Chapter 490 Progress in Searching for their Son
Gavin shook his head.
Jeremy asked, "What’s that supposed to mean? You won't talk?"
Gavin shook his head again. "It’s not that I don’t want to talk; it's just that I truly have no idea who this person is."
Jeremy glanced at Shane, while Patricia and Martin exchanged a look.
Manda, sensing their skepticism, interjected, "He's being honest. Gavin has no clue. Isabella might have seemed soft and gentle on the outside, but she was incredibly private. Despite her marriage to Gavin, her heart belonged to someone from her past. Their marriage was nothing more than a charade, lacking even basic communication.
"Gavin couldn't possibly know Patricia's real father because Isabella entered the marriage out of obligation, not affection. She was grateful for his support during her pregnancy complications, but that was the extent of their relationship."
Having lived under the same roof as Manda for years, Patricia had become adept at discerning truth from lies in her statements.
Turning to Gavin, Patricia asked, "Was Grandpa aware of this?"
Gavin replied, "I once asked him, and he said he doesn’t know either. Your mother was very tight-lipped. She remained silent on the matter, even under severe pressure. Any mention of your biological father would only bring her to tears. Eventually, I got tired of asking and let it be."
Hearing this, Patricia felt a profound sense of weariness wash over her, compelling her to sink into the nearest couch.
The realization hit her hard: the man she had harbored resentment towards for over two decades wasn't her biological father after all. Instead, he was the one who had provided her and her mother with shelter and a sense of identity, sparing her the stigma of illegitimacy.
The irony wasn't lost on her, leaving Patricia torn between lingering resentment and a newfound sense of gratitude. Despite the lack of affection from Gavin, he had been a part of her life for years, offering her a semblance of family for over a decade. If not for the sudden connection with the Koch family, she would have been left an orphan.
Her mother was gone. Her father was a mystery.
It was laughable.
The situation left everyone, including Shane, in a state of shock. Stumbling back, he nearly lost his balance if not for Ariel's timely support.
Shane, overcome with emotion, pointed accusingly at Gavin, his voice, "You better be telling the truth, or there will be consequences."
Gavin, unshaken, stood his ground, "If doubts persist, Patricia and I can undergo a paternity test this instant. There's no familial tie between us."
Martin was puzzled, saying, "If there's no genetic link, how on earth did the bone marrow transplant match?"
"It was merely a stroke of luck," Gavin explained. "Unrelated individuals can be matches for bone marrow transplants; it's not unheard of."
With Gavin's explanation, the group fell into a contemplative silence.
Shane, leading the way, signaled a quiet retreat from the confrontation. The thought of a paternity test was dismissed; Gavin's word was taken at face value.
The journey back to the hotel was enveloped in a heavy silence, with Patricia and Martin trailing behind Shane.
After a while, Shane finally broke the silence. "Since Gavin isn't your biological father, Patricia, why not adopt our family name? Become a Koch, like your mother and me."
The offer was the culmination of Shane's internal deliberations throughout their encounter.
In light of Patricia's loss—first her mother and now the man she thought was her father—it felt only right for Shane to extend the familial warmth and security she desperately needed.
Patricia firmly shook her head, her resolve clear. "That's alright, Grandpa. Your offer means the world to me, but I can't change my name. Gavin might not have been the kindest, and he isn't my biological father, but my other grandpa has always showered me with love. It's his name I carry, not Gavin's."
She braced herself for a possible outburst from Shane. However, to her surprise, Shane's reaction was tender. He took her hand, his touch gentle, his eyes misting over. "My dear child, you possess your mother's compassionate heart and her spirit of gratitude."
"Grandpa, you're not upset with me, are you?" Patricia asked, her voice laced with concern.
Shane's face softened, a smile breaking through. "Upset? How could I be, with you showing such wisdom? You don't have to change your name. Regardless, you'll always be my granddaughter, Patricia Koch."
Overwhelmed, Patricia leaned in for a hug, tears streaming down her face as Shane's love enveloped her.
Shane comforted her, patting her back gently. "If that man doesn't want you and your mom, then he's the one missing out. You're a Koch in my heart, and that's all that matters."
Patricia nodded, her heart heavy yet warmed by Shane's acceptance. "I understand, Grandpa. I don't need him."
Releasing her from the embrace, Shane caressed her cheek fondly. After spending a week in Ivara City, he needed to return to tackle a pressing issue within the Koch family. The betrayal within their ranks demanded his immediate attention.
Upon his return, Shane never revisited the topic of Patricia's biological father, as if the matter had been conclusively resolved. Patricia, following his lead, acted as though her father had long passed away, embracing the tranquility of her new normal.
One day, as Martin played with Maria and Patricia busied herself in the kitchen, the serene routine was interrupted by a phone call. Alan's name flashed on the caller ID.
After ensuring Maria was safe with Patricia, Martin retreated to his study to answer the call.
Alan's voice was urgent. "Boss, there's been a significant development with Hunter's essential oils!"
Martin leaned back in his study chair, listening intently as Alan explained, "At one o'clock this morning, Hunter urgently recalled a batch of essential oils that were about to hit the market. Our sources say they first launched overseas, serving international customers. After a good reception, they planned a full launch in the States a month later.
"Unexpectedly, they received numerous complaints from overseas customers en route to the shelves. People who used the oils long-term were experiencing thinner skin, visible red veins, and allergic reactions. Some of the severe cases even included skin ulceration. However, Hunter has managed to keep this under wraps for now, covertly recalling the product and replacing it with a milder version."
Martin's lean fingers drummed on the desk.
Alan continued, "If this gets out, it could do significant damage to the Sackler Group's reputation. Their best-case scenario is that it'll affect their profits and stock prices only temporarily."
Martin furrowed his brows in contemplation for a moment. "Collect all the evidence you can, including any correspondence with the victim and wire transfer records. If we're going to take action, let's make sure it has an impact. We'll hit them so hard they'll never recover."
Alan got the message and hung up the phone.
Martin was about to leave when his phone rang once more. It was Alan, again.
Settling back into his office chair, Martin picked up. "Now what?"
Alan was out of breath as he said, "We found Dr. Isabella!"
Martin stood up at once. "You've traced her? Where is she now?"
After such a lengthy search, they had finally located the doctor who delivered Patricia's babies.
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