Chapter 1759:


    Christina caught it immediately. La hadn’t named anyone, but she didn’t need to. Today’s visit had Gillian’s name written all over it — and Christina would have wageredfortably that Alban was the one who had sent her.


    “I carry my own things,” Christina said pleasantly. “I’m not really one for an entourage. Shall we go, or would you rather I go for a swim instead?”


    La had no good move left. She swallowed her frustration and smiled again, looping her arm through Christina’s. “Let’s go.”


    Alban’s errand remained unfinished. She would have to watch for another opening — but there was nothing she could do about it today. Asking outright to include Gillian would have triggered every rm in the Jones household, and she knew it.


    Back in his office, Alban received word of La’s unsessful attempt. He didn’t take it well.


    He couldn’t simply announce that Adide might be his daughter. If word got out prematurely and in the wrong direction, the truth could be buried permanently — and both Gillian and the child could end up in danger. The Wades were too closely tangled with the Hewitts. He didn’t trust either side with something this delicate.


    Every angle he considered hit a wall. He couldn’t approach the Joneses directly. He couldn’t reach Gillian openly. In any other situation, he might have quietly asked someone to obtain a few strands of Adide’s hair and run the test without fanfare. But he didn’t trust anyone not to interfere with it — or worse, use the information against him before he could act on it.


    Scowling, he unlocked his phone and sent Gillian another friend request.


    He watched the screen. Nothing happened. By the time he finally left the office hourster, the request was exactly as he’d left it — sitting there, unanswered.


    He arrived home exhausted, dropped onto the nearest couch, and had barely drawn a breath before the family descended on him.


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    “Well? Were you able to get it? The sample — did you manage anything?”


    They didn’t appear to notice the state he was in. They wanted results.


    “No,” Alban said tly, watching their expressions fall in unison. “I couldn’t get close enough. And don’t start — pressuring me won’t speed anything up.”


    Henrik’s eyes narrowed to a hard line. “That child could be my only great-grandchild. You expect me to sit here calmly?”


    “What would you like me to do about it?” Alban replied, some of his own frustration finally surfacing. “I’m more wound up over this than any of you, and we still don’t have confirmation of anything.”


    “I don’t need confirmation,” Henrik said sharply, half-raising his hand with the air of a man who had not entirely ruled out using it. “She’s a Martel. I already know it. Keep doubting it all you like — but don’te crying to me when it costs you.”


    Alban’s patience finally broke. He looked around at his family, the pressure behind his temples sharpening into something he couldn’t contain any longer.


    “Could everyone just step back for a moment? I need to breathe.”


    Henrik’s response was immediate and unsparing. He fixed Alban with a hard stare. “Your great-granddaughter is out there, and you need a moment to breathe? You are trying my patience.”


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