“Sebastian, Octavia did come to see me back then. She asked about your mother’s whereabouts, but I truly didn’t know anything, so she left. Later, I heard she went abroad, and I even checked her flight records. It confirmed that she did go abroad,” Raymond explained anxiously.
“Then why was Octavia found in the tower?” Sebastian asked coldly. “If you didn’t give Marcus the orders, would he dare to do something like that?”
Raymond suddenly turned to look at Grace, and without saying a word, slapped her across the face.
“It’s all your fault! You, this woman, you’re the one who gave the orders, right? What other wicked things have you and Marcus done together? Speak up!” Raymond demanded, his voice sharp with anger.
Grace’s mouth started bleeding from the slap, but she laughed manically. “Go ahead, kill me if you can! I’ll never say a word, not even if you beat me to death!”
Sebastian’s eyes grew colder as he observed the chaos. He was waiting to see how long they could keep up the performance. Grace had gone mad, and Sebastian ordered the police to take Marcus and Grace away.
“Take them away for interrogation.”
“Understood,” Felix responded, leading the two main suspects out.
“Mom! Mom…” Hazel cried out, panic in her voice as she saw her mother being taken away. “Dad, you have to save her!”
“Save her? How many bad things has your mother done?” Raymond snapped.
“I don’t believe my mother is like that! It’s all of you who are framing her!” Hazel shouted, pointing at Molly, and the two women quickly began arguing.
“Enough! Stop fighting!” Raymond shouted, silencing them before turning to Sebastian. “Sebastian, come to my study. I have something to say.”
Raymond spoke as he stormed out of the room, and Sebastian took a deep breath, following him. Tyler and the others also left with them.
Once they were out of earshot, Beatrice sighed and shook her head. “How did Octavia end up at The Vanderbilt Family? What kind of sin have we committed?”
Vincent, who rarely got involved in family matters, had just returned to the country and hadn’t expected so much trouble at home-especially since everything seemed to revolve around his mother. It made him feel ashamed to face his family.
**In the Study.**
Sebastian followed Raymond into the study, his eyes never leaving his father’s back.
Raymond turned around and asked, “Where is Octavia now? Did you find her? Has she said anything to you?”
“Where Octavia is, do you think I’ll tell you?” Sebastian sneered. “Do you want to know what she said to me? Are you afraid she might tell me the truth?”
Raymond looked at his son and sighed, “Sebastian, don’t be deceived by appearances. What you see may not be the truth.”
“I know, not everything I see is the truth! But tell me, what secret have you been hiding from Mom?” Sebastian stepped forward, his gaze full of hatred.
“I don’t have any secrets. Is this something Octavia told you?” Raymond’s tone remained calm.
“You can’t trust anything Octavia says.”
Sebastian grabbed Raymond by the collar, his eyes burning with hatred. “Say it! I’m giving you a chance! Speak up! Is my mother missing because of you, or did you have a hand in her death?”
“Sebastian, calm down!” Raymond tried to calm him, but Sebastian swung his fist, landing a powerful blow to his father’s face.
Raymond staggered back, crashing into the desk, and items fell to the ground in a heap.
“My mother disappeared only recently, and you-The Gilbert Family-opposed it! You married that woman, Grace!”
“Even if Grace’s conspiracy was deep, how could she and Marcus have been able to do all these things under your nose for so many years?” Sebastian’s voice trembled with fury.
“The only explanation is that they were emboldened by your protection, and you were the one pulling the strings behind the scenes!”
Raymond’s face faltered, and he tried to explain, “You think I directed them to harm you? You’re my son. How could I do something like that?”
“I believe Grace was the one behind the snake and the fire!” Sebastian shouted. “But I believe my mother’s disappearance is something you orchestrated. Only by getting rid of her could you marry that woman, right?”
“It’s not as you think…” Raymond tried to argue.
“Stop lying! Ever since my mother disappeared, you’ve changed drastically. It’s not that you’ve changed-it’s because you’re not even my real father! You’re an imposter! Do you dare take a paternity test?”
Raymond looked stunned for a moment, but then he sighed and said, “Is it really necessary? My personality changed because of your mother’s disappearance. Do you really think I’m not your father?”
“Sebastian, your paranoia is getting worse! You don’t trust anyone. If you keep this up, it’ll only bring you pain.”
“Heh… You were the one who told me, ‘What you see may not be the truth!'”
Sebastian sneered. When it came to his mother’s disappearance, there was no room for negotiation. As long as he had doubts, he would verify them.
“Since you doubt me so much, fine, I’ll go with you to the paternity test!”
“Hmph!” Sebastian stormed out of the study, and they all got into cars, heading straight to the testing center.
**At the Testing Facility.**
At the facility, both father and son underwent blood tests for the paternity test.
“Sebastian, once the report comes back, you’ll understand I haven’t lied to you,” Raymond said, before leaving the facility.
He got into his car and ordered his assistant, “No matter what it takes, find Octavia as quickly as possible.”
“Yes, sir.”
Raymond narrowed his eyes and took a deep breath.
Back at the testing facility, Sebastian’s face was like ice. He turned to Adams and said, “Adams, you have one day to get me the results. I want them as fast as possible!”
“Yes, yes! We’ll work overtime and ensure the results are ready within a day!” Adams replied, not daring to delay.
Sebastian arranged for Tyler to stay at the facility to oversee things, preventing Raymond from secretly tampering with the results. His mind was still heavy with thoughts. While Grace and Marcus had been dealt with, the truth behind his mother’s disappearance still remained unknown. He needed to continue investigating.
Once the paternity results came in tomorrow, at least he would know for sure if Raymond was truly his father.
Back at The Vanderbilt Family estate, Molly was waiting on the road for Sebastian’s return. When she saw him, she hurried over and asked, “How did it go? What did you and Dad talk about? Where did you go afterward?”
“Don’t ask anymore. Once I’ve uncovered all the truth, I’ll tell you everything,” Sebastian replied, his mood agitated.
Not wanting to discuss it further, he tried to walk away, but Molly stopped him again, saying, “Wait, wait, I need to compliment you! You did a great job today! You caught that wicked woman Grace! It’s like punishing evil and eliminating wrongs! Very impressive!”
“Enough, go do your thing,” Sebastian replied curtly as he brushed past her.
But then, Molly asked, “Oh, and by the way, I have some new information about Caitlin. Do you want to hear it?”
At the mention of Caitlin, Sebastian stopped dead in his tracks.