The Scorned Heiress: No More Mercy novel Chapter 711

"Dad, there has to be some kind of misunderstanding. Jade has been with us for so many years. Even if she doesn't share the Dennis bloodline, she is still your adopted daughter." Alec's voice is thick with desperation, entirely unable to grasp his father's sudden cruelty. "Isn't this actually a good thing? If Mom knows you don't have an illegitimate daughter, she'll definitely be relieved."

Alec simply cannot bear to see Jade thrown out onto the streets. If his father knew about this all along, why keep it a secret? In Alec's naive mind, Jade not being the product of an affair means they can all go back to their perfect, peaceful lives.

"If you say one more word in defense of that woman, I will kick you out of the Dennis family right alongside her," Charles warns, his voice deadly soft. "I'll strike your name from the family registry myself."

The Dennis family can afford to lose a fool.

That chilling threat snaps Alec's mouth shut instantly. Suddenly, he realizes Jade's place in his heart has a very firm limit. Forced to choose between his status as a Dennis heir and protecting her, his survival instinct kicks in without hesitation.

Jade slumps against the wall, her face drained of color. Her knuckles are stark white as she crushes the paternity report in her trembling hands. She refuses to believe that the prestigious 'Dennis bloodline' she has flaunted her entire life is nothing but a twisted lie. Jovani, the mother who constantly claimed to love her and pave her way to greatness, has been deceiving her from the very beginning.

It's impossible. There has to be a reason.

Without a single word, Jade scrambles to her feet and bolts out of the hospital corridor. Staying here is pointless; she needs to confront her mother and rip the truth out of her.

Charles doesn't care in the slightest that Jade is running off to confront Jovani. Once he finishes dealing with the mess here, he plans to settle the score with Jovani himself.

She is the only person in the hospital who isn't shocked by today's drama. What does surprise her, however, is the time and place Charles chose to drop the bomb about Jade's parentage. He has to know that Jade's first instinct will be to run straight to Jovani.

Isn't Charles worried about tipping Jovani off? He has played the long game and tolerated that woman for years. Why break character now? Is there a deeper scheme in motion?

For the first time, Tara realizes she can no longer read the man who is supposed to be her father.

"Then go home and get some proper rest," Charles says, offering a weary but understanding smile. He seems to have anticipated her rejection. "I'll leave your mother and Nikolai's care in your capable hands. Whenever you're ready to come back, the doors to the Dennis estate will always be open for you. I'll make sure your brothers and your mother understand that."