I guess he agreed to Gregory’s request.
“Ms. Stanhope, come with me,” Gregory pleaded eagerly. He used all his might to drag me with him after Anthony.
I had always had a soft spot for Gregory. Soon enough, I found myself in the private room reserved by Joseph. Emery had followed me here, though she purposely remained a few steps back, whispering furiously with Joseph.
Just as we sat down, Anthony gestured for Joseph to retrieve a laptop from his briefcase. He switched it on before handing it to Gregory, who rushed toward a nearby couch ecstatically with his gadget.
Once he confirmed that Gregory was preoccupied with the tablet, Anthony lifted his head and stared sharply at Emery and Joseph. He demanded sternly but softly, “Spit it out.”
Thanks to his muscular physique and naturally imposing aura, he seemed absolutely intimidating, though there was barely any anger displayed on his face.
I thought I could guess what he was talking about, though I wasn’t a hundred percent sure. I also stared intently at Emery.
Feeling dwarfed by his imposing aura, Emery blurted, “I want Sienna and Gregory to reunite with each other. Nothing in this world can stop a mother from reuniting with her own son!”
I wasn’t taken aback at Emery’s abrupt statement thanks to the bombshell she had dropped on me earlier.
My entire focus was on Anthony’s reaction.
Anthony happened to look toward me at the same time. His gaze lingered on me for a moment before he turned his head away.
Anthony lowered his eyes and sneered as if someone had told him a childish joke. “Then what?”
Emery continued on in that headstrong manner of hers. “She is your only wife.”
She seemed to realize she might have gone too far with that statement. She peered at Anthony cautiously.
Anthony seemed to be rather adept at hiding his emotions. His features had rearranged themselves into an expressionless mask once more. His silence was intimidating.
Emery tugged on the corner of my blouse worriedly, unable to suss out his true feelings. She seemed to be hinting at me to protect her if he made any unexpected moves.
I was confused at her immense faith in my ability.
Even if Gregory liked me, that didn’t mean Anthony would extend his kindness to me. Before figuring out the truth, Anthony would always think of me as a woman who approached his son with ulterior motives.
Frankly, I was less concerned about Anthony’s feelings than I was about the truth. I bit my lips briefly before I blurted, “I know Emery may sound unreliable, but I don’t think she has anything to gain from lying.”
Anthony barely flinched at my words, though I saw his eyes sharpen in focus as he pondered about my statement.
As long as he’s willing to listen, we’re one step closer to uncovering the truth.
I paused and glanced at Gregory.
He looked like an adult trapped in a small boy’s body. Enchanted by the lines of code on the laptop, he seemed to have a good hand in programming. His small lips were curved in a smile.
My whole heart softened at the sight. I couldn’t help but smile along with him. I suggested, “Actually, the solution is simple. Just let me do a DNA test with Greg, and we’ll have our answer soon enough.”
Now, everyone’s attention had turned to Anthony.
I couldn’t tell what he was thinking.
Feeling suffocated by the silence in the room, I started flicking my nails subconsciously.
Emery’s truth bomb was already hard for me to accept, let alone Anthony.
He’s the richest man in this country, and he has an upper-class fiancée. If Emery’s telling the truth, it’s going to give him a lot of problems.
A sudden thought crossed my mind. I asked Anthony, “Did you also forget about the past?”
Since Emery’s confession, I had placed all my attention on Gregory. I forgot all about my supposed relationship with Anthony.
After all, Anthony was nothing more than a despicable stranger that I had known for a few days. I thought Anthony planned to remain silent throughout this entire exchange. To my surprise, he threatened us. “Everything that’s been said in this room stays in this room. If even a word of this makes it out of here, don’t say I didn’t warn you about the consequences.”
This statement stunned me. I nodded eagerly after I understood his true intentions. “Don’t worry.”
Anthony was the face of the Featherstone Corporation. Anything that happened to him or his family could influence the survival of the corporation.
The engagement between the Zieglers’ daughter and Anthony was public knowledge. If the media found out about a son from his former wife that he had been secretly raising, share prices of the Featherstone Corporation could fluctuate out of control.
Suddenly, Anthony lifted his head and shot me a piercing stare. “You’re pretty good at acting, aren’t you? Did Alexander send you here?”
He knows Alexander? This means he still remembers our mutual friends. Though I must say, his tone is really hostile.
“What are you going on about?” I was perplexed at the malice he directed at me.
Yes, I may be your ex-wife, and yes, maybe we split up in an ugly mess. That doesn’t mean you should be this pissed off when I’m back after fighting at death’s door, right?
Anthony completely ignored my words as he turned to face Emery. He knocked his knuckles on the table rhythmically as he stated calmly, “Sienna’s obituary was published two years ago. If you’re trying to get something from me, try not to make such stupid mistakes.”
Emery froze as if Anthony had struck exactly at her weakness.
I was, however, utterly stunned.
I was dead two years ago?
A string of words flashed through my mind. The law states that once a person has been declared missing for four years, their immediate family or spouse can apply for their death certificate.
I lay on that bed for six years, but the obituary was only issued two years ago. The person who wanted to prove that I was dead had given up a long time ago. Once the four years were up, he or she immediately filed for the death certificate.
It was at this very moment that I understood what Marcus had meant. Just take it that Sienna no longer exists.
My head hurt from the unwelcome revelation. I looked at Anthony. The only people who can apply for a death certificate are my immediate family. Who did the deed? Was it my missing family or this indifferent man in front of me?
I was fairly certain from his expression that Anthony still held out hope for his wife’s survival.
My heart sank inexplicably as I processed the thought. There was an odd sort of ache in my chest.
But now’s not the time for me to be sad.
I regained my composure and stood up before addressing Anthony, “I don’t know what happened in the past, but you can see that I’m clearly alive now. I definitely have the rights and means to raise my own child, so I would like to spend some more time with Gregory.”
I truly believed that I could make up for lost time with my son.
Anthony lifted his head slowly and stared at me. The deepness in his gaze was chilling. “Did you not understand what I said earlier?”
He paused and glanced at Gregory before continuing impatiently, “I’ll make myself clear then. Gregory’s mom is dead. No matter how alike the two of you are, don’t ever fantasize about becoming her replacement. Trust me; you do not want to test my patience.”
His words confused and angered me. “Mr. Featherstone, you’re the delusional one. No one is trying to pass off as your wife. I am your wife. I’m Carlette.”
I pulled out the ID from my purse and showed it to him.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.