Chapter 564: Howard and Claire's Relationship Fell Apart
The bodyguard sure as hell wasn't gonna lay a finger on Willian with Nolan right there; he just stood like a statue.
Sophia wasn't about to stir the pot either. She strutted over and plopped down right across from Cordelia, acting all high and mighty.
She just wanted to be on the same level as her.
Cordelia couldn't care less about Sophia's attitude. People who did shady stuff always got what was coming to them.
Sooner or later, Sophia's gonna crash and burn.
"Fiona, I've tried to meet you so many times, but you kept dodging me," Sophia started playing the victim card. "I felt this instant bond with you. Like, you could be my daughter. I've been searching for my real daughter, but I think someone's messing with my search. Someone took her away from me back then."
"Are you telling your story?" Fiona shot Sophia a look of pure disdain. "Did you accidentally spill your criminal history in it?"
Sophia was taken aback, frowned, and glared at Cordelia. "I have no idea what you've been filling these kids' heads with."
"The kids have their own minds; they can figure things out," Fiona snapped back at Sophia.
"You think by defending her, she'll be grateful? If you were my daughter, no matter how nice you are to her, she wouldn't treat you well," Sophia sneered.
Fiona shook her head at Sophia. "Do you always expect something in return for everything you do? Is it all about you?"
After a beat, Fiona added, "If I were your daughter, I'd be thankful I didn't grow up with you; otherwise, I'd be just like you."
Sophia was about to retort when Richard and Arnold walked in.
Honestly, the identification center rarely had visitors, and suddenly, all these good-looking people showed up.
Richard, tall and ex-military, had this natural charisma. In a suit, following Arnold, they looked like they were straight off a high-society runway.
The nurses couldn't help but stare; hot guys were always a sight.
Over here were Fiona and Nolan, a stunning woman and a handsome man, making the whole lounge look like a scene from a movie.
But the vibe was tense, like a showdown between major families.
Everyone kept quiet and watched.
"Arnold, Richard, you're here," Sophia said with a smile, getting up and trying to hug Arnold.
Arnold coldly dodged her.
"Arnold, let's sit over here and wait," Sophia tried to smooth things over.
Arnold ignored her and squeezed in next to Cordelia.
Willian's face twisted; why did he have to sit next to his wife?
So, Willian sulked over to sit next to Cordelia, but Fiona wouldn't budge.
Willian gestured to Fiona. "Move over."
"Nope." Fiona ignored him.
Willian angrily went back to his original seat.
Cordelia pointed to an empty seat nearby and looked at Arnold. "You go sit over there; I don't like being crowded."
This time, Fiona got up willingly and offered her seat to Arnold. "Mr. Sanders, you can sit here."
Arnold raised an eyebrow, clearly pleased, and sat down.
Cordelia couldn't do anything about Fiona and Arnold and went back to her magazine.
Arnold was the only one grinning like a Cheshire cat; everyone else looked like they were chewing on lemons.
"Mr. Cunningham, Miss Morris, your paternity test results are ready." After three long hours, the results were finally in.
Fiona shot a nervous glance at Nolan but kept her mouth shut.
Nolan stood up and grabbed the envelope. "We'll check this out at home."
Cordelia got up too, ready to bounce.
But Sophia jumped up to block them. "What? You're not gonna look at the results now?"
"None of your damn business," Fiona snapped.
Nolan pulled Fiona back. "Chill, don't let her get to you."
"Willian, you that scared? Too chicken to look at a paternity test? I just wanna know if Fiona's my daughter. At least I gave you a daughter," Sophia said, trying to guilt-trip Willian.
Willian ignored her. "We'll look at it at home."
"Willian, someone swapped my daughter too. Don't I deserve to know the truth? Haven't I been good to you all these years? If I hadn't been so disappointed in you, I would not leave." Sophia blocked Willian, trying to get him to cave.
Fiona couldn't take it anymore. She snatched the results from Nolan, ripped them open, and just stared, speechless.
Nolan took a deep breath, grabbed the results, put them back in the envelope, and handed them to Cordelia. "Mom, you hold onto these."
Cordelia nodded, took Fiona's hand, and got ready to leave.
"Cordelia, she's my daughter; she has my blood, and that's something you can't change," Sophia said, all smug.
"How can you be so sure she's your daughter without seeing the test results?" Cordelia asked.
Sophia's face twisted. "She must be my daughter. A mother knows her child at a glance."
"Really?" Cordelia stepped up, right in Sophia's face. "Sophia, I'm gonna settle everything between us, piece by piece."
Sophia clenched her fists and gritted her teeth. "Fine. I'll be waiting."
It wouldn't be that easy. Everyone who knew what went down back then was dead. The Reed family was practically extinct, and May, who knew the most, was also gone. What was there to fear?
Meanwhile, Howard was fuming on the Douglas family's couch, glaring at Daniel. "Where's your mom?"
Daniel shook his head. "I don't know."
"Hmph, really? You and your mom planning to off me and take everything?" Howard's face was twisted with anger.
"Dad, how can you say that?" Daniel was clueless about why Howard was so pissed and had called him and Lisa back.
"Dad, what's going on?" Lisa was just as confused.
"What's going on? Call your mom back! That ungrateful woman!" Howard smashed a cup on the table.
Lisa, scared out of her wits, quickly called Claire.
It took several tries before Claire picked up. "What's up?"
"Mom, where are you? Come back quick; Dad's losing it," Lisa whispered.
Claire was silent for a moment, not sounding scared or worried at all. "Alright, I know. I'll be back soon."
After hanging up, Lisa looked nervously at Daniel, still clueless about what was happening.
Daniel was just as puzzled.
Howard snorted. "Go get Annabelle."
Daniel was stunned. "Her."
Lisa was shocked too. "Annabelle's still here? Didn't Mom say she left?"
Howard didn't say a word.
Daniel got up and headed to the backyard warehouse.
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