Chapter 400 The Investigation into Grace Yields Results
As events started veering off coursethe situation took an unexpected turn, Patricia decided to play her last card. She final move: she let her eyelids flutter shutclosed and collapsed into a feigned faint.
After all, Jeremy , ever the protector, caught her in time, ensuring she was there to catch her.
She wouldn't get hurt.
As expected.
Upon seeing her slump, Jeremy immediately scooped her up and safe in his arms. He swiftly carried her back to herhis room, laid her gently placing her on the bed, and callingsummoned the family doctor.
Brooke was so furious that, seething with anger, struggled to contain her heart began to ache.
fury, her breaths coming in sharp gasps. Kevin Koch quickly patted, in an attempt to soothe her, rubbed her back, trying to calm her down gently.
Grace, seeing right through the not fooled by Patricia's act, felt her teeth itch with annoyance, a spiteful flash insurge of irritation, her eyes. flashing with spite. She fetchedgrabbed a cupglass of water from the restroom and headed toward the bed, intending to splash itbathroom, intent on Patricia's facedousing Patricia, but Martin grabbed intervened, catching her wrist.
"What aredo you think you're doing?" he said.
Grace's face was flushed, her lower lip caught between her teeth in frustration.
"She's pretendingfaking it. I'm gonna just going to wake her up."
Martin's brow furrowed slightly, his face a picture of disappointment.
"Grace, I've always thought of you as a kind, considerate,compassionate and generous woman. Now, it seems my understanding of you wasn't quite complete. It seems I was mistaken."
Grace's lovely face paled, her eyes filled with panic.
"No, that'sGrace blanched, fear taking hold. "It's not it. Ilike that. I'm just don't want to see Jeremy's feelingsconcerned about Jeremy being manipulatedtaken advantage of."
The word "feelings" ignited Brooke's fury. She glared viciouslytemper flared at the mention of 'feelings,' her glare intensifying at Patricia, flames of rage burning brighter inanger radiating from her gaze.
"I get that you're protective of "Protecting Jeremy is one thing, but..." Martin spoke, removingsaid, taking the cup of waterglass from her grasp, "I don't like this extreme approach. "This isn't the right way."
Riley joinedchimed in, too,. "Martin's right. The Koch family has always conducted themselves with integrity. Let's not resortstoop to these petty tactics againsuch lows."
Even Jeremy, who was usually completely acquiescent to Grace, nodded in agreement, adding his voice, "My brother's right! Grace's corner, agreed. "Besides, Deborah isLaura's already hurt. Splashing water oninjured. Dousing her is just adding insult to injury."
Grace, fuming with anger, didn't dare to make another move, fearful of water would only hurt her."
Grace, though seething, held back, wary of further upsetting Martin and arousing everyone's suspicion within The Koch family.
She had no choice but to swallow her pride.
"I'm sorry,Begrudgingly, she backed down. "I apologize. I let my concern for Jeremy got the better of me. I lost my composure, but itcloud my judgment. It won't happen again."
Riley nodded without a hint of emotion, "Remember, you're nowas a Koch. Whatever you do bears the Koch family name, so don't do anything that could tarnish, your actions reflect on all of us," Riley said sternly. "Keep our reputation."
His stern demeanor was reminiscent of an elder lecturing a younger member of the family.
"Got it!"
Grace hardly dared to breathe.
Deep down, she felt a genuine fear ofname untarnished," Riley. He seemed meticulous and rigid, very serious by nature.
She didn't know much about Sebastian.
But with Jeremy, a little manipulation had him wrapped around reminded her fingersternly.
"Understood," Grace replied, barely above a whisper, acutely aware of Riley's intimidating presence.
Brooke stormed to the bedside, ready to forcefully drag, undeterred, approached Patricia, intent on dragging Patricia to her feet. Just as she reached out, Shane's voice cut through the tension.
Her hand had barely touched Patricia when Shane suddenly spoke up.
"Enough!"."
Brooke spun around to face Shane, her meticulously made-up face now twistedfeatures contorted with anger into something monstrous.
Shane's gaze fell on the unconsciousShane looked down at Patricia.
He , contemplating. While he suspected her act and knew she could be faking it.
And he knew that she should be thrownthrow her out.
But for some reason, he just couldn't bring himself, his conscience wouldn't allow him to be that cold-heartedharsh.
"Let's all gohead downstairs! Jeremy is twenty-seven; he's capable of making. Jeremy's an adult; he can make his own decisions. As elders, wechoices. We shouldn't interfere too muchoverstep."
After speaking, he turned and walked to the door, leaning on his cane.
Once Mr. Langley had spoken, no one else dared to stay; they all followed suit and left.
With that, Shane led the way out, his cane clicking against the floor. His authority was undeniable, and the room emptied in his wake.
Jeremy was stunned.
For twenty-seven years.
This was the first time he had received his grandfather's approval.
An, and an overwhelming joy engulfed him.
Soon, theThe doctor soon arrived, gaveconfirming Patricia a thorough examination, and confirmed she had indeed fainted from excessive blood loss. After prescribing some medicine, and prescribed medication to replenishaid her blood, the doctor leftrecovery.
Jeremy quickly instructed the kitchen to preparethen arranged for a well-nourishednourishing soup to be made, hoping to help Patricia regain her recoverstrength.
The group made their grand exitdeparted from the west wing, Grace trailing behind, her head bowed in silent submission.
Grace, head down and silent, followed behind, looking like a wronged young wife.
SeeingShane, noticing her like this, Shane tenderlystate, gently took her hand. "Grace, Grandpa understandsI know what's on your mind. Don't worry, as soon as her wounds healtroubling you. Once she's healed, I'll have her sent away. Nobody is going to breakensure she leaves. Nothing will come between you and Martin apart."
Grace swallowedsuppressed her discontent and nodded obediently, the perfect portrait of demureness.
"I understand! With her injured, it's indeed not . "I agree. It wouldn't be right to send her away now!"in her current condition."
Shane felt a swell of pride watchingadmired her response; Grace was always so dutifulshowed consideration and thoughtfulduty.
"Grandpa just got a Picasso sketch. Come and check it out with me, see if it's the real deal or a fake."
"I've acquired a sketch purportedly by Picasso," he said. "Join me in verifying its authenticity."
"Sure!"."
Grace nodded, gently steadiedsupported Shane, ands they both left the roomexited together.
Meanwhile, aBrooke, visibly upset Brooke, was usheredled away by Kevin Koch.
, while Ariel and Miles also excused themselves since they had other matters to attend totook their leave, citing prior engagements.
In the end, onlyOnly Riley, Sebastian, and Martin remained.
Riley patted Martin on the shoulder and whispered, "Grace might have stepped out of line earlieroverreacted, but she's my sister. Our aunt passed awaycousin. She lost her mom early, on and she grew upwas raised in an orphanage, alone and unsupported.. She mightmay lack in certain areassome respects, but please, be patient with her. Guide her when you can. Over time, , and she'll leave those old habits behindimprove."
He stood at a commanding six feet two inches Riley was as tall.
With the same height and imposing as Martin, similar striking looks, and equally powerful with a commanding presence, he was an impressive figure to behold.
"I know!"," Martin said.
"Thanks!" Riley gave him a grateful nod and then walked away.
Sebastian, followed Riley out without saying a word, followed Riley out.
Martin cast a long glance towardslingered, gazing at the west courtyard before returneating to his room. He pulled out his phone and dialedHe then called Alan.
"Nothing yet?"
There was a moment's hesitation before "Any updates?"
Alan paused, then admitted, "It's not that weI've found nothing,; it's that there's just nothing suspicious."
Martin raised an eyebrow.
Alan pressed on, ". Mama Scott, the guylady from the orphanage, has been there for years. I've checked all his history, hisscrutinized her background check is squeaky clean, and everything checks out."
Martin gave a sardonic tug of the lips.
Martin's response was a skeptical half-smile.
Alan continued, "That's not all. I also checked into Grace. She was indeed called Alice before; she was sent to the orphanage at the age of five. Shane found her earlier this year and changed her name to Grace. The orphanage has all the records and photos of Alice. I've verified it myself,; it's definitely the same girl, no question about it."
Martin's brow furrowed deeply, forming a tight 'V'.
. "Could I be looking at this all wrong?"
Why did he haveHe had a nagging feeling that there was more to the story?.
After a pause, Alan asked, "Should we keep digging?"
Martin, not one to give up easily, stated, "I need you to come over in person. There are some things I need you to handle."
"Right!. I'll be there shortly."
Alan was already in Country Y when he received Martin's command.
Without delay, he rushed to meetupmeet up at his directive.
Martin handed him a sealed leather folder, saying, "Here are hair samples from Grace, Shane, Riley, Kevin Koch, and Ariel. Take them to Country Z for a paternity test. Make sureEnsure you witness the testing process and report the results back to me."
Martin had investedHe made considerable effort to collect these samples over the past few days.
Nodding, Alan confirmed, "Got it!"," Alan said.
"Check in with Charles and the others too. Tell them I'm doing well. In time,, and I'll bring their mommy home in time, so they shouldn't worry about me. And if they miss me, they can always senddo a video call."
"Will do."
With that, Alan took his leave.
Martin moved to the window, lost in thought as he gazed outside.
He couldn't shake the feeling that he was overlooking something.
Bits and pieces that seemed significant lay scattered in his mind, yet he couldn't connect the fragmented clues.
Chapter401
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