Chapter 62
"Send it for a paternity test. Make it urgent." Walter handed the hair sample to Royce.
Royce glanced at Nora with mixed emotions, sighed, and left directly.
The clubhouse.
Nora returned to her work station, and soon after, Royce arrived.
Holding a test report from a professional testing agency.
"That fast?" Nora looked at Royce in surprise, feeling somewhat nervous.
Royce nodded. "Yes, results in three hours."
Nora's fingers felt numb as she reached out to take the report.
Her feelings were complicated. Nora wasn't quite sure what kind of result she wanted.
Opening the sealed envelope, Nora took a deep breath, pulled out the report, her breathing starting to tremble.
"Actually, whether the child is Mr. Wood's or not, Mr. Wood knows best in his heart," Royce said quietly.
Nora raised her hand to cover her mouth, biting down hard on her finger.
The test report showed that Walter was Samuel's biological father.
"It's him." Nora's voice was choked with emotion.
Royce nodded. "Ms. Nora Adams, if there's nothing else, I'll be going now."
Nora clutched the test report in her hand, curled up in a corner, trembling for a long time.
The man from that night really was Walter.
That made sense. Six years ago, Walter had been obsessed with having her.
But Nora couldn't feel happy at all.
She had spent five years in prison.
On the day of the trial, Walter had been there.
He clearly knew everything, yet still wanted to see her beg in the most despicable way.
Nora didn't consider this kind of obsessive possessiveness to be love.
"Got the test results?" Walter called Nora.
Nora answered. "Yes."
"About Samuel, I've already arranged for specialists to consult. I've also notified Jasper—he's taking the child there. Samuel's condition isn't serious. They're still discussing the best treatment plan." Walter's voice was lazy.
"Thank you."
"After the chamber of commerce dinner is over, I'll take you back to Emerald City to pick up the child?" Walter asked.
"No need. He's fine with Jasper," Nora refused.
It was only three years. She couldn't depend on anyone.
Otherwise, when Walter no longer wanted her, she wouldn't be able to live independently.
"Nora, come with me to a dinner tonight." Walter wasn't asking for Nora's consent.
This was an order.
"Okay." Nora had no right to refuse.
After hanging up, Nora's fingers trembled as she tore the paternity test report to shreds.
She bit her finger until it bled. The pain made Nora's whole body shake.
The scars from her suicide attempt in prison were still on her wrist. Countless times, she had wanted to end it all.
These people had no idea how much their actions had hurt her.
"Don't touch me, please."
"Let me go."
That night, no matter how much Nora begged, it was useless.
Just like in prison, when people bullied her, no matter how much she cried out, the guards wouldn't help her.
Not until she attempted suicide, lying covered in blood next to the toilet, did they finally take her to the hospital.
Emerald City, the Smith Villa.
"Mr. Smith, that kid isn't easy to fool, and Jasper is protecting him well. We've sent several people but couldn't lure him out," the assistant said with difficulty.
James threw the documents in his hand aside. "A whole group of you can't handle one child?"
"That kid is really smart. He's always holding his phone, calling the police at the drop of a hat. When the police hear it's a child, they take it extra seriously and patrol that area constantly." The assistant was impressed. They'd tried to trick Samuel away, but Samuel spotted them as kidnappers and called the police. His people had to run three blocks to escape the cops.
"Plus, that kid has an amazing memory. He sees you once and remembers. He led the police right to our people." For the first time, the assistant was nearly in tears dealing with a child.
"It's a waste this kid isn't in the military—his counter-surveillance skills are too strong."
The assistant was still complaining.
James's face looked terrible. "Still haven't found Nora?"
He had wanted to use Samuel to force Nora to come back obediently, but the little brat wouldn't take the bait.
The assistant took a call and quickly ran over. "Mr. Smith, we found Nora."
James stood up abruptly. "Where?"
"She went to Silverlight City."
"Does she think running to Silverlight City means I can't do anything to her?" James sneered.
"Mr. Smith, Nora is at Nightfall Clubhouse now. I heard, I heard she's with Mr. Wood's people, and Mr. Wood even personally delivered breakfast to her."
The assistant spoke carefully, knowing this news would make James explode.
Sure enough, James's anger was barely contained. "What did you say? Who?"
"Mr. Wood, Mr. Wood from Mountain Construction Group." The assistant said nervously.
Pushing the assistant aside, James took a deep breath. "Nora, you're really something! Fine, very good. Found yourself a backer. Really quite capable!"
Walter had his eye on Nora six years ago—James knew that well.
He just didn't expect Nora to be so cheap, going straight to Walter after getting out of prison.
"Does she think I can't touch her just because Walter's around?" James's voice was low. "Nightfall Clubhouse is where this chamber of commerce dinner is being held, right?"
"Yes." The assistant nodded quickly.
"I remember there were rumors about the Wood family and the second daughter of the Clark family, Pearl, possibly getting engaged. Pearl was pretty smug about it, looking down on everyone. Go tell Pearl that her future husband is in Nora's bed right now." James's eyes were deep, the veins on the back of his hand bulging.
Nora and Walter might have been involved six years ago!
He had been so good to Nora back then, treating her like a treasure, afraid she'd get hurt. And this is how she repaid him!
Silverlight City, hotel.
"Mr. Smith, we found out that Walter's assistant rushed a sample to the testing center today for a paternity test. The man involved in Nora's scandal was never exposed. There are only two possibilities: either Nora didn't dare say, or Nora didn't know."
The possibility that Nora didn't know the man was extremely slim, which left only the other possibility—the man's status and position were very high, beyond what she could provoke.
"Samuel is Walter's son?" Michael frowned, his expression not good.
"Looks like it." David shrugged. "This is really explosive news. The CEO of Mountain Construction Group cheating with the Smith family's James? Does this count as you two having a grudge?"
Michael rubbed his temples. "Shut up."
David covered his mouth, speaking quietly. "Mr. Smith, this woman Nora is smart. Walter is generous with women. She won't suffer."
Michael frowned. "If the child really is Walter's, why was she sentenced to five years for extortion back then? What was Walter doing?"
"I checked. Mr. Wood was at the trial." David didn't understand what Michael was getting at.
"Then back then, Nora wasn't willing." Michael stood up, his face darkening. "Walter doesn't deserve her."
Michael walked out, his expression grim.
Walter could let Nora and Samuel suffer for so many years while watching coldly from the sidelines—what did that mean? Just the games of someone high and mighty, wanting to wear down Nora's pride, waiting for Nora to come begging to him.
"Mr. Smith, where are you going?" David followed, looking confused.
"To the clubhouse." Michael's voice was low.
David trembled as he caught up. "Mr. Smith, are you going to compete with Mr. Wood for her?"