Figure it out

Jules was the first to snap out of the daze enveloping him. He stomped toward the woman and glared, "Lucy, I think you are mistaken."

"Perhaps I need to reiterate. This is your child whom you abandoned three years ago. He is here now. You can take him. I don't want him anymore."

Lucy shoved the little boy forward, and despite her confusion, Janice instinctively caught him before he could tumble onto the tiled floor.

"I have no child with you," Jules gritted his teeth.

He yanked her hand and dragged her toward the waiting room situated inside the cathedral. He noticed people were gathering; a few individuals took photos of him. He didn't want them to learn more than necessary. The last thing he needed was his son's celebration to be marred by a fling he had years ago, a one-night stand he had conveniently forgotten until today.

He had often been stalked by her before, prompting him to delete her contact and block her. Consequently, he had lost all contact with her until now.

"This can't be happening," Janice mumbled, swirling around and glaring at one of the persistent paparazzi tailing her while she followed Jules. As soon as Jules stepped indoors, he shoved Lucy into a chair, his grey eyes blazing.

"What do you mean by him being my child? Yes, we had a fling, but I don't recall you telling me you were pregnant!" He slammed his hand on his desk, and she flinched, as did Janice.

"Well, I might have omitted that. Besides, how could I? You blocked me and filed a restraining order! I am here now. I don't think it matters if I told you or not." Lucy shrugged, unfazed by the unfolding situation. Instead, she appeared delighted to be potentially creating a scandal within the royal family. She had observed their happiness while burdening herself with a child she didn't desire. Bringing him to the palace and then leaving him there seemed like the best solution until she stumbled upon the ongoing event.

"Don't put the blame on me," Lucy continued. "You didn't give me a chance to tell you."

"That is not my child!" Jules said, his teeth clenched. "So, take the bastard to whoever fathered him!"

"Enough!" Lucy sprang to her feet, glaring at Jules. "Even though I didn't want to be burdened with someone like him, stop calling him a bastard! He is your son, and you can carry out a DNA test to confirm that."

Janice didn't think a DNA test was necessary. She believed Lucy. The child undeniably resembled Jules. She even suspected that the paparazzi had connected the dots and snapped pictures for a juicy headline.

However, what she didn't understand was why Lucy had concealed the truth from him and why Jules had kept it hidden from her as well. Although he claimed to be unaware of Lucy having a child after their fling, Janice couldn't help but feel furious with him.

Despite the burning anger inside her, she stared at Lucy. "What do you want from us now?"

"I have no business with you. The person I have business with is in front of me," Lucy retorted rudely.

"You shouldn't talk to my wife in that manner!" Jules stepped forward as if to grab Lucy, but Janice stopped him.

"Her words don't affect me," Janice mumbled. "If she doesn't answer the question I'm about to ask, she won't just be thrown out of here. I'll make sure a restraining order is placed against her, and if she disobeys, the dungeon awaits her. And believe me; I won't hesitate to see it through."

Lucy straightened and puffed out her chest, glaring at Janice while folding her arms.

"What do you want from us? Money? Child support? What?" Janice asked again.

A coy smile played on Lucy's lips as she tilted her head as if pondering between the options Janice had listed.

"I might be a little broke. I think I need some money," she said, then added, "I don't want him. That's why he's here. I couldn't care less about any child, and I only had him because he refused to be terminated." Lucy wrinkled her nose, twisting her lips in disgust.

Janice clenched her hands before letting out a breath. She knew that Lucy's motive for creating a scandal was likely about money.

Similar to what John, her ex, had done. He hadn't loved her, but he had blackmailed her for money. However, now, it wasn't pure blackmail. The child was Jules's, and Janice simply wanted Lucy out of her sight. She didn't mind giving her what she desired.

"Very well," Janice said after glancing at the figures Lucy had written on the paper provided. "I will transfer it to your account. I promise you that."

"You seem like a reasonable queen," Lucy noted. "I'll hold you to your promise and leave. If I don't see the money after today, don't expect me to comply with any of your ridiculous rules. I'll bring enough paparazzi here to create a scene."

Janice clenched her teeth, fighting the urge to yank Lucy's shoulder-length hair. She managed to restrain herself and shifted her gaze to the child instead.

Once Lucy departed, Jules spoke up. "What should we do with him?"

"He's yours. Figure it out yourself," Janice hissed, storming out of the room.

Jules shook his head, pinching the bridge of his nose, and exhaled deeply. He understood her anger, and he believed it was justified. However, he also recognized that it wasn't entirely his fault. He had been unaware of the child's existence as well. If he had known, he would have taken him in as an infant, not now.

He realized he couldn't undo what had transpired or the potential scandal that might follow. Despite his efforts to mitigate the headlines, the topic would likely circulate in Cherview for a while, at least until a fresh scandal took its place.

"What am I supposed to do with you now?" Jules mumbled, his gaze fixed on the little boy who stood near the bookshelf, seemingly unfazed by the fact that his mother had left him behind.