A Winding Journey To Achieve Happiness

The next morning, I was taken to a private hospital run by Roberts Group.

We used the private entrance reserved for the elite throughout, avoiding any unnecessary encounters.

As my blood was drawn, I watched the dark red liquid flow into the test tube, feeling like I was waiting for my fate to be decided.

Liam sat on the nearby sofa, engrossed in his reports, not sparing me even a glance.

The three-hour wait for the results was the longest agony of my life.

I sat on the cold hospital bench, replaying the details of that night over and over in my mind— the blurred outline of that man, the familiar cedar-scented cologne, and the small mole on the back of the man's hand.

I stole a glance at Liam's hand resting on his knee.

The back of his hand was clean, devoid of any marks.

My heart sank into despair.

Oh no! I was doomed. I had lost the bet.

Just as I closed my eyes in desperation, bracing for the impending judgment, the doctor emerged with the report. "Mr. Roberts, the results are out."

Liam took the report, scanning it quickly.

I dared not look, keeping my head lowered, awaiting the storm's arrival.

"Let's go." His indifferent voice came from above.

I looked up in shock, meeting his unperturbed gaze.

"Where... where to?" I stammered.

"To get the marriage license," he answered.

My mind buzzed, exploding with disbelief.

Marriage license? So... he was the father of my baby?

I snatched the report from his hand, and there it was, clear as day. "Biological father-son relationship confirmed, probability 99.99%".

At that moment, tears of joy streamed down my face.

It really was him. The man from that night was truly him.

Perhaps I had the luckiest break of my life, actually stumbling upon him that night.

Leaving the City Hall, I still felt so surreal. The glaring sunlight made me feel a bit dazed.

I couldn't believe I had really married Liam, becoming the wife of Laurence's uncle.

Liam didn't give me much time to dwell on it; once in the car, he handed me a document. "This is the acquisition contract for Harper Group. Sign it, and the funds will be transferred immediately."

I opened the contract with trembling hands. The terms were so generous that it seemed more like charity than the acquisition of a bankrupt company.

I signed my name, tears once again falling onto the paper. "Thank you... Thank you so much."

Liam took back the contract, his voice cold. "Don't be too happy yet. Now that you're my wife, you have to fulfill the duties of Mrs. Roberts. There's a charity gala tonight, and Kristina will be there, too.

You know what to do."

I wiped away my tears, my gaze growing resolute. "I do. I'll make sure she understands who the matriarch of the Roberts family is."

That evening, dressed in the tailored gown Liam had sent, I entered the banquet hall on his arm.

All eyes instantly focused on us, whispers of shock and disbelief rippling through the crowd.

Laurence and Kristina were also present.

Seeing me appearing arm-in-arm with Liam, Laurence nearly crushed the wine glass in his hand.

Kristina's face twisted with jealousy, her gaze daggers aimed at me.

Liam led me straight to them. He swirled the champagne flute in his hand, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"Laurence, don't you know how to greet your elders?" Liam asked.

Laurence's face turned an ashen gray, veins bulging on his neck as he forced out two words through gritted teeth. "Good evening, Un-Uncle Liam."

Liam's gaze shifted to Kristina. "And you."

In fear, Kristina shrank back behind Laurence; her usual arrogance vanished. "G-Good evening, Mr. Roberts."

Liam chuckled, his arm tightening his grip on my waist.

"You greeted the wrong person. This is my wife. Remember to show proper respect when you see her in social circles," he said coldly.

Kristina's face flushed with embarrassment, seeking help from Laurence with pleading eyes.

Yet, Laurence dared not utter a beep.

As I watched the scene, the pent-up frustration in my heart finally eased a little.

I smiled at Kristina, my tone gentle yet sharp, "Miss Fletcher, I heard your role in the latest drama hasn't been decided yet, right? "What a coincidence! The largest sponsor in that drama just became Roberts Group."

Kristina's head shot up, panic written all over her face.

Her face turned pale on the spot, lips trembling as she looked at Laurence. "Laurence, please say something for me. I've been negotiating that role for half a year..."

Laurence shook off her hand in annoyance. "Shut up! Haven't you embarrassed yourself enough?"

He turned to me, eyes dark with malice. "Eliana, don't get too cocky. Do you think Uncle Liam really likes you? It's only because of the baby you are carrying. Once the child is born, see if Uncle Liam will even spare you a glance!"

Feeling a sting in my heart, I maintained a composed smile. "That's a concern for us to handle; no need for you to worry. After all, you are only Liam's nephew."

Liam seemed uninterested in hearing any more nonsense, guiding me away to mingle with others.