Chapter 35 He’s Your Son
Nicole was only reenergized after a few days of rest. In order to thank Colton for his help, she prepared to settle into Gardner Corporation after the mid-winter holiday.
Zachary frowned slightly when he heard that she wanted to go to Gardner Corporation, a little displeased by that. “Just stay here at F&M. I’ll send someone else to talk with Gardner Corporation.”
Nicole laughed. “Colton gave me a big hand this time. I can’t possibly owe him.”
Seeing how determined she was, Zachary acquiesced in the end. “If there’s anything that’s bothering you, remember to come tell me.”
“You’re making me feel like I’m tattling on someone to my parents.”
…
Back to Joseph’s side.
All Joseph could do now was pretend that everything was fine while attempting to salvage the situation. He had already offended Nicole during F&M Apparel’s annual dinner, and now he was being dragged into Queenie’s terrible hare-brained scheme. If he didn’t resolve this, he—no, the entire Mann Family would go down in flames!
He couldn’t just sit around and wait for his own end to come. Thus, the only choice he had was to follow Queenie’s words and meet her.
The afternoon sun was a little strong today. Joseph sat by the window in the cafe as he waited for Queenie. She had a gigantic pair of sunglasses on when she came in. The moment her butt touched the seat, Joseph tore into her.
“What on earth did you make them do?!” Joseph asked with a stony face. That group of thugs weren’t saints either; they’d do anything so long as they got their money.
“Oh, that’s irrelevant. I’m here today to tell you some good news.” Queenie’s lips curved up into a smile, her eyes twinkling. She had already thought about it when she was home earlier. Last time, she had gotten someone to tamper with the paternity test for Nicole’s son and Colton. Now, all she had to do was shove Joseph into the picture and make Nicole think that he was Hayden’s father. Everything would be fine after that.
“What good news?” There was a hint of disbelief on Joseph’s face as he stared at Queenie with a cold expression.
“Nicole has a son. Do you know that?” Queenie asked.
Five years ago, I told Nicole that the one she slept with was Joseph. As long as Joseph can reel Nicole in, then Colton will still be mine! The smile on Queenie’s face grew wider at this thought.
“Yeah, what about it?” Joseph asked, not quite understanding as he took in Queenie’s wide grin. Nicole had brought her son with her the last time she saw him, and Joseph had met the boy. He remembered he even called the boy a bastard then. Recalling the memory, he wanted to slap himself so badly.
“If you hadn’t told me last time that Nicole isn’t Lisa, I wouldn’t have embarrassed myself in front of her!” Joseph grumbled through gritted teeth. If it wasn’t for Queenie’s interference, he wouldn’t have gotten on Lisa’s bad side.
“Actually, Nicole’s kid is your son,” Queenie said languidly, unaffected by Joseph’s ranting.
Joseph froze then, disbelief written on his face. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he frowned. “What kind of crazy juice did you drink?”
“Did you sleep with a woman five years ago after having some wine?” Queenie asked steadily.
Joseph pretty much didn’t have a long-term partner. One would need more than two hands to keep track of all the women he had shared a bed with. He wouldn’t be able to remember if he did sleep with someone five years ago after having something to drink.
He leaned back then, and slung an arm over the back of the chair. “My memory doesn’t go that far back.”
“Bingo. Five years ago, Nicole slept with you. She went overseas shortly after, and when she came back, she had a son with her,” Queenie said languidly, her eyes boring into Joseph. She wanted to see his reaction.
