?Chapter 265:


    Sadie joined her, taking the opposite chair.


    “Can I get you a drink?” Susannah inquired, shifting her focus to Sadie.


    “Just a ss of water. Thanks,” Sadie answered.


    Susannah signaled for the waiter and ordered water for Sadie.


    After the waiter departed, silence briefly enveloped the table.


    Susannah retrieved a check from her finely crafted leather handbag and ced it smoothly before Sadie. The paper bore a prominent seal and an elegant signature, yet the amount remained unfilled.


    “Miss Hudson, state your price.”


    Sadie’s gaze lingered on the check, uncertainty flickering in her eyes.


    “Mrs. Howe, what is this about?”


    Susannah set her coffee spoon down with a sharp tter, the sound slicing through the hushed atmosphere of the cafe.


    “I will not allow a descendant of the Howe family to live outside the family.”


    Sadie blinked, confusion deepening.


    Susannah continued, “I’m aware of your circumstances. The Hudson name… no longer holds weight. You’re a young mother, raising a child alone—life can’t be easy. This check guarantees that you will never struggle again. Think carefully, Miss Hudson. This is the wisest decision for both you and Averi.”


    A realization dawned on Sadie. Susannah had misunderstood things.


    “Mrs. Howe, you can rx. I don’t have any improper intentions like you think. Regarding Averi’s parentage… I believe there’s been a misunderstanding.”


    Susannah stiffened, clearly unprepared for this response. Her expression darkened.


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    “What do you mean by this? My investigators were thorough. Averi is yours and Alex’s, born in Zupren three years ago.”


    The discovery had left Susannah shocked. Beyond that, her sources uncovered that Sadie had previously admitted—on multiple asions—that Averi was Alex’s child. And now, she was refuting it? Was she angling for more than money?


    Sadie exhaled slowly. It was time to clear things up.


    Sliding the velvet box across the table, she said, “Alex’s assistant gave me this. I believe it should now be returned to its rightful owner. As for Alex and me, we were never more than friends. He’s helped me before, but nothing beyond that.”


    Sadie lowered her gaze, her thickshes veiling the turmoil in her eyes. The past wasn’t something she wished to revisit.


    “And Averi… he is not Alex’s son. Due to personal matters, I once asked him to pretend to be Averi’s father. I apologize for the confusion.”


    Susannah’s eyes narrowed, skepticism evident. She studied Sadie intently, searching for any trace of deception. The woman before her appeared delicate, yet there was an underlying resilience in her stance.


    After a moment, Sadie spoke again. “If you still doubt me, I’m willing to have my son take a DNA test to put this matter to rest.”


    With that, she grabbed her purse, rose from her seat, and left without another word.


    Susannah watched her retreat, lost in thought. She couldn’t shake the feeling that things might not be as simple as they seemed.


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