Chapter 40 Paternity Test

George asked, "Can't sleep?"

"Do you think marriage needs love?" Isabella replied.

George hesitated, "I guess so."

"Guess?" Isabella turned to him, "So, you're okay with a loveless marriage?"

"What are you getting at?" George asked, not wanting to be brushed off.

"Nothing," she said, holding back. "I need to talk to you."

"What's up?" he asked.

"I want to stay at my mom's for a few days. Is that okay?" Isabella said, trying to stay calm.

"Want me to come with you?" he offered.

Isabella shook her head, "I need some time alone."

"When are you leaving?"

"Maybe tomorrow."

"I'll drive you," he said.

"I'll take a cab," she declined.

George didn't push it, "Alright."

That night, they didn't speak.

Isabella got up early, packed a few clothes, and left the Spencer house with a small suitcase.

Her mom's old house was in an old villa district downtown. It was old but peaceful, making her feel refreshed.

Seeing the big tree and swing in the yard, Isabella felt like a kid again.

Since her mom passed, she hadn't been back. It looked the same but felt different.

She spent almost the whole day cleaning. After school, Elodie called Colin to help out.

"This yard's perfect," Elodie said, dusting off her hands. "How'd you get the Spencers to let you stay here?"

"They don't care about me enough to stop me," Isabella shrugged.

"Aren't they worried you'll cheat on George? Won't they be more suspicious now that you've moved out?"

'I don't know. No one stopped me. George isn't stupid; he knows better than Patricia if I'd cheat,' Isabella thought.

"Forget them. It's finally peaceful. Let's have a barbecue," Isabella suggested.

Elodie and Colin agreed.

Meanwhile, at Spencer Group, George, who'd been in meetings all day, had all the evidence of Joseph's crimes.

Caleb handed him another document, "Mr. Spencer, this shows Joseph's ties with foreign criminals. He also sold our confidential files to the Young Group while you were sick."

George waved him off, and Caleb left.

Before George's accident, he was in a passionate relationship with Juniper, known to everyone in Stellar City. Their love was the talk of the town.

But their pure love was tainted by Joseph.

Joseph, an illegitimate child of the Spencer family, had no right to inherit anything but refused to accept that. He always wanted to get rid of George, so he targeted Juniper, George's weak spot.

Back then, Juniper was an up-and-coming star. Though she was a socialite, she really wanted to make it in the entertainment industry.

Her career wasn't taking off as she hoped. She landed a role in a somewhat popular TV series, which gave her a bit of fame, but getting into a big director's film was still a dream.

Without George's help, Juniper felt even more frustrated. So, when Joseph offered her a big director's script, she was tempted.

Juniper ended up telling Joseph about George's travel plans, leading to an accident that almost killed George.

The most heartbreaking part for George was that the woman he loved conspired with another man to stage an accident that nearly took his life.

George pressed the intercom, and Caleb quickly came in. "Mr. Spencer?"

"Handle Joseph. Get back what the Young Group owes us, piece by piece," George said seriously.

Caleb nodded, "Yes, sir."

After Caleb left, George called Daniel. "Where are you?"

"In the lab, what's up?" Daniel sounded busy.

"Do I need an appointment to see you?" George lit a cigarette.

Daniel laughed, "I'm not as busy as you. I thought you newlyweds would want more time together. Didn't want to intrude."

"Good for you. Let's get to the point. How's the DNA test on that kid?" George asked.

"Juniper's keeping a close eye on him. It's hard to get a blood sample, even hair. We need an opportunity," Daniel said.

'A popular actress having an illegitimate child is a big scandal. Juniper doesn't seem to have the time for a kid. George was bedridden for 10 months. Wait, 10 months, could it be...' Daniel thought.

"That kid isn't yours, is it?" Daniel asked.

George was silent.

Daniel was shocked, "If it's your child with Juniper, what about Isabella?"

"I haven't thought that far," George said indifferently.

"You can't ignore it. Honestly, Isabella is great, much better than Juniper. Your taste before wasn't as good as your mom's," Daniel said.

"Why do you talk so much nonsense?" George snapped.

Daniel awkwardly shut up, "Alright, I'll find an opportunity. I heard Wesley Young has had some health issues recently, so it should be soon."

"Okay, let me know as soon as you have news."

"Got it."

'Juniper's child is three months old, plus the ten months I was bedridden, which means she got pregnant while we were still together. Is it my child? In the months before my accident, we were already on the verge of breaking up, and our relationship had hit rock bottom. We barely talked, and there was no intimacy. So, I'm sure the child isn't mine. But given Juniper and Joseph's previous conspiracy to harm me, I'm worried Juniper might have stolen my sperm to get pregnant. The DNA test is to rule out this possibility and prevent Juniper from using the child to blackmail me in the future,' George thought.