Chapter 0274
“Of course. I’ll inform the team right away. It shouldn’t take too long, Now, let’s move on to Paul. He’s quite the young man now, isn’t he?” the doctor said with a smile, opening the envelope. But as he read the results, his expression changed. He hesitated, then spoke carefully. “Mr. Palmer, I regret to inform you… Paul has no biological connection to you.”
“What the hell are you saying?” Maximus demanded, rising from his seat.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Palmer, but Paul isn’t your son. Here–look at the results,” the doctor said, extending the document.
Maximus stood there, his mind racing. The words blurred together as he tried to make sense of what he’d just heard. Paul wasn’t his son.
“Repeat the damn test too!” Maximus shouted, his anger boiling over. “Your staff must have mixed up the samples. There’s no way this can be right! Years ago, I tested my son, and I was 100% sure he was mine.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, Mr. Palmer,” the doctor said with a hint of worry in his voice. “We’ll retest, but I assure you, we’re extremely careful with these procedures.”
Maximis sed to accept the results, even though he knew the clinic was reputable and unlikely to make such mistakes. How could he lace such a cruel reality? One child be’d considered his own wasn’t, and the one he had doubted all along was. Life seemed to be punishing him, returning the pain he’d caused in the past.
A few hours later, the tests were repeated. The results came back the same: Laura had a 99.99% match, confirming she was his daughter, while Paul had a 0% match. Maximus slumped back in his chair, clutching the papers in his trembling hands. Closing his eyes, he let the tears fall. What was he supposed to do now? When he first walked into the clinic, he had hoped that Laura wouldn’t be his, but he never expected this–Laura was his daughter, and Paul, his little Paul, wasn’t.
He sat in his car for a long time, paralyzed with indecision. Should he keep the truth to himself and carry on as if nothing had happened? Or should he confront the matter head–on? What was the right choice?
It was Friday evening, and Maximus found himself longing to talk to someone–someone whose voice he hadn’t heard in five years. He thought it might soothe the storm inside him. Pulling out his phone, he searched for her number and stared at it for a long moment. He checked the time and then locked the screen, shaking his head. Now isn’t the time. Besides, why would I?‘ He told himself bitterly. ‘I’m still in the same place I was five years ago.
His thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the sharp ring of his phone.
“Mr. Palmer?” a male voice called from the other end of the line.
“Yes,” Maximus replied curtly, his irritation evident.
“This is Aurelius Abbott. Your assistant contacted me. Where can I meet you? I’m at the clinic now,” Aurelius said, scanning the area.
“I’m in the basement parking lot. I’ll meet you here,” Maximus said, his tone cold and serious.
Ten minutes later, a man around Maximus’s age appeared beside the car.
12
+25 BONUS
Chapter 0274
“Mr. Palmer… What do you need?” Aurelius asked cautiously.
“Here,” Maximus said, handing over the test results. “These are the paternity test results for my children. I want you to start divorce proceedings immediately. Use this as evidence to ensure my wife gets no more than what I’m legally obligated to give her. As soon as I have more information, I’ll send it to you. And remember–your discretion will be well rewarded. Understood?”
“Yes, sir,” Aurelius replied, concern etched on his face. “May I ask why this sudden decision?”
“I’m tired, Aurelius,” Maximus said flatly. “I need to leave. Do what I asked, and keep me updated on your
progress.
Without offering any further explanation, Maximus got into his car and drove off, leaving Aurelius standing in silence.
