Chapter 581: Refused

Mia and Isabella both glanced up at Jasper as he finished talking. Mia, no longer in tears, just wanted to unravel the events from years ago, while Isabella was taken aback that Jasper was aware of part of the truth.

As Jasper recounted the happenings from over two decades ago, Mia was nearly nine months pregnant.

"Back then, your due date was just a little over a month away. But one day, my old man pulled me aside out of the blue and dropped the bomb that the baby you were carrying might be messed up. He even flashed me the doctor's report. When I laid eyes on that report, it felt like my whole world was crashing down."

As Jasper wrapped up his story, Isabella shot him a questioning look.

"Dad, didn't you take Mom for a check-up at the hospital? How come you bought into Grandpa's story so easily?"

Jasper shook his head ruefully.

"I was skeptical at first, but more scared 'cause I never thought my old man would lie to me. Later, I took Mia to other hospitals for tests, and then the doc whispered to me that the baby was indeed messed up. I was torn, not knowing how to deal with it. It was too late for anything at nine months."

Before Jasper could finish, Mia challenged him.

"How do I know this isn't some setup between you and your old man? When I was pregnant, I followed the doc's orders to a T, watching my diet and habits like a hawk, scared of making any slip-ups. How could a baby born under those conditions be messed up?"

Mia scoffed, her eyes blazing with anger and resentment, still not buying Jasper's story.

Jasper snorted, giving her a disapproving look.

"At this point, do I have any reason to lie to you?"

Jasper rattled the handcuffs on his wrist.

Mia stayed silent, while Isabella prodded Jasper to go on.

Jasper gathered his thoughts and continued, "My old man claimed he had a way to fix the baby's issue, but the pregnant woman had to be happy and relaxed emotionally. So, I whisked Mia away on a trip abroad. By the time her due date rolled around, we were holed up in a foreign hospital, ready for delivery."

"And then? What happened next?" Isabella asked as Jasper fell silent.

Jasper shrugged. "Do I need to spell it out? A nurse brought a baby to us, and that baby was you. I didn't see any issues, so I figured my old man's trick had worked."

Jasper trailed off, looking at Isabella.

"But now it seems it wasn't the trick that worked, but that he simply swapped babies."

Isabella furrowed her brow, lost in thought.

Mia, on the other hand, exploded, "Even if my child was messed up, so what? That's still my child. Who gave you the right to swap my child? You people are so selfish."

Jasper coldly chuckled at Mia's outburst.

"Are you forgetting everything when you say that? Even though Isabella isn't our biological kid, we didn't know that before. Think about what you did to her. What real mom would force her daughter into a loveless marriage or abduct her with strangers? If our child was truly messed up, would you show any motherly love then?"

Mia was left stunned by Jasper's taunting words, rendering her speechless. Isabella chose not to step in this time.

"Dad, ever heard of the Number 0 Serum?" Isabella suddenly inquired.

Jasper furrowed his brow slightly, a hint of confusion flickering across his eyes.

"What's that?"

Isabella locked eyes with Jasper, searching for any signs of guilt or panic. She found none; it seemed he genuinely had no clue, a reaction mirrored by Mia.

Realizing she wouldn't get any answers, Isabella turned to Jasper and questioned, "Why did you bring me here? What's your angle?"

Jasper's eyes gleamed with anticipation. "I know the public's turned against you. Your lineage is crucial. If you set me free and provide me with a fortune I couldn't spend in a lifetime, I'll publicly declare you as my flesh and blood."

Jasper's proposition was alluring. Despite Bianca's DNA test report, its authenticity remained in doubt. The crux was that no one would believe Isabella willingly collaborated with Bianca on the test.

If Jasper discredited the test report and produced a paternity test between him and Isabella, proving her as his biological offspring, Bianca would be humiliated.

"You're getting bolder. Your old man would flip in his grave if he knew you were tossing aside the family legacy," Mia jeered.

Isabella pursed her lips, feeling guilty as she touched her nose. She couldn't confess that she had desecrated Patrick's grave in search of a cure for the virus.

"I've lost the upper hand. It's best to take the money and live freely."

Jasper concluded, eyeing Isabella expectantly.

Certain Isabella wouldn't refuse such a tempting offer, Jasper was taken aback when she declined.

"I'll handle this on my own," Isabella stated calmly.

"Fine, I'll make the announcement now... What?!" Jasper's words trailed off as he realized Isabella had turned him down, his eyes widening in disbelief.

Mia, too, gazed at Isabella in bewilderment.

"Why'd you refuse, Isabella? Isn't this a win for you?" Mia asked, puzzled. Despite not being her biological child, Isabella had been raised by her for years, fostering a bond, especially after Mia's remorse for past mistakes rekindled her maternal instincts.

Isabella met Jasper's gaze and replied composedly, "I don't hold the family lineage in such high regard. Even without it, I can maintain all I have now."

With that, Isabella rose and strode out of the prison.

Jasper called after her, "Without the lineage, the family won't back you! Isabella, don't regret it! I'll sweeten the deal later!"

Unfazed, Isabella continued on her way, lost in her thoughts.

Upon reaching the company after leaving the prison, Isabella was taken aback to find Bianca waiting for her.