The car’s soundproofing was excellent. The wind outside was picking up, but all Zoe could hear was a ringing in her ears.
A bone-deep chill spread through her. The sensation of having narrowly survived an unknown, catastrophic danger made Zoe Lancaster’s eyes widen in disbelief. Cold sweat instantly broke out on her skin.
She hadn’t wanted the Hawthorne family to know that the twins in her womb were of Hawthorne blood. But right now, as the daughter-in-law of the Hawthorne family, if they believed she had an affair and became pregnant with another man’s children, they wouldn’t just use ruthless methods to get rid of the babies—they might even erase her from the face of the earth. Such a disgrace would never be allowed to exist.
It was only at this moment that it finally dawned on her just how vicious Peyton Joyce’s actions had been. Peyton had claimed to be helping her leave, but behind the scenes, she had deliberately sent Zoe near Miles Yates’s private residence. Peyton understood the Hawthorne family too well. Therefore, she wanted Zoe dead. Peyton Joyce truly had the heart of a viper!
The color drained from Zoe’s lips. Suppressing her lingering terror, she stared at the man in front of her. "Are you saying you didn’t even have the paternity test done? You just fabricated a fake report right from the start?"
Watching her expression change, a glint flickered in Simon Hawthorne’s eyes. "Yes, I didn’t."
As for why he hadn’t waited for the actual test results before swapping the report... Subconsciously, he simply didn’t want to face the truth.
Zoe, however, breathed a sigh of relief. This meant Simon still wouldn’t know the two children were his own flesh and blood. It also staved off whatever ruthless measures the Hawthorne family might have used against her. There were still more than two months left until their divorce agreement took effect. The babies would still be safe in her womb. Then, she could take them and fly far, far away to a place where the Hawthorne family could never find her.
She could feel the man’s hand resting on the back of her neck. Unable to evade his touch, she could only bite the bullet and speak. "You know perfectly well that the Hawthorne family’s methods are dirty, yet you went to such great lengths and used whatever means necessary to alter the report just to keep me by your side. Simon, you didn’t have to do any of this. Did you fall in love with me? Is that why you can’t bear to let me go?"
She knew that definitely wasn’t the case. It was just that the mere thought of Peyton’s actions made her sick to her stomach. She wished she could dig out that woman’s heart so Peyton could feel just how much it hurt!
The car fell silent for a moment. Simon kept his gaze fixed on her eyes. He was too deeply guarded; she could never see through his thoughts. After a brief pause, he wrapped his arm around her waist, pulled her into his embrace, and spoke in a slightly hoarse voice. "Yes, I can’t bear to let you go."
Zoe instantly froze.
He gently stroked her back. "Evie, be good. Just stay by my side from now on."
His words were so calm, yet they seemed to carry a trace of tenderness, as if she truly did hold a place in his heart. Zoe was inevitably captivated for a fleeting second.
But it was only a second.
She veiled the emotions in her eyes. Without struggling in his arms, she asked, "Then what about Peyton Joyce? Are you going to make her abort her child and send her away?"
The large hand resting on her back paused. A profound sadness settled in Zoe’s eyes, but she wasn’t surprised. She slowly pushed him away, turned, and curled up in the corner of the seat, staring out the window without another word.
Meanwhile, in Peyton’s room.
SMASH! CRASH!
A vase was violently hurled to the ground, shattering into pieces. The various bottles and jars on the vanity were swept onto the floor, creating a massive commotion.
The nanny knocked on the door anxiously. "Miss Joyce? What’s wrong? What happened?"
When Ryan Hawthorne arrived and saw the scene, he frowned and hurried to the door. "Peyton?! Open the door! What’s going on?"
Peyton sat on the carpet, her eyes bloodshot and filled with gloomy rage as she thought, "Why?! Why did things turn out this way today?! I was so close to getting rid of Zoe Lancaster once and for all!"
BANG!
The door was busted open.
Seeing the absolute mess inside, Ryan’s expression changed. He rushed forward and gathered Peyton into his arms. "Peyton, what’s wrong? Are you having another episode? I’ll take you to the hospital!"
Peyton grabbed his arm tightly, forcing down her hysterical urges. "Didn’t you promise me everything was taken care of? Didn’t you already swap the samples? Why did the paternity test still come back as a biological match!"
"How is that possible?" Ryan frowned. "I definitely arranged everything. Going through the proper channels, that result shouldn’t have been possible. Did someone tamper with it?"
The only person who could tamper with things at Kingsward Hospital without anyone noticing was... Peyton naturally thought of him too. Panic flashed in her eyes. "Did you cover your tracks? You didn’t leave any evidence behind, did you? If Simon finds out, with his temper, he won’t let this go easily!"
She couldn’t afford to take that gamble!
Ryan’s eyes hardened, and he gripped Peyton’s hand. "If he blames you over something like this, it just proves he doesn’t love you enough!"
"That’s nonsense!" Peyton shoved him away violently. As if a raw nerve had been struck, her face twisted in a momentary snarl. "Simon loves me! I’m the only one in his heart! How could any other bitch possibly find her way into his heart!"
Pushed aside, Ryan looked stunned, a hurt expression crossing his face. "Peyton? Do you not consider my feelings even a little bit?"
Meeting the man’s scrutinizing gaze, Peyton abruptly snapped back to reality. She still needed Ryan’s help, so she had to placate him. Instantly softening her demeanor, she threw herself into his arms with tears streaming down her face. "I was just panicking that Simon might discover we tampered with the test. Ryan, we grew up together. How could you ever doubt how important you are to me?
"You just need to handle the situation at Kingsward Hospital and make sure no evidence is left behind. I still have a backup plan for Zoe Lancaster. She may have dodged this bullet, but she won’t be able to escape what’s coming next! Ryan, you and I are in the same boat; we are the closest people to each other."
Ryan’s chest heaved. Feeling the soft press of her breasts against him, his Adam’s apple bobbed, and he reached out to grasp her. "Then prove it to me, Peyton. As long as you have a place for me in your heart, I’m willing to do anything for you."
Peyton frowned inwardly. Ryan was too difficult to deal with; if she showed any reluctance, he would become much harder to control. She would still need his help in the future.
Gritting her teeth, she looked at him with seductive eyes. She grabbed him by the collar and led him toward the bathroom. Leaving the door slightly ajar, she pressed her palms flat against his chest and slowly crouched down.
Until a sudden sound interrupted them.
THUD!
A noise came from the doorway.
The man, currently immersed in extreme pleasure, gave a violent shudder. Even Peyton’s heart skipped a beat. The two of them immediately looked out the door, only to lock eyes with the nanny’s terrified gaze.
The nanny had seen them!
Peyton’s face dramatically changed color. She fiercely wiped the corners of her lips, stood up, and pulled the door all the way open to face the nanny who had been by her side for quite some time. "Don’t misunderstand. It’s not what you think, Mrs. Miller."
It took Mrs. Miller a long time to process the scene. Her lips trembled. "Miss Joyce... You two..."
Mrs. Miller was reeling. She thought, "Isn’t she pregnant with Mr. Hawthorne’s child? When did she start sleeping with the young master of the second branch?"
"Nothing is going on between us!" Peyton tried hard to suppress the panic on her face. Staring menacingly at Mrs. Miller, she warned, "Don’t go spouting nonsense, do you understand? Otherwise... Mrs. Miller, you have a daughter, don’t you?"
Mrs. Miller’s eyes widened as a terrifying chill shot from her head down to her toes.
Later that evening.
Ultimately, Zoe and Simon parted on bad terms.
After returning to Somerset Gardens, he left immediately. She didn’t dilly-dally either; checking the time, she headed straight for Riverbend Tavern. Crystal Hayes was still waiting for her there.
When she arrived, Zoe instantly spotted Crystal over by the bar. Wearing a red strapless mini dress, Crystal was already dead drunk. She was standing on top of the stage, pointing at the crowd below. "I am putting out a matrimonial ad! We test-drive it in bed tonight, and if we’re both satisfied, we get our marriage license tomorrow!"