Chapter 504: Biological Son
That evening, Benjamin and Sophia brought Emilio to the White Manor.
At first, no one thought much of it, because at first glance, Emilio didn't look like he belonged to the White family.
But looking at Emilio more carefully, his features somehow bore an uncanny resemblance to the White family members.
Preston had already heard from Sophia that she wanted to set up a charity foundation specifically to care for those children.
After all, those children's suffering was directly related to the White family, so both emotionally and logically, the White family should take responsibility for them.
So when Sophia brought Emilio home, he didn't think much of it.
However, Emilio was really too delicate-looking. Emilio sat silently on the sofa with his lips pressed together, behaving really well.
Preston took a couple more looks at Emilio, and then he froze.
"This..."
Sophia and Benjamin exchanged glances, unable to help but smile. "Grandpa, do you think Emilio looks a bit familiar?"
Preston leaned in closer with his cane, trying to see more clearly.
This was Emilio's first time meeting Preston. Seeing him approach, Emilio's body immediately tensed up.
Emilio stared with wide, alert eyes, not blinking, but not daring to move either.
Preston realized his expression was too stern and had scared Emilio. He immediately softened his look.
"Don't be nervous, I don't eat children." Preston frowned in dissatisfaction and touched his own face.
Did he look that scary?
Why was Emilio so afraid of him?
Sophia patted Emilio's shoulder and said softly to comfort him, "Grandpa means no harm. He just usually looks pretty serious."
Emilio nodded obediently and called out, "Grandpa."
Sophia laughed softly and reminded him, "You should call him Great-grandpa."
"Wait, you've decided to adopt this child?" Preston's nerves immediately tensed up.
The incident with Lachlan had left a deep impact on him, and now he was basically on edge about everything.
Sophia shook her head and gave Benjamin a look.
Benjamin immediately understood and placed a paternity test in front of Preston.
"Grandpa, take a look at this first."
Preston didn't understand what was going on and picked up the paternity test to look at it.
When he saw what was written on it, he froze.
"Family relationship? What's going on? Did your father mess around with some woman?" Preston's hand gripping the cane tightened forcefully, and he immediately looked in Magnus's direction.
Magnus felt uncomfortable being stared at and quickly denied it. "It's not me."
He hadn't touched a woman in over ten years. Emilio was only seven or eight years old, so he definitely wasn't his child.
Sophia supported Preston's arm and helped him sit on the sofa.
"Grandpa, don't worry yet. We were shocked when we found out, too. There's only one possibility now."
Preston immediately understood what she meant. "Are you saying this child is Alaric's?"
Sophia shook her head hesitantly. "We're not sure yet. We'll only know after doing a paternity test. I already called Alaric before coming here."
As soon as she finished speaking, footsteps sounded from outside.
Then Alaric walked in from outside. "Sophia, why did you call me back so urgently? Did something happen?"
He didn't notice the little boy beside Sophia at all. His eyes were fixed on Sophia.
He knew Sophia well. If it wasn't something important, she definitely wouldn't have called him back.
Sophia immediately explained everything.
Ten minutes later, Alaric and Emilio sat facing each other.
What do you mean by his son?
When did he have a son?
And such a big son at that!
He simply couldn't believe it!
Emilio was also confused at this moment. He had never imagined he could actually find his biological father.
He had always thought he was abandoned.
But now, today, he had been completely led along by other people's actions - from being held by the face and examined by the beautiful woman, to going to the hospital for a paternity test.
Finally, Sophia directly brought him to the White Manor.
Now his biological father had appeared, but looking at this man's expression, he seemed to have no idea of his existence.
So... was he really an unwanted, unimportant child?
Emilio had been living in an orphanage all these years, which had made him mature early.
Although he didn't say anything, he actually understood everything in his heart.
Even if his biological father didn't know he existed, he was probably abandoned by his mother, right?
Either way, he was probably always unwanted.
Emilio's heart clenched hard, and he lowered his eyes in disappointment.
Alaric stared at him without blinking, his heart beating uncontrollably faster.
He cleared his throat and took the initiative to speak. "You're called Emilio?"
Emilio nodded shyly. "Yes."
Alaric took a deep breath and suddenly stood up from the sofa.
His sudden movement startled Emilio, who nervously moved closer to Sophia.
Emilio had suffered too much harm at the GeneCipher Society, and dodging had almost become a conditioned reflex for him.
Preston glared fiercely at Alaric. "Sit down! Where do you think you're going? Let me tell you, if this child is really yours, you need to take responsibility."
Alaric felt wronged.
He tried to defend himself. "Grandpa, we haven't confirmed it yet, have we? How do you know for certain he's my son?"
Preston was so angry that he picked up his cane to hit him. "Look carefully at this face - it looks exactly like yours! You still want to deny it!"
Alaric: "...Fine, let's just go do the paternity test first."
The whole group went back to the hospital in a big procession.
This time, even Preston insisted on going along.
About two hours later, the rush results came out. Alaric was the first to take the paternity test report.
When he saw what was written on it, he froze.
He... really was his biological son?
How come he had no memory of this at all?
Preston snorted coldly. "You can't deny it now, can you? Come clean - who is Emilio's mother!"
Alaric: "...I'd like to know too. Grandpa, you know me - I haven't even had a girlfriend all these years!"
Seven or eight years ago, he had been focused on studying medicine. Where would he have had time to date?
Besides Aurora and Hannah, there was no one else around him.
Preston pursed his lips with a look of disbelief. "No woman? Where did the child come from? Think carefully."
Alaric was helpless. He really couldn't remember.
Seeing that they really couldn't get anything out of him, Preston had to give up.
He crouched down and touched Emilio's head. "Poor child, these years must have been hard on you. From now on, you're not alone anymore. We're all your family."
Emilio's eyes immediately turned red. "Really?"
Preston nodded firmly. "Really."