Chapter 402 Focus
A farce of a press conference that afternoon thrust Ethan and Ashley into the spotlight.
#How Do You Feel About Ethan Not Being A True Yates Bloodline? Nobleman Turned Illegitimate Overnight?
#Confirmed: Ashley is NOT Actually a White Family Heiress!
These two headlines suddenly went viral.
Someone appeared to be manipulating the situation, releasing an audio recording online that instantly confirmed Ashley's false identity.
The recording contained Liam's confession: [I was so fond of Ashley, and somehow felt she was my long-lost sister. So I secretly had a fake DNA report made, claiming she was my sister who had been missing for years.]
After this recording was broadcast, it garnered massive attention.
At the Yates Mansion.
James approached Ethan with a phone displaying screens full of news stories. "Ethan, what's going on here? Why is everyone saying you're not my son?"
Ethan, Doris, and Liam had just finished dinner and had barely entered the Yates Mansion when they heard James's question.
As Ethan scrolled through the news, his expression immediately darkened.
"Who released these stories?" Ethan demanded coldly. "How dare they insult Ashley!"
He wasn't concerned about people's opinions of himself, but rather about whether Ashley would be affected by the public outcry.
James said, "Ethan, I'm not asking about Ashley. I'm asking about you. What's going on here?"
Ethan replied coldly, "Do you believe them, or do you believe me?"
James's eyes widened, and after thinking for a long while, he couldn't utter a word.
Ethan watched his emotions closely, noticing the guilt that flashed in James's eyes. He gave a self-deprecating smile, disappointment evident in his gaze.
"Since you don't trust me," Ethan said, "let's go for a DNA test tomorrow!"
He stared intently at James afterward.
Though his emotions had been affected initially, he had never doubted that he was James's son.
Yet now, the first person to waver was James himself!
After a moment of silence, James finally spoke, "Ethan, it's not that I don't trust you. It's just that the news is causing such an uproar. Let's go to the hospital tomorrow."
Ethan's gaze turned cold, his entire demeanor exuding tension.
He smiled and as he stepped past James, his eyes became distant and cold. His voice equally detached as he said, "Fine. We'll go to the hospital."
As Ethan walked past James, his face was filled with disappointment and grief.
Because of internet rumors, James had actually begun to doubt whether Ethan was his legitimate son.
As Ethan started up the stairs, he heard James say, "I'll schedule an appointment with the doctor. We'll go to the hospital first thing tomorrow for the test."
Ethan paused momentarily before continuing on in silence.
Moments later, a loud slamming door shook the entire mansion.
Back in the master bedroom, Ethan's tall figure cast a lonely shadow.
It took him a while to regain his composure.
His phone rang. It was Diannel calling.
"Hello," Ethan answered tiredly.
"Mr. Yates, it's terrible! You and Mrs. Yates are trending in the news!"
Ethan massaged his temple in frustration, "I've already seen it."
His voice became hoarse, concealing a hint of pain, "Have someone investigate what happened at the restaurant. I want to know who would be so bold!"
"Of course, Mr. Yates!"
The White Mansion
After reading the news, Landon threw his phone in anger. "Liam, look what you've done! You were so reckless—going as far as fabricating DNA results!"
Liam turned pale. He couldn't understand how his conversation with Ethan had ended up on the internet!
Though confused, Liam hung his head like a child who had made a mistake. "I'm sorry, Landon!"
Yara and Nora stood nearby, both wearing concerned expressions.
"Landon, I know I was wrong. You can punish me however you want!" Liam knelt on the ground and continued, "But I don't know who recorded my voice or why it was released at this particular moment. Don't you think it's all too coincidental? It's as if someone is deliberately trying to cause trouble!"
Landon narrowed his eyes, deep in thought.
What Liam said made sense. After a while, Landon finally spoke, "You made a mistake, and now you're making excuses?"
Liam kept his head down in silence, stubbornly biting his lower lip.
The atmosphere became tense.
Just then, they heard a car pulling up outside the mansion. The White brothers looked toward the sound.
Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, they saw Ethan rushing toward them.
Having also seen the news online, Ethan had hurried to the White residence.
"Ethan," Liam whispered.
Landon's expression turned strange.
After spending so much time with Ashley, they had come to regard her as their real sister, regardless of blood ties.
Seeing Liam kneeling, Ethan said, "Don't kneel. Get up."
As Liam was about to rise and Yara moved forward to help him, Landon sternly interjected, "Stay on your knees. I haven't decided your punishment yet!"
Liam remained kneeling.
Ethan sighed, "I know about what's online. I've already started working on PR damage control. As for who recorded our conversation, I've got people investigating that too."
After a pause, he added, "I came to the White residence to discuss Landon's thoughts about Ashley."
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