The test results had proved William’s doubt the day before was right.
Although he had expected the result, William was still shocked when he heard it from Marcus. He couldn’t help but ask, “Are you sure?”
“Yes, Mr. Howard,” Marcus affirmed. “What should we do next?”
William sighed and murmured, “I don’t know anymore… I need some time to think about it. Ah… D*mn it…”
After a while, he realized something and said, “Since Savannah isn’t Raymond’s mother, we need to know if Archer is his father.”
Without giving Marcus a chance to speak, William continued, “We have to put Raymond and Archer through a kinship test. Or, just to be sure, we should just run a paternity test with Raymond and Archer’s DNA samples.”
“Yes, sir, I’m on it. But there aren’t many strings we can pull around Sir Archer. I might need more time,” Marcus admitted.
“It’s fine. Take your time. There are more pressing problems than that now. Didn’t Archer and Natalie break up because Savannah got pregnant and he needed to marry her? If Raymond isn’t Savannah’s son, where is her baby? Or was it just a part of a very elaborate plan?” William asked aloud.
“Mr. Howard,” Marcus exclaimed in disbelief. “Do you think Madam Savannah wasn’t pregnant at the time she married Sir Archer?”
“I don’t see why not. Savannah did everything she could to marry Archer, that’s for sure. But just how did she manage to pull the stunt? It isn’t easy to hide from so many people,” William was puzzled.
“Maybe only the Saunders family is kept in the dark?” Marcus suggested. “And your family knows it all along?”
“My dad? Covering up for Savannah? Isn’t it a little too ridiculous? I mean, all this trouble just to separate Archer and Natalie, then marry Savannah to Archer?” William sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Wait… Natalie gave birth to a stillborn, right? Do you think Savannah played a part in it?”
Marcus agreed, “That’s entirely possible. If Madam Natalie’s child was living and healthy, in no way was Sir Archer going to marry Madam Savannah. After all, he loves Madam Natalie more than anything. Why would he choose Madam Savannah over her if they were both pregnant?”
With so much more to learn about the past, William felt that it was such a shame that he was too young when the affair unfolded.
After all, it wouldn’t be easy for him to gather information from those of the same age as Savannah and Archer. Besides, it wasn’t like he could just boldly ask them what he wanted to know. He needed to do this more discreetly.
In his mind, William began to pick out the people who might be involved in the plan of action. Apart from those from the Howard family and the Saunders family, Ronald and Julie’s names were high up on the list.
Since Julie was still under intensive care, William could only go to Ronald. So, he instructed Marcus to make an appointment for him with Ronald on that day.
After he hung up the call, he stayed in the study for a long time until he heard noises from outside.
It was Valeria, who had already woken up and left their bedroom. She was looking for William, “William? Hubby?!”
Smiling, William walked out from his study and purred, “Good morning, sunshine.”
“William! What happened yesterday? I remember I got dizzy, and Abbie said she was dizzy too. Then… We fainted…? But I woke up and saw you, right? I was so uncomfortable… What’s wrong with me?” Valeria blurted out.
William pulled her into his arms and soothed her, “Someone spiked your drinks and tried to ruin Raymond and your reputation. Luckily I got there in time.”
“Raymond and me? Who would do that!?” Valeria’s face turned red in anger.
“I’m guessing Charles and Savannah,” William rubbed Valeria’s shoulders to calm her down. “There are already people looking into this. Don’t worry. There’ll be hell to pay if it were really them.”
“Why would they try to harm us?” Valeria asked, irritated. “Ridiculous! Isn’t Savannah Raymond’s mom? Why would she turn against her son?”
“Some people just aren’t wired the same way. Like how Ronald turned against you, Savannah might be the same as well.”
“What has this world become!? Parents are supposed to protect their children, not set against them! Since Ronald and Savannah are both so evil, they should be together so that they won’t harm the others,” Valeria complained. Her blood was already boiling.
Upon hearing Valeria’s words, William cocked his brows.
No doubt, he felt challenged by Savannah when she had the nerve to lay her fingers on Valeria. Savannah was looking for trouble, and she must learn her lesson, although so far, he hadn’t figured out how.
Savannah was looking for trouble, and she must learn her lesson, although so far, he hadn’t figured out how. However, Valeria’s words gave him an idea. A very bold one at that.
Meanwhile, it was already noon when Raymond woke up. Bobby had already prepared breakfast for him, and after Raymond finished it, Bobby prompted, “Sir Raymond, maybe you should check your phone. Someone called you so many times, I had to mute it.”
Listening to that, Raymond checked his phone and saw that there were countless missed calls from Savannah and Gavin.
He first returned Gavin’s call, who was very mad at him, “Raymond! You said you’re coming back to have breakfast with me today. Why didn’t you show up?”
“I’m sorry, Grandpa. I overslept,” Raymond apologized.
“That’s all?” Gavin asked unhappily.
“I’ll make up to you tomorrow,” Raymond answered meekly. Since he sounded sincerely apologetic, Gavin didn’t stay angry at him.
After Raymond ended the call with Gavin, he called Savannah. And there was a hint of unease in her voice. “Thank goodness you finally called back!” she exclaimed. “I’m so worried. Why didn’t you pick up any of my calls?”
“I can’t, Mom. Something happened last night,” Raymond replied.
Savannah asked immediately, “What’s wrong?”
“Someone drugged us when I was having dinner with Abbie. Luckily, Richard hired bodyguards for Abbie, and they saved us. Otherwise, I can’t begin to imagine what the consequences could be.”
“Oh no! Are you okay then?” Savannah sounded shocked to hear that.
“They sent us to the hospital in time, so I’m fine, Mom. Nothing you should worry about,” Raymond said hastily. He was afraid that she might start to ask something else.
“Thank heavens you’re alright,” she heaved a breath of relief. But then she sounded angry, “Do you know who did this to you? Also, why? That’s so messed up!”
“I don’t know anything yet, but Richard is on it. I’ll update you if there’s anything new.”
“Are you really okay? Where are you? Maybe I should go and see you.”
“No, Mom. It’s fine. The doctor had already sent me home to rest, so you don’t have to come over.”
“Well, then… Take care!”
And with that, Savannah hung up.
Raymond frowned. Although he didn’t want Savannah to visit him, it was strange that she only called after knowing that he was drugged. She didn’t even insist on coming to see him.
As a mother, Savannah’s behavior was surely untypical.