The CEO Gets What He Wants

Chapter 585

Chapter 585 Overwhelming Joy

Silvia's words first struck Claire numb with shock. By the time she composed herself and understood the implications of her friend's words, Claire was beside herself with joy.

She forgot her adopted daughter, Nicole, was sitting right beside her. “I-Is that true, Silvia?” Claire's hands were shaking as she continued, “Have you really found my biological daughter? Where is she? Is she doing all right? Is she—”

Silvia cut her off and suggested, “Are you free, Claire? Why don't you come here and see for yourself? Mr. Darnum investigated her identity and background, and he believes she fits all the descriptions. I truly think there's a high chance she's your daughter.”

“Yes, I'm free. I'll be there right away!”

The phone's speaker was loud enough for Nicole to overhear their entire phone conversation. Chills ran down her spine.

She fell into silence on the living room couch. Gone was the sweet smile that was always on her face.

Instead, dread filled her soul. Her right fist subconsciously clenched around a flower stem.

Claire ended the call a while later and noticed a pale Nicole staring at her with tears swimming in her eyes. Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

She winced when she realized the implications of her words earlier. “Nickie...”

Nicole bit her lip, looking like a harmless doe as she asked, “Mom, has Mdm. Wright found my sister's whereabouts?”

“It's a long story, Nickie. I'll explain everything to you when I come back.”

Claire hugged Nicole and said, “You have no idea how delighted I was when Silvia said she found your older sister. I almost couldn't believe her. I can't imagine how much that poor child had suffered on her own before this. But don't worry, Nickie. You'll always be my beloved daughter, even if your sister's back. In fact, you'll now have a new sister to love you.”

Nicole scoffed to herself. Her mind whirled with a myriad of thoughts.

She used to call me her “most beloved” daughter when she was cajoling me. I didn't hear it now. Her enthusiasm after learning the whereabouts of her biological daughter disgusts me! Is sharing the same blood really that important? Does she not care for our relationship after all these years? How can I still have a place in the Lambert family once her biological daughter comes back? Plus, I've done so many horrible things to Avery in the past, even almost killing her. Once that woman is back and tells her new parents about this, my pure and innocent image will be ruined. The Lamberts would kick me out of the house. Oh God, do I have to go to jail?

Nicole's complexion blanched at the idea of going to prison.

Still, she was careful not to reveal her guilt and mustered a smile. “Mom, we haven't heard any news of her for years. How did Mdm. Wright find her so quickly? Doesn't it seem fishy to you? There are so many scammers these days, and I really don't want you to get yourself excited over nothing. What if she's an impersonator?”

“Either way, I have to see the evidence for myself. What if it's really your sister this time round? Technology is so advanced now. We can just verify her identity through DNA testing,” justified Claire.

She had dedicated her entire life to finding her biological daughter and had indeed run into impersonators in the past, yet she never lost hope of their eventual reunion.

Even now, whenever she heard a new lead about her daughter, Claire would drop everything and throw herself into the search again, no matter how busy she was.

Nicole concealed the resentment in her gaze and put on a hopeful expression. “Mom, I really hope you find her this time. You can finally stop worrying about her. I promise I'll shower my new sister with all the love in the world and help you make up for her years of suffering.” She looked as though she genuinely prayed for Claire's reunion with her biological daughter.

“Thank you, Nickie. You're such a lovely girl. I'm sure your sister will be happy to know you.” Claire's relief was palpable.

She assumed Nicole would have a hard time accepting the truth, yet her adopted daughter's sensibility was a pleasant surprise. I didn't waste my efforts raising her. She's such a sweet girl.

The ghost of a sneer curved Nicole's lips while Claire looked away.

Did you think I would sit around on my hands when you're out looking for your biological daughter?

...

When Claire and Nicole arrived at the private investigation firm, they saw Silvia in the manager's office, chatting warmly with a girl clad in a long, white dress.

A bespectacled, middle-aged man sat in a swivel chair behind a desk, flipping through some documents.

A frumpily dressed couple who appeared to be in their fifties occupied the couch across from Silvia.

“Silvia!” Claire shouted before staring at the young lady with her friend. Her gaze teemed with longing and anticipation.

Silvia stood up, pulling the young woman beside her to her feet. “Ah, you're here. Claire, this is the young woman Mr. Darnum shortlisted, who matches the description of the abandoned baby.”

She continued the introduction, “Her name is Evangeline Gellana. Her date of birth and family background match the details of your child.”

Mr. Darnum stood up and handed a dossier of information to Claire. He explained professionally, “These are for your review, Mrs. Lambert. A lot of manpower and resources went into this investigation. We've combed through twenty-odd years worth of information as well as details on Evangeline's life since her birth.”

Meanwhile, Nicole was utterly relieved to realize the candidate for Claire's biological daughter was not Avery.

She studied the young woman with a critical eye.

The long, white dress lent to Evangeline's quiet, docile air. She had a pretty enough smile.

Right now, she was looking at Claire and Nicole with a curious gaze.

It would have appeared as innocent curiosity to most, yet Nicole shrewdly picked up on the young woman's admiration for her branded attire.

Evangeline was dressed rather stylishly and came across as a young woman who barely lifted a finger around the house. In contrast, Mr. and Mrs. Gellana were barely as well-coiffed and wore rather old clothes.

The couple fidgeted on the couch, shooting Evangeline nervous glances from time to time.

Nicole scoffed to herself as she zeroed in on the truth. She's nothing but a selfish, gold-digging phony.

A bold thought suddenly crossed her mind.

Having someone like this as my elder sister isn't a bad idea. She's greedy and has a weakness. It should be easier to manipulate her.

Unaware of Nicole's plot, Claire received Mr. Darnum's documents and eagerly skimmed through their contents.

Her heart skipped a bit when she saw Evangeline's birthday and the date she was brought home from the dumpster by the Gellanas.

Evangeline had been taken in by the Gellana family on the same day Claire's daughter had been born.

On top of that, Evangeline had been found in a dumpster near Yara's clinic.

The two details almost convinced Claire that Evangeline was her biological daughter.

Nothing could be so coincidental in this world.

Evangeline's birthday and my daughter's birthday are the same. Moreover, she was abandoned near Yara's clinic on the same day my daughter was born. The coincidences are too much to ignore!