Chapter 261



“The previous store manager described that the lady was in her mid-twenties and came in here with that necklace to ask which person in our store had customized it.”

The store manager’s voice was very clear. Hearing his voice, Joseph felt as if he had just drunk a large black coffee for a hangover, making his mind clear.

There was a woman from the Downey Family standing next to him and, no doubt, the first one he thought of was her.

However, he quickly realized it wouldn’t be her.

He hadn’t known Hayden for six years, how could she have that necklace?

While he felt it wouldn’t be related to her, something suddenly flashed through his mind.

He had always suspected that the necklace had been lost six years ago, on that night where he was looking for a surrogate. However, Caesar, the former butler, was quite sure that the necklace was not with him.

But he suspected that Caesar must have kept something from him about the surrogate mother, since he had suddenly quit that year after bringing Noah home from the hospital. Also, after many years, when Joseph ordered Magnus to investigate the incident, he learned that Caesar had died in a fire. He also realized that he had encountered many obstacles when he tried to investigate the surrogate mother.

Joseph looked out the window for a moment, contemplative, and slid his slender fingers across the phone.

“Please go to the mansion and ask Mark for a list of the people who worked with Caesar back then, then go find them and ask one by one about the surrogate mother arrangement. Use every strategy you can think of, including threatening them and giving them benefits.”

On the other end of the phone, Magnus was obviously stunned for a moment before regaining consciousness. “Okay, I’ll be right there.”

“Okay.”

After hanging up the phone, Joseph picked up his pajamas from the bed and turned around to go into the bathroom.

If there really was a problem with the surrogate, then what kind of trouble was Caesar in for him to suddenly quit?

Looking at Hayden lying in the bathtub asleep, he suddenly had a hunch. But after a while, he thought he was wrong, as it seemed too absurd.

Hayden didn’t wake up until noon.

When he woke up, it was noisy outside, Noah and Stella were watching TV in the living room. Stella wanted to watch the replay of Freddie’s concert, but Noah wouldn’t let her, he kept changing the channel when she wasn’t paying attention.

Benjamin was nowhere to be seen and Joseph was doing something in the kitchen.

The wonders went on and on!

Hayden rubbed her hair, which looked like a bird’s nest, and stood in the bedroom doorway for a while. She still looked a little sleepy.

“Mom, why are you up at this hour? You’re lazy.” Stella ran up to her and looked at her curiously, “Mom, what happened to your mouth?”

“Huh?” Hayden was stunned for a moment. When she regained consciousness, she immediately covered her mouth and stammered, “Um…. I accidentally hit it against the cabinet yesterday and now it’s swollen.”

“Huh? Does it hurt? Mom, let’s go to the hospital.”

Stella clutched at her pants as if she wanted to take Hayden to the hospital.

“No need.” Hayden was very embarrassed, “I’ll rest and drink more water. You guys play together.”

With that, she busily walked away from the two boys and went to the kitchen.

Her intention was to drink water. As soon as she entered, however, she saw Joseph watching her with a meaningful expression.

“Is it swollen? Let me see if it’s serious.”

With that, he walked toward her two steps closer.

Hayden immediately stepped back, red-faced and lowered his voice, saying, “Don’t come any closer.”

“Let me take a look.” Joseph raised his large hand as he lifted her waist and pulled her close to his chest, “What kind of cabinet can make your mouth look like this, how about you take it apart?”

“Are you done with this?” Hayden was annoyed and struggled to get away from him. Then he punched him hard, “Don’t play the victim after taking advantage of me.”

“I’m not the only one who took advantage, am I?”.

“Uh…” Hayden raised his voice.

Stella, who was in the living room, immediately asked, “Mom, what’s wrong?”

“No, nothing.” Hayden quickly explained, “I’m pouring tea.”

When she turned, she gave Joseph a fierce look and warned, “You’d better pretend nothing happened last night. I need time to digest what happened last night, so if you still want to stay here, shut up.”

Joseph was quiet for a moment, looking as if he wanted to say something.

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