Chapter 4

Mr. Davis was very efficient.

Half an hour later, the forensic team from St. Jude’s Hospital arrived.

Two doctors in white coats, carrying professional sampling kits.

The atmosphere in the living room was colder than freezing point.

Arthur, my father-in-law, sat on the sofa, silent.

Ethan and I stood to one side.

Brittany lay slumped on the floor, as if all her strength had been drained.

The doctors were professional, with no unnecessary words.

“Mr. Sterling, we need hair follicle or blood samples from you and… Ms. Brittany.”

Arthur extended his hand.

“Blood.”

His voice was devoid of warmth.

The doctor took out the blood collection needle.

Brittany suddenly screamed like she was insane.

“No! I won’t do it!”

She scrambled up from the floor, stumbling as she ran towards the door.

“I don’t want a DNA test! I’m my dad’s daughter! I am!”

Her reaction was a dead giveaway.

Arthur’s face darkened even further.

Two bodyguards immediately stepped forward, one on each side, restraining Brittany.

She struggled desperately like a captured bird.

“Let go of me! Let me go!”

“Dad! Save me! I’m your daughter!”

Arthur closed his eyes.

He seemed unable to bear watching.

Or perhaps, the answer in his heart was becoming increasingly clear.

He waved his hand.

The bodyguards understood, forcibly holding Brittany down.

The doctor stepped forward and quickly took a blood sample from her finger.

Then it was Arthur.

Throughout the entire process, he didn't open his eyes.

The samples were collected.

The doctors sealed the samples and placed them in a secured case.

“Mr. Sterling, the results will be ready by ten tomorrow morning at the earliest.”

“We will deliver the report directly to you.”

Arthur nodded.

“Thank you for your trouble.”

The doctors and bodyguards left, taking the struggling Brittany with them.

Brittany was taken to a guest room and temporarily locked in.

In the living room, only Ethan, my father-in-law, and I remained.

A long silence.

Arthur finally opened his eyes.

He looked at me, his gaze complex.

There was anger, scrutiny, and something else I couldn't decipher.

“Scarlett.”

“Yes, Dad.”

“If the results come back and Brittany is my daughter.”

He spoke slowly, word by word.

“What do you intend to do?”

It was a test.

And a threat.

If I was wrong, I would be utterly ruined.

Swept out of the Sterling family, my reputation destroyed.

Ethan looked at me nervously, his palms sweating.

He wanted to speak for me, but I stopped him with a look.

I met my father-in-law’s gaze and smiled.

Very calmly.

“Dad, if she is.”

“Then I will willingly leave the Sterling family, walking away penniless.”

“And, I will apologize on my knees to Brittany in front of all the employees.”

“To compensate for the damage I caused to the Sterling family’s reputation tonight.”

My answer was flawless.

It also cut off all my retreat routes.

All or nothing.

Arthur stared at me for a long time.

He seemed to want to find a trace of guilt or panic on my face.

But he failed.

I was too composed.

Too composed for someone who was gambling everything.

More like a winner who already knew the outcome.

He finally looked away.

“Alright.”

“I’ll remember your words.”

He stood up, looking somewhat weary.

“Everyone go back and rest.”

With that, he turned and went upstairs.

His back looked a bit desolate.

In the living room, only Ethan and I remained.

Ethan quickly walked over and took my hand.

“Scarlett, are you crazy?”

His voice was very low, but filled with anxiety.

“How could you make such a bet with Dad?”

“What if… what if Brittany really is his biological daughter?”

“Then you’ll be completely ruined, won’t you?”

I looked at him.

My husband.

We had been married for ten years.

He had always been like this: gentle, kind, but lacking drive.

Accustomed to living in the shadow of his father and sister.

I squeezed his hand back.

His hand was cold and still trembling.

“Ethan.”

I looked into his eyes.

“Do you trust me?”

He froze.

“I…”

“You just need to answer, yes or no.”

He looked at my firm gaze and was silent for a long time.

Finally, as if having made a decision, he nodded forcefully.

“I trust you.”

“I trust you, Scarlett.”

I smiled.

“That’s enough.”

“Let’s go to bed.”

“Tomorrow, everything will be clear.”

I led him back to our room.

That night, Ethan tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep.

But I slept soundly.

Ten years of planning.

Ten years of enduring.

It was finally time to reap the rewards.

How could I not be excited?

Tomorrow would be a good day.

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