Chapter 939 The Illegitimate Child
Upstairs, Liam sat in a daze for a long time.
The impact of Marcus's words was overwhelming. He was deeply shaken, but if he helped Marcus, Mabel would be very upset, and even his grandparents would be disappointed in him.
Although he often felt they were unfair to him and had his grievances, he had to admit that Joseph was more capable than him.
But he didn't want to be forever under Joseph's shadow. In Joseph's eyes, he was someone to be dispatched at will, someone who could be told to leave whenever.
As he was struggling with his pain and conflict, Sophia suddenly called him.
She asked, "Dad, why haven't you come to pick me up? Many kids have already been picked up."
He snapped back to reality and realized it was almost five o'clock. "Okay, I'll be there right away."
On the way, he received another call from Hailey Chamberlain.
By the time he arrived at the daycare, it was already half past five. Sophia pouted as she got into his car.
"Liam, Mommy still hasn't contacted me. Where did Joseph take her? Will I never see Mommy again? I miss her so much." As she spoke, Sophia was about to cry.
"No, Joseph must have taken your mom somewhere for a romantic getaway." Liam couldn't help but speculate. "Maybe when they come back, your mom might have a new brother or sister for you."
"That's impossible," Sophia said, shocked. "My mommy is already married to Uncle Foster. If she has another child with Joseph, that wouldn't be right."
Liam cleared his throat. Of course, that wouldn't be right, but knowing Joseph, he might do something like that.
"Anyway, don't worry. Joseph loves your mom and won't hurt her," he said.
Sophia finally felt relieved. "Liam, where are we going? This doesn't seem like the way back to the Hernandez house."
"We're going to the Chamberlain family residence for dinner," Liam explained. "Your great-grandmother called me and wants us to join them for dinner."
"Oh, I don't want to go." Sophia immediately shook her head like a rattle. "I don't want to go. Please take me back to the Hernandez house first."
"Sophia, it's okay. They all think you're my daughter. The Chamberlain family is also your family," Liam coaxed her gently.
"No," Sophia pouted. "I feel like they don't like me. Every time I go there, they ignore me. Last time, it was clearly Phoebe Chamberlain who pushed me first, but great-grandma only scolded me and didn't criticize Phoebe at all. She even said the Hernandez family didn't raise me well and that I was ill-mannered."
Liam found it hard to believe. Phoebe was Marcus's cousin's daughter and often played for the Chamberlain family.
Logically, Sophia should be closer to the Chamberlain family, so why would his grandmother favor a relative's granddaughter over her?
"Sophia, maybe there's some misunderstanding," he asked.
"No misunderstanding. I even overheard Phoebe telling the other kids in the Chamberlain family not to play with me. They prefer to play with Scott Chamberlain and said I was annoying," Sophia said angrily. "They thought I couldn't hear, but I have good ears and heard everything."
"Who is Scott?" Liam questioned.
The more Liam listened, the more confused he became. There were so many relatives and servants' children in the Chamberlain family, but he had never heard of anyone named Scott.
"I don't know. I've never seen him." Sophia shook her head. "And every time I go to the Chamberlain family, great-grandma doesn't let me touch this or that. I can feel that they don't like me."
Liam felt increasingly uncomfortable as he listened. His anger wasn't towards Sophia but rather towards the Chamberlain family.
Although Sophia wasn't his biological daughter, she was his niece, and given her intelligence and cuteness, he was very fond of her. Hearing how his grandmother treated Sophia made him sad.
At the same time, Sophia's words were like a bucket of cold water poured over him. Strangely, over the years, the Chamberlain family had not treated him as well as his nephews or nieces, and now they were treating Sophia the same way.
Even though Marcus said that sixty percent of the Chamberlain family's shares would eventually be his, the family's attitude towards him and Sophia didn't show much affection.
Could Marcus have said that just to appease him? Thinking carefully, Marcus hadn't really cared for him over the years, nor had he shown any concern for Sophia, his granddaughter.
Would Marcus really give him the shares?
Liam had deep doubts, especially since Marcus was so secretive. Who knew if he might have other women or illegitimate children in the future?
Illegitimate children?
Right, who exactly was Scott? He had never heard of him.
The more he thought about it, the colder his heart grew.
"Sophia, can you do me a favor?" Liam asked softly. "You're so smart. When we get to the Chamberlain family residence, can you try to find out who Scott is from Phoebe? I'll treat you to chocolate tonight."
"Alright, for the sake of chocolate, I'll reluctantly do it." Sophia nodded reluctantly.
"But make sure the adults don't notice," Liam reminded.
"Okay, I know. It's a piece of cake. Phoebe's intelligence is no match for mine," Sophia said proudly.
When they arrived at the Chamberlain family residence, Liam went to chat with his grandparents while Sophia went to find Phoebe to play with. Phoebe was Ulysses Chamberlain's sister's granddaughter, and lived in a villa almost connected to theirs.
When Sophia went to find Phoebe, Phoebe looked annoyed at the sight of her.
"Why are you here again? I told you I don't like you and don't want to play with you," Phoebe said.
Sophia thought for a moment and, seeing no adults around, whispered, "But I'm so bored. Will you play with me for a while, Phoebe? Did you build this puzzle? It's amazing."
Phoebe, who was only four years old, was very pleased with the compliment. "Of course."
"Phoebe, why are you alone today? Where's... Scott?" Sophia asked casually.
"Scott has to go to school. He's in elementary school now," Phoebe said seriously as she worked on the puzzle.
"He's so impressive. I'm still in daycare," Sophia said. "But I've never seen him. Does he live nearby? Phoebe, you're so lucky to have a brother to play with. I'm all alone and so bored."
"Scott was here yesterday. He taught me how to do the puzzle," Phoebe said proudly. "Yes, he lives nearby."
"Is he a neighbor's child?" Sophia asked, pretending to be happy.
"No, he's Uncle Grandpa's child." Phoebe suddenly covered her mouth after saying that.
"What happened?" Sophia blinked innocently at her.
"It's all your fault." Phoebe glared at her angrily. "My mommy told me not to talk about this."
"Why can't you talk about it? What's wrong?" Sophia asked, looking puzzled.
"I don't know," Phoebe said, looking frustrated. "But my dad and mom told me that Scott is a secret."
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