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Chapter 170: The Father of Three Babies
Henry ceased his push against the door, freezing in place. A sideways glance from Jared met Henry’s eyes, a hint of absurdity dancing across his features. Jared could empathize; if it were him, learning of Julia’s pregnancy belatedly, his response might be no different from Henry’s.
“Relax, I’ve kept your secret. I pledged to help care for the trio,” Julia assured, hand reaching for the doorknob. Just as Julia’s fingers brushed the handle, she noticed the door slightly ajar.
Yet, before Julia could act, the door yielded to an external force, revealing Henry’s entrance.
Words caught in Julia’s throat. A slight delay was followed by a flicker of a gaze, a silent farewell exchanged between Julia and Maddie.
Maddie’s voice faltered, suspicion clouding her features, “Why do you—”
But her inquiry was cut short as Henry materialized in her line of sight.
Pupils dilated, Maddie’s mouth fell agape, jaw almost unhinged.
Henry mirrored Maddie’s expression, reaching into his trouser pocket and striding toward the hospital bed, his focus locked on her lower abdomen.
Ah, the sudden weight gain made sense now. The flat terrain had transformed into rolling hills; the cause was pregnancy. And if he’d correctly overheard earlier, there were three occupants!
“What are you gawking at? It’s none of your business!” Clutching the quilt, Maddie shielded her stomach, casting wary eyes at Henry, as if he might filch the babies.
Arching an eyebrow at her swollen midsection, Henry quipped, “They’re mine.”
“No!” Maddie’s rejection was unequivocal.
“Then whose are they?” Henry’s conviction about the child’s paternity remained steadfast.
Panicked, Maddie turned her gaze to Julia.
A bead of sweat trailed down Julia’s forehead. While she wanted to help, declaring the child as hers wasn’t a viable option.
“In any case, they aren’t yours!” Maddie retorted.
With a casual demeanor, Henry erupted into laughter, his face radiant.
Maddie’s countenance darkened, questioning Henry’s amusement. “What’s so funny? I’ve made myself clear – it’s none of your business!”
Perched on the windowsill, Henry beamed at Maddie, quipping, “In our Miles family, triplets emerge every few generations. Don’t believe me? Ask Jared.”
Jared nodded in Julia’s direction.
Baffled, Julia exchanged a perplexed glance with Jared. Why was he nodding at her? Henry had been addressing him.
Before Julia could decipher the gesture, Henry’s voice resonated once more.
“Not only in our Miles family, but also in the Brooks lineage. Our ancestral tree intertwines. We carry the triplet gene, though it has lain dormant in the Brooks family. Our Miles family experiences it sporadically, perhaps every other generation, sometimes two. My great–grandfather’s era witnessed triplets.”
Maddie stood bewildered.
Understanding dawned upon Julia – the reason for Jared’s nod and the man’s hasty glimpse at her abdomen.
Before Henry’s explanation, she’d been utterly mystified. Now, exasperation surged within her.
Maddie’s gaze ping–ponged between Henry and her belly.
“Fine, I confess! So what? The child is mine. No one can take them from me!”
“Who’s attempting to snatch anything from you?” Maddie’s delight surged upon hearing Henry’s words, her gaze softening as she looked at him.
“You needn’t worry about theft. You-” Henry interjected, a firm resolve coloring his words, “This is our child. I’m its father. There’s no need for snatching.” He advanced toward Maddie, gently
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caressing her stomach. “Dear little one, your father misses you, you know?”
Maddie’s eyes twitched frantically; irritation ignited within her. “Just take it!”
“In your condition, anger won’t help,” Julia intervened, stepping forward to assess Maddie’s state before shifting her gaze to Henry. “You should leave for now. Maddie’s just stabilized, and rest is crucial. Address any issues slowly after she recovers.”
Henry, studying Maddie’s pallor, withdrew his hand and pocketed it. “The doctor’s orders stand. We should adhere. Rest well for now. I’ll check in on you later.”
Henry still had business with Jordan. That lecherous, covetous man nearly jeopardized his role as a father.
Julia shared the sentiment, sensing the enigma enveloping the situation.
Exiting the ward, Julia glanced at Jared, inquiring, “Is it true that Jordan, despite his flaws, wouldn’t be audacious enough to orchestrate a street abduction?”
After all, Jordan bore the Brooks surname and the corresponding rules – his external exploits were beyond the family’s purview. However, street–level kidnappings would invite scandal, risking the Brooks family’s reputation.
“He’s been brought to the estate by Joseph. Let’s return,” Jared mused. Something about the incident struck him as unusual. As the family’s head, he couldn’t endorse infractions of law or decorum. Naturally, there were boundaries; the behavior of the offspring wasn’t entirely within his dominion. Even fathers struggled to police their sons‘ escapades.
Upon reentering the estate with Jared, Julia spotted Jordan kneeling, quaking, blood staining hist lips.
Without a word, Henry lunged forward, landing a fierce kick that sent Jordan sprawling.
“Let’s alleviate some frustration first, shall we? Thankfully, my wife and kids are safe. Otherwise, I’d insist on your life,” Henry’s declaration rattled Julia’s teeth. Imagining Maddie’s reaction to such words, if she’d been present, struck Julia as explosive.
Jordan lay on the ground, his attempt to scream stifled by Henry’s sudden barrage. Fear silenced
him.
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Wife?
Child?
“I had no idea! Truly, I didn’t know she was yours!” Jordan’s voice wavered, his gaze locked onto Henry, aghast.
In the lineage of the Miles family, Henry stands as the solitary scion. In the event of any unforeseen situation involving that woman, Jared would promptly hand the matter over to the Miles family for resolution. It’s common knowledge that Henry’s father and grandfather possess fiery temperaments. Henry’s mother, a renowned industry tigress and wrestling champion, completes this formidable trio.
The thought induced an immediate onslaught of sweat on Jordan, legs quaking in response.
“Hmph! Do you believe ignorance equals innocence? Nonsense! The principle stands – blood for blood. If I’m even slightly delayed, my wife and three children will meet their end, all at your hands!”
Three children? Jordan’s mouth formed an ‘O‘ of surprise. But now wasn’t the time for astonishment; he had to strategize escape.
“Henry! Please hear me out. I truly bear no involvement in this affair. Upon returning from a night out, I learned from the housekeeper that a woman had been delivered. Intoxication clouded my judgment, assuming it a gift from a drinking comrade. I—I’ve been gravely mistaken!”
Jordan’s words carried an air of truth. Julia and the rest, sizing up Jordan, sensed no deceit. Plus, their previous analysis hinted at external manipulation.
“Are you aware of who orchestrated her placement in your villa?” Julia inquired.
“The housekeeper investigated as I asked. They reported that the individuals were tightly clad, setting her down before vanishing without a word.”
After Julia and the group departed, Jordan tasked his housekeeper to delve into the matter, desperate to uncover the malefactor behind Maddie’s unexpected appearance.
Regrettably, their efforts yielded nothing.
Days later, Julia found herself on the yard’s swing, reflecting on recent events, Neither Lincoln’s side nor Jared’s had unearthed any clues. She’d believed her extensive connections, thanks to
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Cameron’s background, would render this mystery solvable.
Yet, prior to Maddie’s incident, Julia noted clashes between Cameron and herself. When Julia confronted Cameron afterward, her evasion screamed guilt, betraying something concealed.
Julia pondered hypnotizing Cameron, though such endeavors required the participant’s cooperation. Cameron’s propensity for concealment posed an obstacle to successful hypnosis. Still, exceptions existed; extreme exhaustion or a weakened will could facilitate hypnosis, just as it had with the killers captured by Jared before.
Rubbing her temples, Julia sought solace from fatigue. There was one other matter she mulled over. Drawing out the Little Jade Statue from her chest, she contemplated its potential connection to her. Despite wearing it for a while, the artifact’s link remained elusive.
Just as Julia immersed herself in contemplation, an ear–piercing shriek shattered the air behind
her.
“Little Jade Statue!”
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