Chapter 523

Frederick scanned the dense lines of text for what felt like the umpteenth time, and finally, his gaze settled on the words “non-parentage relationship.” It was as if a stone had been dropped into the still waters of his heart, rippling through his calm with a resounding splash.

His chest felt heavy, his mind anything but at peace.

Wasn’t Hayes Marguerite’s child? It seemed he had been wishful thinking all along.

But then, why had Yuna done all those things to Hayes?

Questions circled back to the beginning.

Chuck, standing nearby, hadn’t even glanced at the results of the maternity test, but he could read the truth in the subtle shifts of Frederick’s expression.

He punched his fist into his palm regretfully, racking his brain for words of comfort. “Don’t be down, Mr.

Winston. Maybe there was a mix-up with the test! How about we get Marguerite and Hayes down here and run it again?”

Frederick was a tempest of frustration, his face betraying his emotions despite his stubborn words.

“There’s nothing to be down about. That woman and I have nothing to do with each other. This was a waste of time!”

With a scoff, he tossed the report at Chuck and walked away, his disappointment trailing behind him.

In the distance…

Behind the glass, a young nurse saw Frederick accept the maternity results without question. She breathed a sigh of relief, turned away, and slipped off her mask to reveal the face of Janie, looking determined.

She quickly dialed a number and reported with precision, “Mr. Winston, this is Janie. You were right, he brought Marguerite and Hayes for a maternity test.”

Maurice tensed up on the other end. “Was Marguerite there?”

“Marguerite wasn’t present. Frederick conducted the maternity test without her knowledge.”

The tension in Maurice’s eyes eased, a sly smile curling at the corner of his mouth. “Did you take care of it?”

“Rest assured, Mr. Winston, it’s been handled.”

“Find a time to leave the hospital, and don’t give them any reason to suspect.”

“Understood, Mr. Winston!”

After the hurried conversation, Janie put her mask back on, planning to exit through the back door. But her gaze inadvertently fell on Chuck.

He hadn’t left, flipping through the reports with a look of disappointment and dissatisfaction.

Janie’s eyes narrowed, and she couldn’t help but recall the moment she and Maurice had parted ways the day before-

After Maurice drove off, Janie had sensed the tinge of nervousness and caution on his face.

She tried to reassure him, “Mr. Winston, so far, Marguerite hasn’t found any loose ends that could prove Hayes is her son. She’s unlikely to get a maternity test done on a whim.”

Janie had been in the passenger seat of the car when Maurice and Marguerite were talking, close enough to hear their exchange clearly. She knew Maurice was eager to take Marguerite home for fear she’d suddenly decide to take Hayes for a maternity test. As Maurice gazed out the window at the, swiftly changing scenery, his thoughts grew more complex.

“Marguerite doesn’t need to find any loose ends. A mother’s instinct is like a sixth sense, and she and Hayes have shown each other affection many times. We’re at a critical juncture now, and I don’t want any slip-ups.”

Janie hesitated before asking, “What do you mean, Mr. Winston?”

He turned to her, his handsome yet pallid face casting a shadow of malice, chilling to the bone.

“Lock down all the maternity testing facilities in Stonebridge City’s hospitals. If Marguerite tries to get a test done with Hayes, tamper with the results.”

“And what about the tests for Frederick and Teresa? Lock them down as well?”

“Yes.”

“Understood, Mr. Winston!”