Chapter 165 Fake Pregnancy
All those years of suffering and humiliation Emily'd endured couldn't be erased with a simple apology. Especially when she thought about how Carl had hurt her, how she'd been controlled by drugs, and Celeste was behind it all. Although Simon, as her father, might not have known the details, he'd never truly cared about her either. This made it impossible for her to feel any closeness toward him.
Simon walked in, stopping a few steps away from the bed, his voice heavy with guilt, "Emily, I'm sorry. I was foolish before, deceived by Celeste, and let you suffer so much. I've decided to divorce Celeste. I won't let her hurt you anymore."
He paused, then added hesitantly, "However, Celeste says she's pregnant with my child. But don't worry, I won't forgive her just because of the baby."
When Emily heard "pregnant," her brow furrowed, a flash of doubt crossing her eyes. How convenient that Celeste would claim pregnancy right when Simon wanted a divorce. The timing was too perfect.
But she didn't voice her suspicions, merely nodding coolly, "Your business is your own decision. If there's nothing else, please go. I'd like to rest."
Simon saw her cold attitude and felt a wave of disappointment. He opened his mouth to say something, but couldn't find the words, finally saying awkwardly, "Then rest well. I'll come see you another day."
With that, he turned and left the ward looking dejected.
Charles watched his retreating figure, then looked at Emily's thoughtful expression. "What is it? Think there's something off about Celeste's pregnancy?"
Emily nodded, "Yeah, the timing's too convenient. If she's really pregnant, why mention it only when Simon wants to divorce her? Given her personality, if she were pregnant, she would have been flaunting it long ago, not waiting until now."
Meanwhile, at the Johnson Villa, Clara lurked outside Celeste's bedroom door. Once the servants had gone, she quickly slipped inside, closing the door before asking urgently, "Mom, are you really pregnant? How come I didn't know?"
Celeste sat at her vanity, looking at herself in the mirror, her lips curving into a cold smile as she whispered, "If I were really pregnant, would I need to go through all this trouble with Simon?"
Clara was stunned, "Then why are you lying to Dad? What if he finds out?"
"We'll deal with that when it happens! Right now, Simon wants to divorce me. Without using a baby as leverage, we would have been thrown out of the Johnson Villa long ago! Only by claiming pregnancy can I get your grandmother's protection and prevent Simon from divorcing me easily."
She paused, then advised, "Clara, the most important thing now isn't this—it's that you need to solidify your connections with the Scott family and the Campbell family! Even though Charles exposed your impersonation of Emily to get close to the Campbell family, Daphne still doesn't know. You must find a way to cement your identity as Daphne's niece. Once you're connected to the Campbell family, even if our relationship with the Johnson family falls apart, we'll have backing!"
Clara hesitated and replied, "But Mom, Charles, and Dad both know I was impersonating her. What if Emily goes to the Campbell family and exposes me?"
Celeste said confidently, "If Emily really cared about the Campbell family connection, really valued that identity, she would have come to fight you for it long ago! But what has she done? She hasn't even set foot in the Johnson Manor, which shows she doesn't care at all! Just go ahead and try boldly. Once you're connected to the Campbell family, we'll have nothing to fear in Emerald City!"
Looking at Celeste's confident expression, Clara's hesitation gradually faded, ambition igniting in her eyes.
Yes, once she was connected to the Campbell family, she could become a true high society socialite and never have to worry about Emily again!
She immediately went upstairs to her bedroom, clutching the paternity test report in her hand, her fingertips nearly crumpling the paper. This report was created using Emily's hair that she'd stolen earlier, working with Daphne to produce the results.
Although the hair was fake, the test was real, so even if Daphne investigated, there would be no problems.
This was her confidence.
Now she would show this paternity report to Daphne.
——
"Come in." In the Scott family study, Daphne's voice carried its usual coolness. Looking up to see Clara, her brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. "What is it?"
Clara quickly handed over the test report, adopting an extremely humble posture, her tone carefully pleading, "Aunt Daphne, this is the paternity test between you and me. I know our reunion was dramatic, and people will surely misunderstand me, saying I'm not your relative. I was afraid you'd misunderstand too, so I rushed to get this done."
Daphne took the report, her eyes scanning the "confirmed genetic match" text, her fingers pausing on the paper.
She had never really liked Clara.
The ambition in her eyes was too obvious, completely unlike Scarlett. But this report was issued by Emerald City's most authoritative institution, looking completely authentic.
"I understand." Daphne placed the report on the desk, her tone neutral. Though reluctant, faced with the evidence, she could only reluctantly acknowledge their blood relationship.
After all, this was Scarlett's child; she couldn't very well refuse to acknowledge her.
Clara felt a surge of secret joy, though her face still showed grievance, "Thank you for believing me, Aunt Daphne. I knew you wouldn't misunderstand me."
Just then, Daphne's phone rang, the caller ID showing "Father."
She quickly answered, her tone immediately becoming more respectful, "Dad, you called?"
Beau's steady voice came through the phone, loud enough for Clara to hear nearby, "Daphne, I know about Clara's situation. Since the test results are out, let's hold a recognition ceremony tomorrow night at Emerald City Golden Ember Hotel. Invite everyone from our circle to publicly acknowledge her identity and officially welcome her into the Campbell family."
Daphne was stunned, quickly saying, "Dad, isn't this too rushed? Clara just joined the Campbell family, she's not ready yet..."
She really found it embarrassing—Clara's upbringing would be exposed the moment she was compared to other socialites in Emerald City, and public recognition would only invite gossip about the Campbell family.
"She's Campbell family blood. Whether we acknowledge her early or late makes no difference." Beau Campbell's tone brooked no argument. "It's decided. Make the arrangements quickly. Don't let outsiders think the Campbell family won't even acknowledge our own kid."
After hanging up, Daphne sighed helplessly and looked at Clara, "There's a recognition ceremony tomorrow night at Emerald City Golden Ember Hotel. Go home and prepare well. Dress appropriately and don't embarrass the Campbell family and the Scott family."
Clara's eyes immediately lit up, excitement making her voice tremble, "Thank you, Aunt Daphne! I'll prepare well and definitely won't embarrass you!"
Inside, she was overjoyed. Once the recognition ceremony was held, she would be a legitimate member of the Camobell family, and all of Emerald City's high society would have to respect her!
Charles would surely see her in a new light, too.