Chapter 3

I saw through Esther's intentions immediately, but I didn't let it show. Gently freeing myself from her embrace, I said, "Next week is the company's celebration dinner. I'll make the announcement then."

Esther's eyes lit up. She quickly concealed her excitement and faked an affectionate tone. "Once Jon takes over the company, you won't be as busy anymore. Then, we can travel abroad together and relax."

I watched her performance with quiet amusement and said nothing.

Soon, the day of the company's dinner arrived. The venue was packed and lively. I stepped onto the stage to deliver my speech. Near the end, I announced that Jonathan would be taking over the company, then signed the share transfer documents on the spot.

As thunderous applause erupted throughout the hall, William suddenly walked onto the stage and headed straight toward me. He took out a paternity test report and handed it to me.

"Years ago, I also tried to have a child through IVF," he said. "But the hospital mixed up our samples. Jon is my biological son. Give him back to me."

The entire room erupted in shock. People immediately began whispering among themselves.

"How could this happen? Mr. Barkley raised Jonathan and turned him into a brilliant businessman. I can't imagine how much effort that must've taken."

"His uncle is actually his biological father? This is insane!"

"Mr. Barkley just handed the company over to Jonathan, and now this guy suddenly shows up claiming Jonathan's his son. Doesn't that seem a little convenient?"

Jonathan stood frozen in place, unable to believe what he was hearing.

I looked at William and smiled calmly. "If Jonathan is your son, then I'll return him to you."

My parents hurried onto the stage. "Sean, let's investigate this properly before making any decisions."

"Exactly. How could Jon possibly be William's son? The procedure was done in a legitimate hospital. There has to be some kind of mistake. Maybe that paternity test is fake."

"There's no need to investigate," I said flatly. "Jon really is William's biological son. I had a paternity test done when he was born. We're not related by blood."

William stared at me in disbelief. "You did a paternity test the moment Jon was born?"

The crowd was equally stunned. They couldn't understand my reasoning. If I'd known from the start that Jonathan wasn't my son, why had I raised him as my own, and even handed him the company's shares?

Someone asked, "Mr. Barkley, if you already knew Jonathan wasn't your son, why did you keep it a secret? Why raise him as your own?"

William said with disdain, "Isn't it obvious? He couldn't have children himself, so he wanted to keep my son for his own. Luckily, I found out the truth and got my son back."

Esther walked up to me and slapped me across the face. "Sean Barkley, I never looked down on you because you couldn't have children. The hospital mixing up the samples was an accident. But you lied to me all these years and treated me like a fool. I want a divorce!"

I knew exactly why she was striking first. She wanted to hide her own guilt and use the opportunity to ask for a divorce.

"Esther, everyone else may not know the real reason why we couldn't have children, but you do."

A flicker of panic flashed in her eyes. She couldn't even meet my eyes.

Staring at her, I spoke clearly. "The reason we couldn't have children wasn't that I was infertile. It was because you put drugs in my milk every single day!"

Esther froze. When she recovered, she protested in a panic. "I did no such thing! Don't blame your own problems on me."

William stepped forward to defend her. "I know my sister better than anyone. She would never do something like that."

I looked at him and laughed. "Of course you know her well. You've been sharing a bed with her this whole time."

William's face instantly went pale. He lowered his head and put on a hurt expression. "Sean, I know you're upset because I've taken Jon back, but you can't slander us like this. Esther and I are innocent."

Esther glared at me furiously. "Will is my brother. Stop trying to ruin his reputation. The hospital mixed up the IVF samples. It's not Will's fault."

Below the stage, several employees who happened to be Esther's relatives immediately chimed in.

"Yeah. They're siblings. There's no way they'd have that kind of relationship."

"He's just bitter because William is taking Jonathan back, so now, he's trying to smear his name!"

The more they talked, the more worked up they got. One of them picked up a slice of cake from the table and hurled it at me. "Sean, you're shameless!"

"You've gone too far! The Small family isn't one you should offend!"

Esther and William watched me with smug expressions, as though they thought victory was already in their hands.

But I remained calm, looking at them with a cold smile.

I had tolerated them for years. Today, it was finally time to settle the score.