<h4>Chapter 224: What?</h4><subtxt> "Patrick and Adir... they’re half-brothers. Same father"


    For a second, no one moved. Then Mnie blinked as her brow furrowed. "That doesn’t make any sense. Patrick’s what—almost fifty?" And then, Mnie realized..."Holy shi..."


    She caught herself, nced at Adam, and added with deliberate emphasis, "It seems Sir Robert is quite something. Even when you told me how he ’groomed’ girls... I didn’t practically think how active he was... he was almost eighty... I almost feel bad for Saira..."


    Adam grimaced at that, and Max outrightughed, shaking his head as he said, "A man fathering a child in histe seventies... it’s quite the dreame true, isn’t it?"


    But Adam didn’t respond. He liked the kid- Adir. Had even let himself believe, for a while, that the boy might be his. As much as he hated Saira, as much as the idea of being tied to her forever because of a child made his stomach turn, knowing that Adir was Sir Robert’s son instead... it left a sour, disappointing taste.


    There was something about the boy that didn’t fit with Robert Collins. Something warm. Something real.


    Mnie seemed to read the thought right off his face. She reached over, caught his hand gently and held it.


    Adam finally exhaled, low and tired but also reminding himself relieved. Now, he wouldn’t have to worry about how Mnie would feel about being a step mother... Of course, he didn’t say that outright. And before he could say anything, he heard Mnie ask, "What I don’t understand is, why did Saira not tell Sir Collins about this? If she’d told, wouldn’t he have at least not tried to kill her?"


    Adam shook his head slowly. "Only by maintaining that Adir was my son could she convince Sir Robert that she still had a hold over me. She would’ve believed that was enough. If Sir Robert had known the truth—that the child was his—he would’ve cut her off immediately. No hesitation. Because then, it wouldn’t just be me she was manipting. It would’ve meant she had a hold on him. And he would never have allowed that."


    He paused, jaw tight. "She yed it well."


    "But I still don’t understand where Patrick Collins fits into any of this," Adam said, frowning. "As far as I know, he left soon after he threw me out of the house. That means he would’ve been long gone before Saira gave birth. So how the hell did the child end up with him?"


    Mnie stayed quiet for a moment, thoughtful. Then she said slowly, "There’s another question we’re not asking."


    Both men looked at her.


    "Why did Patrick go along with her in the first ce?" she asked. "Why agree to deceive Adam? And thenter—why the sudden shift? Why send awyer to me, of all people, and then take Adir straight to Sir Robert afterward? What changed? What made him decide to turn on Saira? Or support her for that matter."


    Adam looked down, expression dark. "That’s the part I don’t get either."


    They were still processing Mnie’s question when Max’s phone buzzed. He frowned, picking it up, and read the message quickly.


    His face changed.


    Adam caught the shift immediately. "What is it?"


    Max didn’t answer at once. He looked up, blinking as if re-orienting himself, then said, "Patrick just made a move."


    Mnie sat straighter. "What kind of move?"


    "He’s ordered for Adir to be brought to the Collins estate. Soon. I guess you are going to either get an uncle or a son after your ’death’."


    They both nodded. Okay. No one knew that Adam was still alive but Patrick Colllins did. So, until they knew his motive, judging where to go from there on was going to be difficult.


    Adam’s eyes narrowed. "Why now?"


    "That’s the question, isn’t it?" Max said, tossing the phone onto the table. "We were just talking about how none of this makes sense, and suddenly he’s stepping forward like this is all part of some longid n."


    Mnie looked at Adam, then back at Max. "Did thewyer say anything about <i>why</i> he’s taking Adir there? I mean... is he going to present the boy as Adam’s son—or Sir Robert’s?"


    Max shook his head. "No rification. Nothing official."


    Adam let out a long breath and leaned back. "He’s not going to say it’s Sir Robert’s child. He can’t. That would ruin everything. I think they will dere me dead and introduce the child as my heir. That is if Patrick’s protecting the old man’s reputation which he would considering the fact that Patrick Collins has always looked upto his father. Additionally, we need to check grandmother’s will. If there is any such provision there where in case of my death, my child can inherit the estate and thepany....If they are able to establish Adir as my child, then they have dual power. The child is back in the family fold and they estate is in their hand. It is quite a master stroke..."


    Mnie winced," Dam* it! These people can’t even leave a child alone?"


    "So... you think he’s really going to im Adir is your son?" Max asked with concern.


    "I think he’ll do whatever causes the least damage to the family name," Adam said. "And it’s easier to paint me as the fool who didn’t know than to admit Sir Robert fathered a child with a woman nearly fifty years his junior."


    Before anyone could reply, Max’s phone buzzed again.


    He grabbed it, nced down—and froze.


    "Max?" Mnie asked.


    His expression had changed. nk first, then slowly twisting into something sharper.


    "Max, what is it?" Adam pressed.


    Max looked up, voice t and slow. "Sir Robert Collins was just hospitalized. He had a severe heart attack. Minutes ago. It seems he’s unconscious. They’ve taken him into emergency care. I’m already messaging my contact to keep an eye on this and let me know if this is real or some other borate n..."</subtxt>