When Nicholas passed away, the Bloomer family was expected to fall apart instantly. After all, Jackson’s two brothers had their own hidden agendas. Without Jackson, the Bloomer family would be like a tiger without fangs, no longer a threat.
“Could it be that my father never saw the paternity test results?” After a long silence, Jackson asked, holding onto a last shred of hope.
“Harvey!” Josiah didn’t answer immediately but called out authoritatively towards the door.
Harvey hurried in upon hearing his name.
“I ask you, did you personally hand over the paternity test results to Nicholas?” Josiah asked in a deep voice.
“Yes, as per your instructions, I handed them to the master myself,” Harvey nodded quickly.
“Let me ask you again, did Nicholas know the contents?”
“He knew. I told him,” Harvey replied honestly, with his head lowered.
Before Josiah could say anything, Jackson’s face had already turned very grim.
“Forget it, it’s all in the past. Let’s not bring it up and make things difficult for everyone.”
“It was my oversight this time. I should have invited you and Leo separately. I was just worried you’d return to the army soon and in my haste, I forgot.”
Josiah looked apologetic.
“Josiah, I won’t stay for dinner. I just remembered something urgent. I’ll head back first.”
Jackson had no appetite for dinner anymore. He made an excuse and stood up to leave.
“Jackson, it won’t take long. Stay and finish dinner,” Josiah quickly stood up to stop him.
“No, I’ll go now.” Jackson glanced at Leo, hesitated to speak, then turned and walked out quickly.
“I’ll see you off…”
“No need.”
After Jackson left, Josiah put on a regretful expression and said to Leo, “Leo, look at this mess. It’s all my fault for not arranging things properly. Don’t take it to heart.”
Leo sneered internally but maintained a smiling facade and shook his head, “It’s fine. I didn’t expect Jackson from the Bloomer family to be unaware of this matter.”
“That’s good. Come on, let’s eat.” Josiah quickly invited Leo to eat.
After leaving the restaurant, Jackson drove straight home. The recent events had shaken him so much that his hands trembled slightly as he drove.
Upon arriving home, Jackson quickly walked to the water dispenser, filled a cup, and drank it down in one gulp.
“Weren’t you out for dinner? Why are you back?” Jenna was cooking in the kitchen. Hearing the noise, she came out and was surprised to see her husband.
Jackson asked with a stern face, “Are you hiding something from me?”
“Hiding something from you? What could I possibly hide from you?” Jenna was taken aback by his serious expression.
“Stop lying!” Jackson looked at Jenna with a pained expression and despair in his eyes. “The entire Bloomer family kept this from me, and even you did. I don’t know who I can trust anymore!”
Jenna’s body trembled upon hearing this and she immediately realized what her husband was referring to. Her voice quivered slightly, “You… you know? About that child?”
Seeing Jenna admit it, Jackson said in a deep voice, “If it weren’t for Josiah, I wouldn’t know how long you’d keep this from me!”
Jenna’s face changed at the mention of Josiah. As expected, it was Josiah causing trouble again.
She sighed helplessly and said in a low tone, “Even if I told you, what difference would it make? It would only give you false hope.”
“The test results showed he has no blood relation with our family…”
“Even now you’re lying! The results from the Meredith family clearly show he is related to the Bloomer family!” Jackson said angrily.
“What?” Jenna was shocked. She quickly walked over and grabbed Jackson’s arm excitedly, “The Meredith family’s results? Where are they? Let me see!”
“You don’t know?” Jackson was slightly stunned. Looking at his wife’s reaction, she didn’t seem to be lying.
“Know what? This is the first time I’m hearing about it.” Jenna’s face was full of urgency. “No one in the family knows. If Mom and Dad find out, they’ll be thrilled!”
At the mention of his father, Jackson’s face turned pale. His throat moved as if he wanted to speak but couldn’t. He staggered back a few steps and then held onto the wall for support.
He realized that if no one in the family knew about this, it must have been deliberately suppressed by his father.
His father didn’t want to acknowledge his son?
Jackson felt as if his heart was being pierced by thousands of arrows; the pain was unbearable!
“Jackson, what’s wrong?” Jenna quickly supported Jackson.
In her memory, apart from their son’s death, this was the first time she had seen Jackson show such sorrow.
With Jenna’s help, Jackson slowly sat on the sofa, looking utterly dejected.
After Jenna’s persistent questioning, Jackson finally explained everything to her.
Jenna was rational by nature. After hearing Jackson’s story, she didn’t rush to blame Nicholas but immediately understood Josiah’s malicious intent.
“The Meredith family has always been at odds with us. Do you know why Josiah did this?”
“Of course I do,” Jackson sneered.
If he couldn’t see through Josiah’s little tricks, he might as well leave the army early.
“I think Father didn’t tell us for the greater good.”
“Right now, my elder brother is at a crucial point in his career. The Meredith family is watching us like hawks and might seize any opportunity to cause trouble.”
“Today’s invitation was just a ploy to divide the Bloomer family.”
Jenna analyzed carefully.
“Even so, Father should have told me about this!” Jackson said with a frown.
“And what would you do if he did? Besides distracting you, what other outcome would there be?” Jenna said with some resentment.
She silently cursed Jackson for being foolish and not realizing he was being used as a pawn.
If he hadn’t volunteered for the border mission, he wouldn’t be in this situation now.
Now he was far from home and rarely saw his family.
“I…” Jackson was momentarily speechless.
Indeed, what could he do? Loyalty and filial piety have always been hard to balance. Since he chose to serve the country, sacrifices had to be made for his family.
“If he really is our son…” Jenna’s eyes reddened as she continued, “If he is, it’s better for him not to join the Bloomer family.”
“You’re not home to protect him. The Bloomer family is full of wolves and tigers who would devour him whole.”