Chapter 185 Henry Fights for Custody of Justin
Back in Boston at Patrick’s Family estate, Mr. Patrick Sr. had called Henry back from Silverlight City with numerous urgent calls.
"Did you personally arrange for Justin's paternity report?" the old man asked with a grave voice.
Henry frowned. It seemed that his grandfather knew. "Yes," he reluctantly answered.
"Jasmine doesn't have the capability to tamper with paternity tests, does she?" Mr. Patrick Sr. asked, his trust wavering not in Jasmine, but in his own grandson.
As for the paternity report provided by the Browns, he could easily dismiss it.
"She doesn’t have the means," Henry replied, shouldering all the responsibility himself. He was concerned about what his grandfather might do to Jasmine if he discovered that Justin wasn’t truly from the Patrick lineage.
"Tell me the truth, Henry, is the child yours?" Mr. Patrick Sr. pressed, looking for an honest answer.
Henry took a deep breath. "Grandfather, what I want is Jasmine."
Mr. Patrick Sr. furrowed his brows. "Jasmine is a clever girl. If her background was clean, I’d be very fond of Justin as well."
The preschool was required to send daily videos of Justin at school to the old man, and Justin's affectionate calls of "grandpa" won over Mr. Patrick Sr.'s heart.
As for Justin's true lineage, since there was a paternity test, the old man was willing to turn a blind eye.
"But don't forget who the Patrick family is, and what Jasmine's status is," the old man reminded Henry, cautioning him not to overlook the social standing and reputation of the Patrick family for the sake of a woman.
Henry remained silent, pausing for a moment before he uttered a word.
"Ethan's actions toward the Brown family have also tarnished the Patrick family's image. To go to such lengths over a woman, to the point of no return, is simply foolish," the old man said in a low voice, using Ethan's example as a warning to Henry.
Ethan wasn't his grandson; he had no control over him, but Henry was different. Henry had been raised under the old man's watchful eye since he was a boy, and if he disobeyed, the old man would certainly intervene.
"It may seem harmless to pursue a woman like Jasmine," the old man continued, his voice carrying a weight of experience, "but should her influence jeopardize the Patrick family's interests or the corporation's standing, I will be compelled to intervene." Each word bore the weight of years of wisdom, cautioning Henry against reckless pursuits that could tarnish their family's name.
"I'm going to fight for Justin's custody first," Henry declared to his grandfather.
He knew that this was the reason his grandfather called him home today. It was to reconfirm Justin's identity and then to take the boy back, raising him personally within the Patrick family—that was the old man's ultimate goal.
Regarding him and Jasmine...
While Justin remained in the picture, Henry refrained from making any significant advances toward Jasmine, and his grandfather chose to ignore the situation altogether.
Regarding official recognition, Henry reasoned that his grandfather's age meant he wouldn't be around to interfere for much longer. If Jasmine was patient enough to wait until after the old man's passing, the status she longed for was within Henry's capacity to grant.
Henry was confident that what he could presently offer Jasmine surpassed anything others could provide for her, something he believed was more than adequate for her needs.
"Good," the old man said, nodding, as he smiled and pulled out his cell phone to show a video of Justin solving math problems. "Look at that, you can tell he's got the Patrick family's genes. Smart and likable, eh?"
Henry took a deep breath, seeing that his grandfather genuinely adored Justin.
Now he was afraid... once the old man learned the truth, it would be hard for him to accept.
"Grandfather, I'll bring Justin back as soon as possible," Henry said as he stood up, glancing at the time. "Take care of yourself."
"Hmm, if the marriage with the Brown family is called off, I'll have to find you a new fiancée," the old man reminded Henry.
"There's no rush..." Henry furrowed his brow.
"I'm in a rush. How many years do you think I have left?" the old man said with a deep sigh, expressing his eagerness to see Henry settled down so he could then rest in peace.
Henry's throat was parched, and he bowed his head without retort.
...
Boston, Stellar Enterprises.
Upon Jasmine's arrival into the office, the air hummed with the lively chatter that permeated every corner of the company. It was evident that the topic du jour centered around Branson and his unexpected resignation maneuver. Speculations swirled like leaves caught in a tempest, suggesting his intent to rattle Ethan, the CEO. However, the twist in the tale came when Ethan, rather than resisting, swiftly accepted Branson's departure, leaving him floundering on the very ground he thought he had firm footing upon.
"Did you hear? Branson's holed up in a project team meeting right now. Looks like we're in for some drama today. He might just walk out with the whole crew to protest against the CEO."
Standing by the elevator, Jasmine listened to the office gossip unfold. It seemed that Branson was putting up his final struggle.
Suddenly, Daniel's voice came from behind her. "Jasmine."
Jasmine stiffened but didn't turn around, pretending not to hear.
Daniel’s brow furrowed as he followed Jasmine into the elevator, his tone crisp and authoritative as he directed the others, "Take the next one."
The other employees exchanged glances and prudently exited the elevator.
Jasmine, avoiding eye contact, also wanted to leave the elevator, not eager to be alone with Daniel.
But Daniel grasped her ID badge and yanked it in front of him. "Where do you think you're going?"
Jasmine remained silent, her body tense.
"Jasmine... I refuse to believe that you don't have any feelings for me," Daniel said, his voice deep.
She remained silent, afraid that speaking would reveal her true feelings.
"Jasmine, what about all those years we had together..." His voice was husky as he pulled her into an embrace.
With stiff fingers, Jasmine tried to wrestle free from Daniel's grip, her emotions spiraling. "Let... go of me..."
Daniel held on tight, hugging her firmly, voice choked with emotion. "Jasmine... I'm sorry."
Tears welled up in Jasmine's eyes as she struggled against him. If regrets were useful, murderers wouldn't face the death penalty.
"At the trial five years ago... I regretted it. Why did you plead guilty? Were you trying to get back at me?" Daniel had always wanted to ask Jasmine why she confessed.
He had only been mad at her and wanted to rile her up, but he never expected Jasmine to actually plead guilty. Her five years in prison felt like a deliberate jab at him...
"Daniel... I don't love you anymore." Jasmine's voice was hoarse.
From the tender beginnings of young love at fourteen to being sent to prison by his hands at twenty-one.
Seven years of affection had been reduced to ashes during the five years behind bars. Over the years, Daniel had bribed people in prison to torment her relentlessly, leaving her emotionally numb to the ordeal.
With each passing day, Jasmine found herself incapable of experiencing love. It was as if Daniel's betrayal had stripped her heart of its capacity to feel.
As Daniel's grip on Jasmine's hand slackened, his arms felt heavy, burdened by the weight of disappointment and frustration. His disbelief morphed into simmering anger as he demanded, "What right do you have not to love me..."
Jasmine couldn't comprehend Daniel's fury and didn't want to waste too much energy arguing with him.
She even felt disgusted that she had ever loved him.
"Speak up!" Daniel couldn't stand Jasmine's silence—it was like punching cotton, her lack of response driving him insane.
"Does Serena know?" Jasmine finally said, questioning Daniel.
He was asking her if she still loved him, leaving Jasmine to wonder if Serena was aware of Daniel's lingering feelings for her.
"Even if I still loved you, would you call off your engagement to Serena for me?" Jasmine asked with an ironic tone, pondering the futility of his inquiry. If he wouldn't, it seemed asking was merely a means to humiliate her.
Daniel froze for a moment, looking at Jasmine. "You still care, right? You care about me, so you care about my relationship with Serena... Jasmine, you owe Xueluo; I can't abandon her for you."
Jasmine took a deep breath, somewhat at a loss for words.
At that moment, the elevator door opened.
Ethan, looking grim, was standing outside the elevator, seemingly appearing out of nowhere.
Daniel had not pressed any floor button, remaining in the elevator with Jasmine.
Ethan stepped into the elevator, and as the doors were closing, he pulled Jasmine into his embrace. "Daniel, I've warned you, she's your sister-in-law."
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