Chapter 364 I Didn't Mean to Deceive You
Stuart took Josephine back to Haustia Manor without wasting any time.
On the way, Josephine asked, "Do Grandpa and the others know?"
"Grandpa's been on my case non-stop, saying I was blind. Jeffery was a spitting image of me as a kid, and I didn't even catch on."
"Sorry," Josephine smiled, "I didn't mean to deceive you. It was just that at the time... I..."
"I get it," Stuart said, "I was so jealous back then. Jealous that you had a kid with someone else. How could I have noticed what Jeffery looked like?"
"Jeffery's a good kid," Josephine said, "He's been well-behaved since he was little, making things easy for me."
"You've done a great job raising him," Stuart said, "Thank you."
"Jeffery is my boy. It's my job and duty to raise him."
Stuart looked at her, "From now on, I'll raise him with you."
Josephine stayed silent, and Stuart didn't expect an immediate commitment from her. He had time and would earn her trust gradually.
"By the way, Laura told you about the Clarence Family, right?"
"Yeah," Stuart said, "Josephine, now that you're the eldest daughter of the Clarence Family, you won't look down on me, will you?"
"What eldest daughter?" Josephine said, "I'm still me, I won't change."
"How about we go home and celebrate?" Stuart said, "How are you going to tell Jeffery? Is it okay if I tell Grandpa and the others?"
"There's nothing to hide," Josephine said, "I'll just tell Jeffery."
Josephine had hoped that Todd and Esther would take a liking to Jeffery. They had always desired a son in their youth, and Jeffery was a boy, so she assumed they would be fond of him.
Who knew, she wasn't even their child, so they wouldn't like Jeffery even more. They didn't even want to see Jeffery.
Grandparents' love for their grandchildren was a unique warmth that parents couldn't replicate, and it was priceless. Josephine always felt indebted to Jeffery.Without a father's love, and even without the love of grandparents, she couldn't let Jeffery enjoy these things.
But ever since Jeffery went to Haustia Manor and stayed with Andrew, the grandfather and grandson were very happy every day.
Now that Elbert and his wife had returned, Jeffery was even more pampered.
Stuart brought Josephine back, and they were warmly welcomed by the whole family. Jeffery ran into her arms, looking up and calling her.
Jeffery was playing Sudoku with Elbert. Jeffery was very good at it, even better than Josephine. Elbert, being a researcher, excelled in math and science, and he and Jeffery enjoyed playing together.
"Are you happy here with Grandpa?" Josephine asked him.
"Yes! But I also miss Mommy!" Jeffery looked up at her, "Mommy, can I go home tonight?"
In Jeffery's mind, no matter how big the house was, without Josephine, it wasn't home.
Josephine hugged him, "Okay, let's go home tonight."
"Let's eat first," Stuart said, "Today we have something to celebrate for your mom."
Everyone looked over.
Josephine held Jeffery's hand and said, "I'll take Jeffery for a walk."
She took Jeffery to the yard.
Jeffery was very happy, "Mommy, what's the good news? Is it about your research?"
Josephine patted his head, "Jeffery, I never told you, but you should know, I don't have a great relationship with my folks."
Jeffery pursed his lips, "I know."
He had overheard Todd shouting at Josephine on the phone multiple times. It was so loud that he could make out the words.
"But actually, Mommy just found out that they aren't my real parents."
Jeffery's eyes widened, "Really? Then where are Mommy's real parents?"
Jeffery had never even met Todd and the others, so he had no feelings for them.
Josephine said, "Mommy met my brother and did a test. I am the child they lost. But I haven't met my mother yet. Maybe in the future, Jeffery can also meet your uncle and grandmother."
"Okay," Jeffery said, "If they like Mommy, I will like them. If not, then I don't want to see them!"
Josephine hugged him and kissed his cheek, "Thank you, baby!"
Inside the villa, Stuart also told the family about this.
Andrew, after being shocked, pointed at him and scolded, "If you had known this, why did you do what you did back then! Now Josephine is the child of the Clarence Family. If they find out about the grievances Josephine suffered and how she raised Jeffery alone, do you think they will forgive you?"
Elbert also said, "Stuart, I can't help you with this."
Stuart said, "I know, I'll handle it myself. If they want to hit or scold me, I'll take it."
"Hit or scold? Josephine probably won't even talk to you!" Andrew was furious, "I'm just afraid that by then, she will take Jeffery away and not let me see him!"
Carol reassured, "Don't lose hope. With Josephine's family supporting her now, it's a positive development."
As the family was talking, Josephine came back with Jeffery.
Andrew had the kitchen prepare a lot of delicious food, and Josephine also mentioned that she would take Jeffery home after dinner.
Andrew knew that she was going to meet the Clarence Family members next.
Knowing that Josephine was going to Serenity Cove Resort over the weekend, he asked, "How about letting Stuart go with you? If you take Jeffery alone, you won't be able to take care of everything, and he can help you."
"Do you have time?" Josephine asked Stuart.
Andrew almost wanted to hit Stuart with his cane, urging him to answer quickly.
Fortunately, Stuart didn't disappoint him and said, "Of course, I have time. I'll go with you."
So it was decided.
On the weekend, early in the morning, Gerald called.
Actually, he had been calling every day for the past few days to chat with Josephine. He talked about the family situation, so Josephine could get familiar with it in advance.
He longed to see Josephine daily, but he also worried about making her feel uneasy, so he could only stay connected via phone.
On the weekend morning, he called and said, "Are you all packed? Is Jeffery awake?"
"Yep, all set," Josephine chuckled, "See you soon."
"I've got a little something for Jeffery," Gerald mentioned, "Don't say no."
Josephine said, "We're all family, no need for formalities."
"No, I'm Jeffery's uncle," Gerald said, "He's my only nephew."
Josephine had to laugh, "Okay, thank you, Gerald."
Gerald felt warm inside, "Mom's health isn't good. If she gets emotional, please comfort her."
"Okay."
These past few days, Josephine had been quite anxious. Having only met Gerald, she was unsure about what the other family members were like and whether they were truly eager to meet her. Her mind couldn't help but spiral with overthinking.
Stuart came to pick her up and said, "Don't think too much. They've been looking for you for over twenty years; they must love you."
Soon they arrived at Serenity Cove Resort.
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