Valerie calmly picked up the microphone on stage, attempting to redirect the attention.
âLucinda, tonight is my special night.
Why are you and Nathan so late?â
Valerie subtly downplayed Lucindaâs arrival, hinting to the guests not to overthink the situation.
From a distance, Lucinda locked eyes with Valerie, a mocking smile playing on her lips.
âValerie, you have no right to designate Graham as the family head and hand over all the family properties to him!â
In the garden, the volume of conversation rose as the guests grew more intrigued.
Lucindaâs words hinted at a significant secret waiting to be revealed.
She cast a cold glance at Graham, who stood on the stage, and spoke with utmost seriousness.
âGraham, this is a matter concerning our family business.
If you donât want the stock price of the Simmons Group to plummet tomorrow or see the Simmons familyâs name splashed across the headlines, clear the scene immediately.
We need to sit down and talk.
â
In front of everyone, she stared at Graham coldly.
The curiosity of the guests and the media heightened as they anxiously awaited the unfolding events.
Cyrus swiftly directed the reporters to leave, while Hilliard ushered the guests out of the garden.
With the legal documents in his hands, Ismael looked around in confusion.
Sensing his confusion, Nathan gestured for Sonny and Leon to escort Ismael away from the premises.
Ten minutes later, the once lively garden turned cold and silent, with only Lucinda, her brothers, Nathan and some important members of the Simmons family.
Graham, with his piercing gaze fixed upon Lucinda, said nothing, waiting for her to speak.
Lucinda had no intention of beating around the bush.
She reached into her bag and pulled out five paternity test reports conducted by Hilliard the previous night.
âGraham, see for yourself.
These are the authentic test reports!â
Fueled by her anger, she threw the documents towards Graham, who made no move to catch them.
His eyes remained fixed on Lucinda.
âGraham, it was you who suggested that Dad take the DNA test.
Braden is a close friend of Dadâs, and you and him go way back.
Did you threaten him with his motherâs life to fabricate the result?â
Graham lowered his gaze, looking at the scattered papers on the floor, his lips tightly compressed.
He remained silent.
Valerie, taking a step forward, interjected, âLucinda, he had no knowledge of it.
It was I who threatened Braden, and I suggested to Dad over the phone that we conduct the test.
If Graham truly wanted Braden to falsify the result, he wouldnât need to threaten him.
Braden would have complied willingly.
Grahamâ¦â