Chapter 62
“Rush it, get a paternity test done, and make it snappy.” James handed the hair sample over to Bill.
Bill shot a complicated look at Kristin, let out a sigh, and took off without another word.
At the Nightlight Club, Kristin got back to her station, and soon enough, Bill showed up with the report from the professional testing agency in hand.
“That fast?” Kristin gaped at Bill, a tad nervous for a moment.
Bill nodded. “Yep, results in three hours.”
Kristin tingled her fingers as she reached for the report.
Inside, her feelings were a tangled mess. Kristin wasn’t sure what outcome she was hoping for. She tore open the sealed bag, took a deep breath, and pulled out the report, her breathing.
shaky.
“Truth be told, whether the kid is Mr. Bryce’s or not, he knows best himself,” Bill murmured.
Kristin clapped a hand over her mouth, biting hard on her finger…
The report confirmed that James was Summer’s biological father.
“It’s him.” Kristin choked out.
Bill nodded again. “Miss Kristin, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be on my way.”
Kristin clutched the report, curled up in a corner, and shivered for a long time.
The man that night was indeed James.
It made sense really. Six years ago, James was hell–bent on having her.
But the joy was the last thing Kristin felt.
She had been locked up for five long years.
On the day of the trial, James was there. He knew everything, yet he still lowly wanted to see her beg.
Kristin didn’t see this obsessive possessiveness as love.
“Got the test results?” James rang Kristin up.
She answered, “Yes.”
“I’ve had experts consult on Summer’s case and informed Garner to take the child for consultation. Summer’s condition isn’t critical. They’re discussing the best treatment options,” James said in a lazy drawl.
“Thank you.”
1/4
Chapter 62
“After the chamber of commerce dinner, how about I take you back to Silvergrove City and pick up the kid?” he asked.
“No need. He’s good with his uncle,” Kristin refused.
She couldn’t afford to rely on anyone. Otherwise, when James no longer needed her, she wouldn’t know how to hold her ground and stand on her own.
“Kristin, accompany me to a dinner tonight,” James commanded, not asking for consent.
“OK.” Kristin had no right to refuse.
After hanging up, her trembling fingers tore the paternity report into shreds.
Her finger bitten by herself, and the pain made her whole body quiver.
With scars of a suicide attempt from her time in prison still on her wrists, she had thought of ending it all countless times.
These people had no idea how much they’d hurt her.
“Don’t touch me, please. Let me go–
That night, no matter how much Kristin pleaded, it was in vain.
Just like in prison, where she was bullied, her cries were ignored by the guards until she attempted suicide, bloodied next to the toilet, then finally they took her to the hospital.
At the FitzGerald family in Silvergrove City.
“Vincent, that kid ain’t easy to fool, and Garner’s got a tight grip on him. I sent several folks and none could trick the kid,” the assistant said, troubled.
Vincent tossed the documents aside with frustration. “You can’t handle a kid?”
“That kid is sharp as a tack and clang to a busted phone to dial 911 at the drop of a hat. The cops take it real serious, patrolling that area non–stop,” the assistant was at his wits‘ end. They tried to snatch Summer away, but he would play the human trafficker card, causing his men to sprint three blocks to dodge the cops.
“And that kid’s got a memory like an elephant and directed the police right to our guys,” the assistant was driven to tears by a mere child.
“That little rascal’s wasting his talents not being in the military. He is too good at counter–surveillance,” the assistant kept grumbling.
Vincent darkened his face. “Still no word on Kristin?”
He wanted to use the kid to make Kristin come back obediently, but the kid wasn’t taking the bait.
The assistant answered a call, then hurried over. We’ve located Kristin.
Vincent shot up. “Where?”
2/4
11:
“She’s headed to Crescendo Town.”
“Does she really believe that if she flees to Crescendo Town, she’s beyond my reach? Vincent
scoffed.
Kristin’s at Nightlight Club, and they say Mr. Bryce even personally brought her breakfast,” the assistant delicately informed, knowing full well this would set Vincent off.
And it did. Vincent’s anger was barely contained. “You said what? Who?”
“James… Mr. Bryce from Aurora Tech,” the assistant said nervously.
Pushing the assistant aside. Vincent took a deep breath. “Heh Kristin’s really got some nerve! Alright, good for her, found herself a backer!”
Vincent was well aware that James had eyes for Kristin six years ago. But he hadn’t expected Kristin to be so low, running straight to James after getting out.
“She thinks having James as her protector makes her bulletproof?” Vincent’s voice rumbled. low. “Ain’t that ‘Nightshade Club‘ the joint for the chamber’s shindig this year?”
“Yes,” the assistant nodded quickly.
“I recall the Bryce family had some marriage talk with Adrienne of the Haywood family. She’s been strutting around like she owns the place. Go tell Adrienne, her future husband’s cozying up in Kristin’s bed right now,” Vincent’s eyes were deep, veins on the back of his hand standing.
out.
Kristin and James may have already gotten involved six years back!
Vincent was so sweet to Kristin back then, treating her like she was a delicate flower, scared that she might get even the slightest scratch. And this was how she repaid him!
At the hotel of Crescendo Town.
“Mr. FitzGerald, I got some information… Today, James‘ assistant rushed a sample to the paternity test center. It’s for a DNA test. The guy Kristin had the scandal with has never been revealed. There are only two possibilities. Either Kristin’s too scared to spill the beans, or she has no clue who the guy is.”
The chance that Kristin didn’t know the guy was slim to none, so the other possibility must be that the guy’s a big shot, someone she wouldn’t dare mess with.
“Is Summer James‘ kid?” Rhett frowned, not looking too hot.
“It’s true….” York shrugged. “This is some juicy gossip. The CEO of Aurora Tech stole the fiancee of Vincent from the FitzGerald family? Do you have beef or something?”
Rhett raised his hand to his forehead in frustration. “Zip it.”
York covered his mouth, whispering. “Mr. FitzGerald, we should just butt out. Kristin’s a smart cookie. James is known for being generous with the ladies, she’s not at a loss.”
11:4
Chapter 62
Rhett frowned. “If the kid is James‘, how come she got slapped with a five–year sentence for blackmail? What was James doing?”
“I checked. Mr. Bryce was at the trial,” York said, not quite catching Rhett’s drift.
“That means Kristin wasn’t doing it willingly back then.” Rhett stood up, his expression darkening. “James doesn’t deserve her.”
Rhett walked out, the air around him heavy with displeasure.
James let Kristin and Summer suffer for so many years, just watching from the sidelines. What did that mean? It’s just a power play by James who’s too high and mighty, trying to wear Kristin down, waiting for her to come crawling back to him.
“Mr. FitzGerald, where are you off to?” York followed, clearly confused.
“Going to the Nightlight Club,” Rhett said, his voice deep.
York scurried after him, shivering. “Mr. FitzGerald… are you going to snatch Kristin from Mr. Bryce?”
