Chapter 247
Alicia snorted coldly. "This identification was done by the Percy family's medical team. From start to finish, no outsiders were involved. How could it possibly be fake!"
The report in my hands felt like a red-hot branding iron, burning so intensely that I trembled and could barely hold on. "No. I don't believe it."
That child had miscarried four years ago. He couldn't possibly have come back to life four years later.
Something about this had to be wrong.
"Whether you believe it or not makes no difference." Alicia's tone turned forceful. "I didn't call you here to explain. I called to notify you to know when to stop. Don't wait until our two families tear each other apart before you feel regret!"
I looked up sharply at her. "How can you guarantee no one tampered with this report?"
"The Percy family itself is the best guarantee." Alicia's tone was absolute. "This report has already been delivered to Leopold. I trust he'll make his own judgment."
"Lucinda, this is my final warning to you. Don't think Leopold's feelings for you give you carte blanche. If you want to marry him, you must accept this child. Otherwise, don't even think about stepping through the Percy family's door!"
My chest heaved violently as pain seeped through my bloodstream into my very bones.
I hadn't expected this day would still come.
"And if I refuse?"
Alicia's gaze turned suddenly sharp. "Then I'll stake this old life of mine to block you from entering!"
Those words cut like a blade through my already fracturing heart.
My body trembled uncontrollably. My hand fell limply, the report dropping to the floor.
"Mrs. Alicia Percy, let me tell you with certainty—I cannot accept this child."
Alicia lowered her head to adjust her shawl, then said mockingly, "Then you'll never set foot through the Percy family's door in this lifetime!"
I took a deep breath, suppressing the fury and anguish in my heart. "Since we cannot reach agreement, I'll be leaving now."
With that, I turned and walked out.
Alicia was livid, shouting after me, "How rude! I haven't dismissed you yet, and you're already leaving. Do you have any respect for your elders!"
I heard her rebuke but said nothing.
When perspectives clash, even half a sentence is too much.
Right now, I desperately needed to see Leopold and hear him tell me himself.
Just as I reached the hospital entrance, I looked up to see Sophia walking toward me, holding the little boy's hand.
She was looking down, speaking to him patiently.
"Sweetheart, when you see Mrs. Alicia Percy, you must greet her. Don't stay silent. Grandmother likes obedient, sweet-talking children, understand?"
The little boy nodded, his voice soft and agreeable. "Okay, Mommy."
That crisp, childish voice felt like an invisible hand squeezing my heart.
If only my child hadn't been deformed—how wonderful that would have been.
"Lucinda." Sophia stopped me, then asked with a half-smile, "Are you here to see Mrs. Alicia Percy too?"
I didn't answer her. My gaze fell on the little boy's face, which looked so much like Leopold's.
My heart stung again. "Sophia, is this child really yours?"
Before Sophia could answer, the little boy hugged her first, looking at me timidly. "Why would you say that? I am Mommy's child. I'm the best baby in the whole world."
"Lucinda, Orion is only three years old. How can you say such vicious things to him!" Sophia scolded me disapprovingly, then turned to comfort him. "Orion, sweetie, she only said that to upset you. Don't take it to heart."
Upon hearing this, Orion's large eyes immediately brimmed with tears.
"I'm good. Please don't upset me. I'll be even more obedient and filial from now on. Please don't say things that make me and Mommy sad."
His choked, childish voice instantly drew the attention of passersby resting in the nearby garden.
Those people slowly gathered around to see what was happening.
I immediately understood Sophia's calculation. "Sophia, you deliberately led the child on. Isn't that vicious?"
Sophia gave me a mocking glance, then crouched down to embrace Orion, speaking helplessly and vulnerably. "Lucinda, I only came because I heard Mrs. Alicia Percy's condition had worsened, and she wanted to see Orion. That's why I brought him to visit."
"I don't know what I said to offend you, but you actually told my child in front of him that he's not mine, and called me vicious. Whatever grievances you have, take them out on me. Don't hurt my child."
Orion also started crying. "Miss, if I didn't greet you right away, that's my fault. Please don't blame Mommy, okay?"
The mother and son's two-faced act was identical.
I found it disgusting and grew even more suspicious that this child wasn't Sophia's. "Sophia, you've used the same tricks many times already. Do you think I'll still fall for your manipulation?"
Sophia's eyes flickered. She held Orion tightly and stared straight at me.
I pointed upward. "This is a hospital. There are surveillance cameras everywhere. Whether you deliberately twisted my words or I actually said something inappropriate—just check the footage and we'll know."
"Or would you prefer I call the police? We can pick up where last night's performance left off."
Sophia's expression changed sharply. "You—"
I raised an eyebrow slightly. "I what?"
Realizing her mistake, Sophia quickly backtracked. "I don't know what you're talking about. But can you please stop slandering me in front of my child? Just leave us mother and son alone."
A passerby couldn't stand it anymore and interjected.
"This child is so sensible. Only three years old and he knows not to visit someone sick empty-handed. He's even carrying a little flower basket."
"Right. Being sick is already difficult enough. If the elder wants to see the younger generation, just agree. It might even help her recover faster."
"Exactly. The hospital isn't a prison. Family warmth heals the heart. Look, the child's eyes are already red. If you keep blocking him, he'll cry from feeling wronged."
Everyone chimed in, one after another, as if I were the most despicable person here.
Sophia's expression grew increasingly aggrieved. Under the guise of wiping her eyes, she shot me a provocative smile.
I found it laughable and turned to address everyone. "I'm not stopping them. If they want to visit an elder, they can go anytime. But they won't. What can I do about it?"
Sophia looked even more wronged. "Lucinda, if you hadn't told my son he wasn't my child, I wouldn't have—"
I cut her off directly. "Just because I said it doesn't make it true, does it?"
Sophia choked on her words.
I sneered. "Besides, everyone says sons resemble their mothers. Your son doesn't look like you at all. How does asking about that make me a rumor-monger?"
"You—"
Sophia tried to argue back, but someone exclaimed in surprise first. "Now that you mention it, they really don't look alike."
"Wait, this child looks like someone else." Another person pointed at Orion, thought for a long while, then suddenly slapped their forehead and told the others, "Look closely—doesn't he look like the CEO of the Percy Group?"
Sophia's expression shifted. She immediately hid Orion in her arms.
Watching her reaction, I took a few steps forward and stopped in front of her. "Leopold warned you not to take the child around spreading rumors. Guess what—if they really dig into this, what do you think will happen to you?"