Old Mrs. Bloomer panicked when she saw Leo about to leave and reached out to him.
Jason quickly grabbed her hand back and whispered, “Mom, let him go. He’s not your grandson.”
“Wait!” Nicholas suddenly shouted with authority, “Josiah, you haven’t finished speaking. Why are you in such a hurry to leave?”
Josiah stopped and turned around.
“Dad! What are you doing?” Jason was visibly anxious.
Nicholas’s face twitched, and he said sternly, “What? Am I no longer in charge of the Bloomer family? Does my word mean nothing now?”
“Jason wouldn’t dare!” Jason immediately stood up, bowed his head, and said respectfully, “You will always be the head of the Bloomer family.”
“Dad, don’t misunderstand. That’s not what my brother meant,” Jacob quickly added in support of his brother.
Nicholas ignored them and turned to Josiah. “Josiah, it’s crucial to speak clearly. Since I still have a say in the Bloomer family, please clarify what you just said.”
“What do you mean by ‘not my grandson’ and ‘substitute’? What’s going on?”
Although Nicholas had retired for many years, his years of military service had instilled in him a sharpness and authority that remained.
His commanding tone made everyone uneasy, clearly demanding Josiah to explain himself.
The entire banquet hall fell silent, waiting for Josiah’s response.
“Grandpa, are we done yet? Can we eat?” Annabel suddenly shouted impatiently, slamming her chopsticks on the table.
“Sis!” Sheldon quickly pulled Annabel back. Despite being in her thirties, she still acted like a child.
“Jason, is this how you educate your children?” Nicholas asked coldly.
“You brat, get out!” Jason immediately pointed at Annabel and shouted angrily.
“Fine, I’ll leave! I don’t want to stay here anyway!” Annabel grabbed her bag and stormed out.
As she passed by Leo, she glared at him and muttered, “Country bumpkin!”
Leo’s mouth twitched. If it weren’t for the special occasion, he would have made Annabel pay for her words.
“Josiah, please continue,” Nicholas said, standing up and slowly walking to the center aisle, signaling Josiah to proceed.
Seeing Nicholas so serious made Josiah nervous. He could be reckless with Jason but not with Nicholas.
He forced a smile and said, “Uncle, I heard this from rumors. It’s not very credible…”
“No matter, just say it. Although I’m getting old, I can still distinguish right from wrong,” Nicholas said as he paced back and forth.
“The thing is, the child recovered from Langstel years ago was never DNA tested. He only resembled the second young master in build and clothing. Some speculate that the deceased might not be the second young master,” Josiah explained.
“Yes, the child’s appearance and skin were unrecognizable. The matching clothes could be a coincidence. But the jade pendant on that child was indeed from our Bloomer family. It belonged to my grandson…” Nicholas paused, his voice choked with emotion as painful memories resurfaced.
He pressed his lips tightly together and continued with difficulty, “That jade pendant was a birthday gift I gave my grandson when he turned one.”
“That’s the problem,” Josiah quickly interjected. “If that child was the second young master, fine. But if he wasn’t, how did the second young master’s jade pendant end up on that child?”
Everyone’s faces changed dramatically upon hearing this.
Josiah’s words implied that someone had deliberately taken the second young master’s jade pendant and placed it on a substitute child.
In other words, someone wanted the Bloomer family to believe that the second young master was dead.
“I understand what you’re saying,” Nicholas said with a grim expression. “But who did this? And why?”
“Uncle, I don’t know. You’ll have to figure that out yourself,” Josiah replied cautiously.
Even if he had suspicions, he wouldn’t dare voice them without evidence.
“Dad, I think these are just baseless rumors made up by bored people. Who would do such a thankless task?” Jason said.
“Besides, who would have the guts to mess with someone from the Bloomer family?” Jason added.
“Jason makes a good point. Dad, we should take this with a grain of salt,” Jacob agreed quickly.
Then he glanced at Leo and continued, “Even if that child wasn’t Leon Bloomer, we can’t be sure this young man is Leon Bloomer.”
“That’s simple. A paternity test will solve it,” Baldwin suggested.
“But Jackson isn’t in the capital,” Jacob said, looking at Jenna Key. “How about testing him with Jenna…”
“Nonsense! We need to determine if he’s a Bloomer, not if he’s related to the Key family,” Jason interrupted sternly.
“Brother, what do you mean? Are you saying I was unfaithful to Jackson?” Jenna Key shouted angrily at Jason.
“Jenna, I know you well enough. I’m worried… worried Jackson might have wronged you!” Jason sighed.
“I know my husband well. He would never do such a thing!” Jenna Key said firmly.
After so many years of marriage, she believed in Jackson Bloomer’s loyalty to her.
Leo couldn’t help but glance at Jenna. She had a beautiful face with bright and clear eyes and an air of determination that suggested a military background.
“Nicholas can do it. It might be more complicated but doable,” Baldwin continued.
“Fine, I’ll do it. Even if it’s not 100% certain, there should be some genetic connection if he’s my grandson,” Nicholas agreed.
Hearing this, Old Mrs. Bloomer felt relieved and looked at Leo with gratitude.
She had a strong premonition that this young man was indeed her grandson.
“Alright then. Since Dad has decided, let’s go to the hospital this afternoon. For now, let’s start the meal!” Jason said, seeing his father’s decision was final.