Chapter 305
Chapter 305
Ever since receiving Catherine's orders, Nadia had been lurking outside the Harding estate. After learning that Sophia had been sent to Henry's newly built research facility for treatment, she changed into the uniform of a facility employee.
As soon as she reached the entrance, her path was blocked.
Two armed guards addressed her gruffly: "ID, please!"
The security level of this research facility had been personally emphasized by Henry. On the day the facility was completed, he had stressed to everyone: the security level here must be absolute—if Sophia got so much as a scratch or lost a single hair, everyone would be fired and replaced with people who could actually do their job.
Nadia nervously reached into her pocket and handed over the ID she had recently stolen.
Her heart was racing.
Despite Nadia's efforts to appear calm and natural, the two armed security guards still noticed something suspicious about her.
Upon taking her ID, they examined it carefully. Not only did they not return her credentials, but they also asked her to step forward for an iris scan.
Like DNA, each person's iris has unique patterns.
Nadia knew perfectly well that as an impostor, she would be exposed the moment her iris was scanned. To avoid immediate detection, she quickly snatched back her ID: "Sorry, I just remembered I have other business. I'll come back later!" She turned to leave.
After just one step, a hand clamped down on her shoulder. One of the guards pulled out handcuffs and restrained her. "We've been waiting for you! Come with us."
Although Nadia had disguised herself with makeup and a wig, genuinely resembling Sophia somewhat, she instinctively shrank back when they removed her wig.
Because... she knew exactly what awaited her.
At the Harding mansion, Henry stood before the black and white painting that had fallen to the floor, opening the manila envelope he found behind the frame. Inside was a paternity test report.
Looking at the date on the report, it had been conducted just days after Billy's birthday.
He recalled how Catherine had caused a scene at Billy's birthday party.
He had foolishly brought Isabella as his date.
Why would Catherine order this paternity test? Who were the subjects?
He removed the top sheet and specifically looked at the specimen section. To his shock, it clearly listed his name alongside Billy's.
A thought flashed through his mind, too quick to fully process before he flipped directly to the last page.
The conclusion section read: confirmed biological paternity relationship.
The man stood completely frozen, his eyes fixed on that single line, unable to move.
Richard noticed his son's stillness, his strange expression, and the way his eyes remained locked on the paper. "What's wrong?" he asked. Henry seemed not to hear. Richard walked over to see for himself.
When he saw the test results, he smacked his son hard on the back. "You idiot! Don't tell me you've believed all this time that Billy wasn't yours?"
Henry remained silent. Richard smacked him again: "Henry, listen to me: Billy looks exactly like you did as a child—he's clearly your son! Why else do you think William and I have loved Sophia so much?"
Both he and William had watched Henry grow up, and Billy was practically Henry's miniature duplicate. What was there to doubt?
Henry felt as if awakening from a long dream.
He had never imagined that this child, whom he had always believed had no blood relation to him, could actually be his own flesh and blood.
But thinking about that paternity test showing Billy was Sam's child, he became even more confused. If Billy was his son, how could he also be Sam's?
For now, he couldn't dwell on these questions. He immediately left, his gaze shifting from the report as he turned and walked into Maple Grove, looking at the small figure sleeping in the children's bedroom.
That tiny figure, once merely a passing presence in his life, someone he had never truly acknowledged.
But now that figure had become so important in his heart, so precious.
Looking at the sleeping child's face, Henry's eyes gradually moistened.
He understood: whatever confusion or frustration this child had brought him in the past no longer mattered. What mattered was that this was his child, the most precious existence in his life.
This was his and Sophia's child!
A smile touched the man's lips as he rested his head next to Billy's small one. He felt a happiness and fulfillment he had never experienced before. He knew his life would become more beautiful and complete because of this child's existence.
"Baby, I'm your daddy. Your real daddy!"
Regarding that night six years ago, Henry reviewed the information James had delivered. Among the staff on duty that evening, Sophia's name was clearly listed.
But because of William's death, he hadn't examined this file.
Which led to... only discovering this oversight now.
Back then, James had specifically sought out Thomas's mother, visiting her twice.
Mrs. Sanders finally shared some details. She had been far from the room, and with all hotel staff wearing identical uniforms, she could only tell the person was female but couldn't see her face.
James had then investigated the duty roster for that night.
He discovered over sixty staff had been on duty, but due to the time that had passed, many employees had transferred or left New York, their whereabouts unknown.
James had spent considerable time tracking them down. By the time he delivered the complete duty roster to Henry, they were in the midst of William's funeral arrangements. The file had been set aside, forgotten until now.
Today, Henry finally spotted Sophia's name among the female staff who had been working that night.
Combined with Billy's paternity test results, what was left to understand?
Six years ago, on that rainy night, he had gone to meet Isabella.
But the woman he'd spent the night with was Sophia.
Not Isabella!
And he had been deceived by Isabella all this time!
He had been so blind, fooled for so long!
Catherine and Isabella had conspired to deceive him for years—how could he possibly let them get away with it?