he's Zachary's kid?"
"Yeah, we did a DNA test. I came back to ask what to do next. If we bring the kid back, Charles' spies..."
Before he could finish, Elise interrupted, pulling out a stack of photos from a drawer and tossing them on the table.
"Forget that for now. Find out who this kid is."
She rubbed her temples, feeling she had misunderstood something.
On one side was her real grandson, confirmed by DNA. On the other was Benjamin, whom Charles used to control her.
Royce glanced at the photos and immediately understood why Elise reacted the way she did.
How could there be another child who resembled Zachary so much?
But after examining the photo closely, he hesitated. "Mrs. Percy, this kid seems more like..."
"Charles," Elise finished, her eyes sharp.
"I initially thought they looked alike because they're brothers. But now, with two kids of similar age who look so alike, the one confirmed by DNA is my grandson. Who is the other?"
Benjamin looked so much like the Percy family. It couldn't be that Charles found him just to confuse her.
The room fell silent.
Royce, standing before Elise, suddenly spoke, "Mrs. Percy, there's another possibility."
"Speak."
"Judging by the kid's age and appearance, he might be the one from the car accident."
Elise's eyes widened.
"Are you joking? That kid died."
Was the miscarriage faked? But Charles' devastated state at the time couldn't have been an act.
If he had that kind of acting skill, he should be a movie star, not a CEO.
Royce scratched his head, feeling uncertain.
"But Mrs. Percy, I can't think of a more reasonable explanation."
Elise rolled her eyes, her tone impatient. "Then go find out. Guessing won't help."
"Yes, I'll get on it."
Royce bowed respectfully and turned to leave.
Elise watched his back and suddenly said, "If this kid is really Charles'..."
Her voice trailed off, her tone meaningful.
Royce paused, then said firmly, "I'll make sure Mrs. Percy has nothing to worry about."
His response pleased Elise, improving her mood slightly.
She sipped from a delicate teacup, her mind drifting to Diana.
If Benjamin was Charles' kid, where was Diana?
Late night at the Percy Mansion.
It wasn't quite summer yet, but the weather was already warm. Still, a light blanket was needed at night.
Diana had taken the sleeping pills Jacob prepared and was now in a deep sleep.
But for some reason, her sleep was restless.
In her dream, someone was kissing her.
The kisses felt real, landing on her hands, arms, and shoulders. Like drops of hot wax, they burned.
It was so hot. It shouldn't be this hot in late spring.
Diana murmured in her sleep but couldn't wake up.
'Is it a nightmare?' Diana wondered groggily.
She could clearly feel her limbs being restrained, her breathing labored. She had to open her mouth to take in more air.
But she couldn't move, as if a heavy stone was pressing down on her.
In her dream, Diana struggled symbolically for a while, found it useless, and concluded she was experiencing sleep paralysis.
She tried to ignore the strange sensations, her eyes moving as she decided to go back to sleep.
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