?Chapter 1412:


    The servants of the Harper household lowered their heads, shoulders trembling as they struggled to contain theirughter.


    Sandra stole a nce at Shepard, curiosity glimmering in her eyes. Age hadn’t diminished him—his presence wasmanding, his features sharp, his bearing refined. If he was really her father, she would consider herself lucky.


    Her gaze flicked to Ernst, striking andposed, and then she remembered Dalton—the star who filled every magazine cover. The thought of sharing blood with them felt almost unreal, like a dreame true.


    “Dad, please don’t be upset. My mom only wanted a chance to speak with you,” Sandra said to Shepard carefully, lowering her voice.


    The Harper family fixed Sandra with icy stares, their irritation palpable. Shepard, the most annoyed, barked, “Don’t call me that; I’m not your dad!”


    Sandra flinched at the sharp rebuke, her voice faltering. “Yes, Mr. Harper…” She felt deeply aggrieved, and tears welled in her eyes.


    Keira, seeing her daughter’s distress, bristled and stepped in. “You can deny it now, but when the test results arrive in a few days, you will have to ept that she is your daughter!”


    She had no fondness for the Harper family and spoke boldly. “I’m out of money. Hand over some right now.”


    Shepard shot her a frosty look. “What gives you the right to demand money from me? Do I owe you anything?”


    Humiliated, Keira glowered at him, knowing he was right but hoping to bluff her way through. When he didn’t budge, she faltered. “Your daughter is broke. Can’t you give her some money?”


    Shepard’s face hardened. “My daughter? Are you sure she’s mine? You know the truth. Stop bothering me here. You two should go to the room set aside for you. Stay there and don’t wander. Julia, show them the way.”


    Keira followed the direction of his pointed finger and erupted in anger. “What do you mean by this? That’s the servants’ quarters! Why should we stay there? How dare you treat us like this? My daughter will be a Harper in the future. We won’t stay in the servants’ quarters!”


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    Shepard’s expression remained unyielding. He ignored her.<fn879c> The source of th?s content is find?novel</fn879c>


    Giselle, trembling with fury, pointed at Keira. “That is only if the tests prove Sandra’s a Harper. Otherwise, what im do you have to pick rooms? If the servants’ quarters aren’t good enough for you, you can sleep in a tent outside!”


    Brenna stepped forward, her tone sharp. “What if the results show Sandra isn’t my father’s daughter? Is it right for you to enjoy the Harper family’s privileges now? And if she takes my father’s money and it turns out she is not his daughter, will you pay it back?”


    Keira struggled for a response, eventually blurting, “My daughter is absolutely a Harper. I gave birth to her—I know it!”


    Enough nonsense. Get out of our sight. Without our say-so, you’re not to leave your room,” Brenna said, then gave Julia a nce.


    Julia, apanied by two servants, led Keira and Sandra to the servants’ quarters, where a clean, spacious room with two beds awaited.


    The grand hopes Keira and Sandra had harbored on their way here shattered instantly.


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