Chapter 3

I stared hard at the young man.

His features did resemble Old Mr. Tanner’s more closely than mine did.

Even the mole beneath his right cheekbone matched a trait that had run in the Tanner family for generations.

Old Mr. Tanner’s hands began to tremble.

His clouded eyes instantly filled with tears.

“Sean.”

He pulled the young man into his arms.

The man’s eyes reddened as well. He gently patted Old Mr. Tanner’s hunched back.

Once his emotions had settled, Old Mr. Tanner wiped away his tears.

“Reed, how did you find him? After all these years, I’d nearly given up hope.”

Jenna stepped forward with a warm smile.

“Grandpa Tanner, my father never forgot that you asked him to find your missing grandson. Over the years, we searched through public records, investigated old files, and hired private detectives.

“We spent millions and searched across three different states.

“Eventually, we found him in a small town in the Northwest.”

Old Mr. Tanner nodded, his hands still trembling with excitement.

“Good. Very good. You’re a wonderful girl.”

I laughed coldly to myself.

So Jenna and Archie had been working together all along.

They’d certainly planned far ahead.

Jenna turned toward me, and her tone changed.

“Grandpa Tanner, there’s something else you should know. That man over there is actually my boyfriend.”

Old Mr. Tanner frowned.

“What do you mean?”

Jenna sighed, putting on a guilty expression.

“I didn’t want to say anything, but I’m afraid that if I stay quiet, he’ll keep making mistakes until it’s too late.

“We’ve been together for three years. When we first met, he told me he’d grown up in an orphanage and had never known what it felt like to have parents who cared about him.”

Her eyes reddened on cue.

“One day, while I was comforting him, I happened to mention that the Tanner family’s grandson had been missing for years. I said that the poor child had grown up without his parents and might still be suffering somewhere.

“After hearing that, Chase became obsessed with the idea that he might be the Tanner family’s missing grandson.

“Soon after that, he disappeared.

“I didn’t see him again until today. When I ran into him outside, he told me he’d prepared everything and planned to sneak into the Tanner family and steal the identity of the Tanner heir.”

By the time she finished, she was sobbing so hard she could barely speak.

“I never imagined he would become like this. I’m only telling you now because I want you to stop him and help him see the error of his ways.”

I looked at Jenna and nearly laughed out loud.

With acting skills like hers, it was a shame she’d never become an actress.

Before I could defend myself, Old Mr. Tanner’s face darkened.

“This young man is a liar. He’s greedy, vain, and rotten to the core!”

He turned to the bodyguards.

“Drag him away and teach him a lesson!”

Two bodyguards in black immediately stepped forward and seized me by the arms.

Evelyn panicked.

She rushed over in tears and tried to shield me.

“Dad, that boy may look like Sean, but I’m a mother. I could never fail to recognize my own son!”

Jenna smiled faintly.

“Mrs. Tanner, I already told you that Chase grew up in an orphanage. Why won’t you believe me?

“If your maternal instincts are really that strong, how did you lose your child in the first place?”

Archie sneered.

“You’ve been defending this impostor all day. Are you working with him to steal Grandpa’s fortune?”

Evelyn was left speechless.

All she could do was watch helplessly as the bodyguards dragged me away.

I remained perfectly calm.

“Do whatever you want to me. But before you condemn me, don’t I at least deserve to know the truth?

“A DNA test isn’t difficult.”

Seizing the opportunity, Evelyn dropped to her knees and repeatedly slammed her forehead against the floor.

“Dad, please test him just once. That’s all I’m asking!

“If he isn’t my son, I’ll take my own life and join Sean so I can beg his forgiveness!”

She continued striking her forehead against the floor until blood soaked into the carpet.

Old Mr. Tanner gripped his cane, breathing heavily.

After a long silence, he finally spoke.

“You were the person Sean loved most while he was alive.

“For his sake, I’ll allow this one last time.”

The doctor began collecting the samples with trembling hands.

The comments flooded my vision again.

“The male lead has no idea how hard Jenna is trying to protect him! She discovered that Old Mr. Tanner would kill his biological grandson, so she put on this entire act!”

“What a clueless idiot! He deserves whatever happens to him!”

“Just apologize and run! Jenna has gone this far to save you. Stop being so ungrateful!”

I ignored the comments and firmly rolled up my sleeve so the doctor could take my sample.

From the corner of my eye, however, I saw Jenna and Archie whispering to each other.

Their pale expressions gradually relaxed.

Then they both began to smile.

Several hours later, the doctor returned carrying a sealed envelope.

“Sir, the results are ready.

“The results are definitive.”

I raised my head.

Everyone in the room held their breath.