Chapter 657 Luna Is Taylor's Child 1
Samuel hung up the phone, his thoughts refusing to settle.
The night wind swept across the courtyard, tugging at the hem of his white robe and lifting strands of hair that had long since turned silver from worry.
He was no fool. Taylor would never make such a proposal without reason. She despised him, yet she was willing to become the legal co-parent of a child with him.
There was only one explanation: Luna's mother had returned to take her away.
Samuel had already looked into it. Luna was not Julian's child, but the daughter of Julian's late brother.
On a snowy winter night, Samuel lit a cigarette and stood in the cold, inhaling slowly. The more he thought about it, the more he realized Taylor's plan was a profitable deal.
If he became Luna's legal father for medical purposes and helped Taylor secure custody, she would owe him a debt too great to measure. His future wealth and influence would be secured.
And yet, the thought left a bitter taste in his mouth.
He had been married to Taylor for years. He knew her better than anyone. She would never lightly use the Montague family's resources. But now, for Luna, she was willing to use everything she had — even to work with him.
Samuel let out a hollow laugh.
Seven years of marriage meant less to her than three months with Julian.
By morning, the courtyard was buried in fresh snow. The staff had cleared a narrow path. Julian mentioned that Taylor had to leave early for the hospital.
As the servants worked, the ornate black gates swung open and a sleek black car rolled in, stopping in the courtyard.
The staff exchanged puzzled glances. Who would visit so early?
The door of the Rolls-Royce opened, and a man in his forties stepped out. He was Steven Shaw, Henry Montague's trusted aide and a senior executive at the Montague Group. He had been entrusted with many of Taylor and Avery's most important matters.
Steven was refined, well-spoken, and striking in appearance.
The staff at the Learmond Mansion held him in high regard. When asked his purpose, he smiled politely. "I'm here to see Ms. Montague. I spoke with her on the phone earlier — she should be awake by now."
His manners were impeccable, almost disarming.
"Please wait here. I'll inform her at once."
Half an hour later, Taylor met Steven in the small drawing room.
In both the Montague Group and in Henry's eyes, Steven held considerable standing. Taylor and Avery always greeted him respectfully as "Mr. Shaw."
Steven took a seat, studying her with a knowing smile. "Taylor, this is quite a move."
Taylor returned a faint smile.
The door opened quietly. A servant entered with the finest coffee for Steven, and a plate of pastries and warm milk for Taylor. "Mr. Learmond was in the gym earlier. He's gone upstairs to change and will be down shortly to join you."
With that, the servant left.
Her poise and courtesy left a good impression on Steven. He sipped his coffee and said, "You chose well this time. The people here treat you with respect, and Julian clearly values you. No wonder you're willing to go to such lengths for him."
Taylor's voice softened. "I'm doing it for Luna. That child is truly precious."
She could not imagine what would happen to Luna in Cressida's hands. No matter what it took — even working with Samuel — she would keep Luna safe.
She opened the brown envelope Steven had brought and pulled out a DNA test result.
[Luna: daughter of Samuel and Taylor.]
Taylor read the line over and over. She had discussed this with Julian the night before, expecting him to resist. But after only a moment's thought, he had simply pulled her into his arms, saying nothing, just stroking her hair and pressing her face against his chest.
In that moment, she knew they understood each other.
She did not want him to sacrifice himself for her because of Cressida. And Julian, for her sake, had set aside his pride. That kind of unspoken understanding was dangerous — and intoxicating.
Love, at its heart, was about putting the other person first.
Steven studied Taylor's calm expression, a tangle of emotions in his chest. Samuel was not a bad man; he had simply been played for a fool in recent years. If this matter could make them ordinary friends again, perhaps it would be for the best.
After a brief meeting with Julian, Steven excused himself.
Julian personally walked him to his car, treating him as one would a respected elder. Steven left with a sense of satisfaction.
The car disappeared down the snowy drive.
Julian stood in the white silence, a faint restlessness gnawing at him. He reached for his cigarettes — but the black gates opened again.
Two black vans rolled in, stopping beside him.
A driver stepped out and opened the rear door.
Cressida emerged first, a faint, knowing smile on her lips. "Julian, since you refuse to acknowledge me as your sister-in-law, I brought your parents with me. I imagine they've missed Luna after all these years. I thought we could have a little family reunion."
Julian knew instantly his parents had been coerced.
Sure enough, Kellan and Kennedy Learmond stepped out, their faces heavy with unspoken tension.
Julian offered them a small, reassuring smile before turning to Cressida, his voice cold, "My brother is gone. The Learmond family has nothing to do with you anymore. There will be no reunion. And for the record, Luna is not your child. She is not my brother's child either."
Cressida's smile only deepened.
"Julian, what kind of joke is that? If Luna isn't mine... then whose child is she?"