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Chapter 16

Author: Happy Jojo
last update Last Updated: 2024-12-23 19:19:20
Lorraine chimed in, "Exactly! I know you're famous, Ms. Jefferson. Still, it seems like a person's capabilities don't necessarily reflect their personality."

She had a mocking look on her face as she tried to drag Samson away again. "Why are you still clinging on to her after everything she's said? Come to Grandma now."

Claudia shot a glare at Lorraine. For some reason, Lorraine felt an overwhelming sense of pressure. For a moment, she dared not utter a word.

Claudia's gaze fell on Shawn. "Mr. Faulkner, as a father, you can't even protect your child well. So, what makes you think you have the right to criticize me like that?" she said in a harsh tone.

Shawn was struck speechless. He couldn't refute her words. He knew he was a poor excuse for a father. Yet, he refused to admit his mistakes.

Claudia squatted down, placed her hands on Samson's shoulders, and turned him around so that he was looking at Shawn.

"Samson, this is the first lesson I'm teaching you. Never rely on pleasing
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    Yet, Shawn was cold to Claudia, hurting her time and time again. At this point, he had no idea who to blame anymore.Just then, Samson said, "I think it's Aunt Emmy's fault. If she hadn't been trying to keep you all to herself, Mommy probably wouldn't have decided to abandon us in the end."His voice had a child-like innocence, yet it sounded firm.Those words seemed to set off something massive in Shawn's heart. He flinched. He couldn't help but recall a past incident.After Claudia reunited with the Lowells, she and Emilia fell into the water once.However, after both of them were pulled out of the water, everyone blamed Claudia. They all assumed she intentionally took Emilia to the poolside even though she knew the latter was in poor health.At the time, none of them realized that Claudia was already pregnant with Samson. She even nearly had a miscarriage because of the incident, and Samson almost didn't make it into the world.Shawn froze to the spot as those memories came b

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    On the other hand, Claudia and Ethan left the Lowell residence. Ethan looked extremely worried, frowning deeply with his brows scrunched up. Although Claudia insisted multiple times that she was alright, Ethan went ahead and took her to the hospital despite her protests.After Claudia got a checkup at the hospital, the doctor spoke to them with a grim look on his face. "Looking at the blood analysis report, the patient has ingested quite a large amount of peanut powder."If she hadn't taken the allergy medication quickly, she might have ended up in a dire situation. She probably wouldn't have been able to stand before us right now."Claudia felt a chill run through her body as she listened to the doctor's words.Those people were like a pack of hungry wolves that kept their eyes trained on Claudia. They were ready to pounce at her and tear her to shreds at any moment.Ethan balled his fists in rage, his eyes blazing with fury. "What a bunch of wretched lunatics!"A thought occu

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    Claudia's blood ran cold almost immediately. She lifted her gaze at once.Meanwhile, Shawn and Samson instinctively followed her gaze. They glanced over their shoulders and spotted a young girl, who was holding Bertram's hand and looking in Claudia's direction.Shawn's eyes widened slightly. The young child looked like she was around two years old.Back when he was informed of Claudia's death, the nurse told him that Claudia gave birth to a girl. Unfortunately, the baby passed away along with her mother.Claudia's heart pounded hard against her chest. She subconsciously turned her gaze toward Ethan, who was standing beside her.If Ethan hadn't told Bertram and Isabel where she was, they wouldn't have shown up at the hospital so quickly.Ethan was equally flustered. He was just worried about Claudia. Since the Jeffersons practically raised her, he thought he should at least let Bertram know what Claudia was subjected to after meeting the Lowells.Yet, he never imagined Bertram wo

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    "I said let go of my daughter!" Ethan stood up and shoved Shawn away the next instant.Claudia clutched onto Isabel tightly and held the child closer to her chest, feeling quite shaken by what just happened.Startled by Shawn's outburst, Isabel burst into tears. "Mommy, who is that man? He's so creepy! I'm so scared of him!"Claudia felt as if her heart was being torn apart. She hugged Isabel tightly and patted her back gently. "Don't worry. I won't let anyone hurt you, Belle."Meanwhile, Ethan was having a heated confrontation with Shawn. "Who the hell do you think you are? How dare you yell at my wife and daughter like that?" A menacing look glinted in his eyes. However, Shawn stared back at him fearlessly. "Fine! We'll see how much longer you can keep up with this act!"Shawn charged toward Claudia and grabbed her by the wrist. "Bring the child along! We'll go and get a DNA test done right now!""I've told you that I'm not Claudia Lowell!" Claudia mustered all her strength a

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    Bertram strode toward the group and yanked Claudia's hand away from Shawn's grip.He looked at Shawn furiously."Mr. Faulkner, you've used my late wife's painting to coerce Jolene into becoming your son's private tutor. Jolene is a good child who's considerate to me. So, she went along with your unreasonable demands."Still, we live in a modern society now. Most of us are aware of our basic rights and how the law works. You shouldn't overstep your boundaries."Shawn felt this immense pressure as Bertram's gaze fell on him. Even a successful businessman like him, who experienced his fair share of various situations, couldn't help but take a few steps backward.Bertram's tone was stern and critical. "Mr. Faulkner, you come from a prestigious family. I'm sure you've also received an excellent education. However, I never thought that Jolene would have to visit the hospital in less than 24 hours after arriving at Briarwood."I may be old and frail. Still, I think I need to come and as

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    Then, Bertram cast a glance at Maxwell, who was standing quietly behind him all this time.Maxwell came forward at once and passed a document to Shawn."You've been curious about whether Jolene is actually your late wife or not. You can take a look at that document and see for yourself."With a puzzled look on his face, Shawn took the document and read through the pages. Soon enough, he froze to the spot.Jolene's background and life story were all written in detail in the document. Shortly after she was born, she was brought to an orphanage. She stayed there until she reached the age of 15.When Bertram visited her school to recruit talents, Jolene's painting caught his eye. He could tell the talent she had through her work.After returning to Glenhallow, he discussed it with Iris. Not long after that, they completed the procedure to adopt Jolene.As for Claudia, she was living on the streets after she got separated from her family. She even got sold off by human traffickers se

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    However, those men were annoyingly clever. They opted to retreat immediately as soon as they realized they couldn't get close to Claudia and Isabel. In the end, Ethan didn't even get to implement the second part of his plan.Logically speaking, even the strongest man, with a will of steel, would eventually exhaust his strength. As time dragged on, Ethan's men might gradually lose focus and lower their guard. Their enemies would surely seize the opportunity to get what they were aiming for then."We need to think of a way to put a stop to this once and for all," Ethan said.Bertram slowly shook his head. "The Faulkner and Lowell families each possess great power and influence. It's impossible to put a stop to it for good. The only way to resolve this crisis is to create a bigger problem for them."Bertram met Ethan's gaze. "I've never been interested in gaining or fighting for power and influence. However, Jolene is my child. I won't allow anyone to hurt her. Ethan, I believe you ca

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    "Should we just send Belle away?" Ethan suggested cautiously."We do need to send her away, but not now." Claudia continued, "It'll look even more suspicious if we rush to hide her now."Choosing to hide away now would be the same as telling their enemies they had something to hide."You made friends back when you were more involved with the underworld, right?" Claudia asked all of a sudden. "We need to create a diversion. Do you get it?"Ethan understood what she meant instantly. "I know what to do now."…A shrill voice screamed inside the Lowell residence at a late hour.Emilia had a look of disdain on her face as she stood at the side. After composing her emotions, she adopted a worried expression and stepped forward."Claudia's being too much this time! She shouldn't have hit Benedict even if she was trying to hide her identity! He's her brother, after all!"It turned out Claudia actually managed to twist and dislocate Benedict's hand with sheer force.The Lowells' famil

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    "What the hell are you doing?" Ethan fumed."Who are you? What are you doing barging into a patient's room?"Sitting up on the bed, Claudia recognized the man who was standing by the door and boiling with rage at first glance.It was Benedict. Seeing him, Claudia's eyes hardened."Mister, have you come to the wrong room?" she said in a low voice."Why are you trying to act like you don't know me?" Benedict strode toward her and seized her wrist."You're a smart one, aren't you? Was it fun pretending to be dead during these past few years? Do you know how devastated everyone has been because of you? Do you know how bad Emilia feels whenever she sees Sammy?"Claudia might have fallen for Benedict's words if she hadn't visited the Lowell residence today.No matter how he phrased it, Benedict was only here now because of Emilia.Claudia scoffed and tried to pull her hand free. "So, you're Ms. Emilia's older brother? No wonder you've come barging into my room in the middle of the n

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    Samson bit his lip. He felt slightly lost. After all, hearing an apology from his mother was never something he wanted.He said in a small voice, "Daddy… Actually, I don't think Mommy did anything wrong. We're the ones who should apologize to her…"Shawn froze to the spot as those words struck a critical blow to him.…Inside the hospital room, Isabel stuck to Claudia like glue, appearing all bubbly and chirpy. She looked completely different from the child who was timid and scared around Shawn earlier.Isabel leaned against Claudia's shoulder. "Mommy, did I do well just now?"Claudia could feel her heart melt. She stroked Isabel's hair gently. "You're the best, of course."However, Claudia wondered how Isabel knew that Shawn was her biological father. She never told her about it.She quickly assumed Ethan must have told Isabel. Yet, when she turned to Ethan, she could see him sitting in a corner with a frightened and worn-out look on his face.Judging by the look on his face,

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    Then, Bertram cast a glance at Maxwell, who was standing quietly behind him all this time.Maxwell came forward at once and passed a document to Shawn."You've been curious about whether Jolene is actually your late wife or not. You can take a look at that document and see for yourself."With a puzzled look on his face, Shawn took the document and read through the pages. Soon enough, he froze to the spot.Jolene's background and life story were all written in detail in the document. Shortly after she was born, she was brought to an orphanage. She stayed there until she reached the age of 15.When Bertram visited her school to recruit talents, Jolene's painting caught his eye. He could tell the talent she had through her work.After returning to Glenhallow, he discussed it with Iris. Not long after that, they completed the procedure to adopt Jolene.As for Claudia, she was living on the streets after she got separated from her family. She even got sold off by human traffickers se

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