The couple indulged in a little romance until Serena realized that they were not en route to Brynfield.
“To the villa on the hilltop.”
“Oh,” Serena remarked.
Zack stared at her with a worried look, afraid she might be displeased or not like it.
The villa on the hilltop did not leave Serena the best of memories.
Zack held Serena captive in the estate for two days after the revelation of his identity. He was afraid to lose her, but it took everybody to talk sense into him before he could let go and allow her to leave.
Since the day she set foot out of the villa, Serena had never returned to the place.
“Seren, we don’t have to go if you don’t like it there. I’ll get the driver to switch course for Brynfield.”
After a pause, he mumbled under his breath, “Nana is still staying in Brynfield.”
Serena replied, “We can go to the villa on the hilltop. No need to switch routes.”
The guy must think that he might startle Grandma May in Brynfield when letting loose in the bedroom.
Serena did not want to disturb the old lady either.
While the incident at the estate did not leave a lasting trauma on Serena, she would be brought back to the time upon entering the place.
It was a good thing that all that was in the past.
She had to face her fears.
Serena could understand his madness and paranoia from back then since the incident was behind them now.
“Okay.”
Seeing that she did not object to returning to the villa, Zack let out a sigh of relief.
He was more comfortable living on the estate as that was his living quarters for a few years. Zack had only taken residence in Brynfield for several months.
“Did Mrs. Newman look for you?” Zack suddenly asked.
Mr. Newman rushed back to Wiltspoon when he got word that Carrie was detained. He nearly passed out in anger when he learned the whole thing from his wife. His daughter let the situation get the best of her.
He could not believe his daughter would come up with such a thing.
It had to be a foolproof plan if Carrie wanted to go up against Serena. At least, Carrie must make sure the evidence would not be traced back to her before making her move.
The stunt Carrie pulled was flawed, to say the least. She even made personal contact with the thugs.
Mrs. Newman knew that her daughter acted recklessly. However, she only found out after the deed was done. It was too late to stop Carrie.
It never crossed Mrs. Newman’s mind that Serena could fight. These thugs did not even leave a scratch on her.
Besides, Zack had hired bodyguards to protect Serena in the shadows.
Had Mrs. Newman known that her daughter would act on impulse, she would have stopped her.
It was what it was. Plus, Serena had proof. Despite Mrs. Newman’s heartache and desperation to save her daughter, she could do nothing.
Mrs. Newman would have everything sorted if they were faced with an ordinary person.
It was a different story because the person they were targeting was Mrs. York.
“No. Did Mr. Newman come looking for you?”
“Yes. He came with gifts to apologize again, but I wouldn’t meet with him. I told Callum to handle it.”
Since Callum would have to engage with the Newmans in the near future, he could use the practice by dealing with the matter.
Poor Callum.
“I wouldn’t be so kind as to forgive Carrie even if Mrs. Newman came to me. To be kind to the enemy is to be cruel to myself.
“The feud between Carrie and I is past reconciliation.”
Serena took Camryn’s side too, and Carrie had it in for Camryn. The fact that they took different stands determined that they were on opposing sides.
“No need to patch things up with her. She’s spoiled and thinks she should get her way in everything. She’ll always hold a grudge even if you forgive her. She’ll get even with you every chance she gets. There’s no point resolving things with someone who doesn’t think they’re wrong.”
Zack showed his tyrannical side. “Don’t worry about it, Seren. You have me. I won’t let my wife be wronged. No need to be scared or grovel to anyone!”
Serena uttered with a smile, “Even if I’m not your wife, I have my principles. Why should I relent when I did nothing wrong? If she can do it to me, she can do the same to anyone. I got the law to punish her. While it might not change her attitude, it could serve as a lesson. to stop her from playing with lives.”
Putting on a solemn face, Serena added, “I just hope you don’t think I overstep my boundaries and give you problems.”
Zack nibbled on her face. “I don’t think so. I’m happy to clean up after you and take away your problems for a lifetime.”
“You talk as if I often get myself into trouble.”
Zack chuckled.
“I need to talk to you about something. My grandparents spread some rumors in my hometown, saying that my dad isn’t their son. Apparently, they found him somewhere and raised him. They said my dad should be grateful that they raised him, but he died before he could repay my grandparents, so they deserved my dad’s inheritance.”
Zack asked, “Do you need help to investigate whether your father is their biological son?”
“I have no doubt my dad is their son. My dad has an uncanny resemblance to Granddad and the only explanation for this is their blood relation.”
Serena never doubted that her father was not a Hunt.
“I would believe them if they dragged me to do a DNA test to prove we’re not related. Otherwise, it’s all a ruse.”
Zack fell silent for a moment before uttering, “You can never be too sure about things. Some people might look alike even though they are not related by blood. Have you read the news? There’s a child who resembles a wealthy man, but they’re not related at all.
“Your father might look like Old Mr. Hunt, but they might not be biologically related. No parents would be so emotionally detached as your grandparents were from your father and mother. There’s a possibility that they found and raised your father.”
Serena remarked, “The townspeople would know if it’s true. Many from the older generation are still around. My sister and I have never heard anything about my dad not being their biological son.”
Pursing his lips, Zack said, “You probably don’t know that Ben’s wife, Jane, was adopted by the Murphy family. The Murphies had a daughter and intended the name for their daughter, but their daughter fell sick and left the world. They found Ben’s wife when their daughter passed away.
“They brought her home to replace their daughter. Since both girls were of the same age, the townspeople had no idea of the switcheroo. They always thought Ben’s wife was the Murphies’ biological daughter.”
Serena commented, “Do you think this is the same case with my dad?”
Zack answered, “Yeah. There’s no harm in looking into it. They must be really biased parents if your dad turns out to be their biological son. If he isn’t, then it would explain their attitude.”
“Why bother with an investigation? Just ask Noah to get here. I’ll do a DNA test with him. The test should still show something since we have the same grandfather.”
Poor Noah. He was always the first person to pop into Serena’s head.
Zack gave it a thought before saying, “It sounds like a good plan. The DNA test is the most direct approach and compelling evidence.
“I’ll send someone to bring him here. You can get a DNA test with him. You can slam the evidence in their face during the trial unless Noah isn’t their grandson.”
Serena said, “Um… What if Noah isn’t their grandson…”
Zack was speechless.
The couple’s minds went blank.
In the end, Zack said, “Just get a DNA test with your grandfather. The old man is not going to cooperate for sure. Here’s where Noah can come into place. He can get a few strands of hair from your grandfather. The hair follicles have to be intact to do the DNA test.”
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.