Chapter 361: Paternity Test??
After Dexter and the others had left, Jasper, with a stern face, ascended the stairs to Tina’s room. He knocked on the door and waited a long while before Tina finally opened it. Leaning against the door, she asked, “Mr. Reed, do you need something from me?”
Jasper looked up to meet her clear eyes, his voice deep and somber, “Are you satisfied with causing such a scene?”
Tina laughed, “Are you here to settle scores with me?” Her tone was neither cold nor warm, yet it carried an undeniable pressure.
Jasper furrowed his brows and stared at Tina for a long time before his voice softened, “Tina, I understand that you’re upset about bringing Lily back, but I have my reasons, which I can’t disclose. In dad’s heart, you have always been the most beloved. I hope you can understand me.”
Tina raised an eyebrow and her laugh was more scornful, “Mr. Reed, are you confused? I have always understood you!” Her lips curled seductively, “Understanding your difficulties, agreeing to bring Lily back to the Reed family, comprehending the old lady’s household and business affairs, and even agreeing to break off the engagement-I’ve been so accommodating. What more do you want? Do you want me to rip out my heart and hand it to you?”
Jasper looked troubled, “If you understand me, why then do you allow your brothers to create chaos at our home? And why let Logan trouble Grandpa at the sanatorium? The Reed family has been through one ordeal after another, and all I want now is some peace.”
Tina rubbed her temples, then crossed her arms, looking amused at him, “Grandpa Farrell troubling Muff was his own doing. My brothers, unable to stand seeing me bullied, came to my defense. Is there a problem with that?”
“Yes, that’s understandable,” Jasper replied, “but you should also try to calm them down a bit!”
Tina couldn’t help but laugh, “Mr. Reed! Can’t you keep your cool any longer?”
Jasper was taken aback, surprised by her reaction. Did she discover something? He paused for a moment before asking, “What do you mean?”
Tina, with a mischievous smile, teased, “Who do you think is more formidable, my mother or me?”This is property © NôvelDrama.Org.
“You!” Jasper replied instinctively. Natalie was the most extraordinary woman he had ever encountered. Her intelligence and talent, everything about her seemed to be haloed in brilliance, unshakable and captivating.
But Tina was even more astonishing than Natalie.
Tina’s laughter grew wilder. She straightened up, hands in her pockets, and said with a roguish look, “Go prepare the banquet for your Lily, Jasper. There will be surprises waiting for you!”
Jasper frowned, wanting to say more, but Tina closed the door on him. He stood at her door for a long while before turning to leave.
Meanwhile, Lily was nearly scared out of her wits by an explosion earlier. When she learned that it was Tina’s brothers seeking revenge, she was furious. Then she heard that Muff had vehemently refused to recognize her engagement with Jared, which nearly made her explode with rage.
Why? Why did Tina have such good fortune? She had so many brothers to support her, and even Muff sided with her?
Lily, furious, felt like smashing things but restrained herself to avoid disappointing the Reed family. Despite the raging anger inside her, she held it in. With a cold sneer, she thought, “So what if they don’t recognize the marriage? As long as I want something, nobody can take it away from me. After the banquet, everyone will know I’m the daughter of the Reed family, and getting Jared will be easy.”
Two days later, it was time for Lily’s banquet. Over these days, Lily had been much more compliant. Jasper and Annabelle were busy preparing the banquet, with Muff overseeing the Reed family home, ensuring that no one dared to misbehave. Everyone was on their best behavior.
The banquet was hosted at the Reed family estate. Compared to the previous banquet held at a hotel for Tina, this one was much more lavish. The Reed family had invited numerous top celebrities from the entertainment industry, and many renowned figures from high society were present.
Willow, being Lily’s mother, took the opportunity to frequently visit the Reed family over these days. Although Annabelle had initially been reluctant to have Willow marry Jasper, she was, after all, Lily’s mother, and Annabelle’s attitude towards her had softened considerably.
The banquet was scheduled for the evening. By the afternoon, the Reed family was busy welcoming guests. At seven in the evening, as dusk settled, Tina changed into a black outfit and jumped out of a window, scaling the upper floors of Whispering Pines. She deftly maneuvered her way into Jasper’s room through a window.
Just as she entered, another figure jumped in through the window. Turning around, Tina smiled, “Uncle, you’re just in time.”
Jared returned the smile, “How could I be late when my Tina has given an order?”
After scanning Jasper’s room, Jared added, “Nathan Lehman and Cole are keeping Jasper busy. He won’t be up here for half an hour. Can you manage, Tina?”
“Half an hour is enough,” Tina replied.
“Alright, let’s split up and search.”
Without further discussion, they began their search in Jasper’s room. Tina had been here before and only found a safe but hadn’t located what she was seeking. This time, she had Jared with her for a thorough search, potentially her last.
They moved quickly. Within minutes, Jared announced, “Here’s a hidden compartment!”
Tina looked up at him but then dismissed the contents, “It’s useless.”
They continued searching and found several more compartments, but nothing of importance. After about twenty minutes, Tina’s expression darkened.
Suddenly, Jared called out, “Tina, come here.”
She immediately went to him. It was the ninth compartment Jared had found, containing a box with a peculiar lock.
Tina frowned, “This lock is tricky.”
The lock was crescent-shaped, not the usual iris or fingerprint locks, which would have been easy for her to deal with. This lock, made of a special material, was unfamiliar to her. The last time she needed a lock tool provided by Philip to open one.
“This lock, it’s clear, even the tools won’t work on it.”
“Take it with us, have someone open it,” Jared suggested, as neither of them specialized in locks, and there wasn’t enough time to figure it out.
“We can’t take it. Jasper will notice it’s missing,” Tina frowned.
Jared paused, then suggested, “We’ll come back another time.”
Just as Tina was about to agree, a flash of insight struck her. “Uncle, give me your pendant.”
Jared seemed to realize something too and handed his pendant to Tina. Tina took off her own pendant and placed it next to Jared’s-it formed a perfect crescent-shaped key.
They exchanged a glance and inserted the key into the lock.