<b>Chapter </b>172
By evening, the Sullivans had finally left.
That night, in the Sullivan mansion, Archer and Dominic gathered the family in the main living room. The atmosphere was tense with anticipation as everyone settled into their seats.
“We’ve called you all here because we’ve discovered something important,” Archer began, his voice steady despite his obvious excitement. “We believe we’ve found Conrad’s daughter.”
Gasps filled the room. Aurelia looked up sharply from her phone. Catherine’s mother clutched her husband’s arm.
Dominic opened a leather–bound photo album and ced it on the coffee table. “We’ve beenparing photographs, and the resemnce is unmistakable.”
He pointed to a portrait of Hazel Reed, then slid forward a printed photo of Jade Morgan from a recent university publication.
Aurelia leaned forward, her eyes widening in shock. “That’s… that’s Jade Morgan”
“She’s Conrad’s daughter?” ir whispered, reaching out to touch the photographs with trembling fingers. “Our Conrad had a child all this time?”
“We’re certain,” Archer confirmed. “We’ve already spoken with her foster parents. They found her abandoned at a hospital shortly after birth.”
“We need to see her,” ir said firmly, rising to her feet. “All of us. She needs to know she has a family. A real family.” She looked around the room with determination. “We’ll go tomorrow. Together.”
The next day, there was another knock at Jade’s door. Persistent bastards.
She was in the shower when it came, but heard Chase’s footsteps in the living room, followed by the sound of the door opening.
“Can I help you?‘ Chase’s voice carried down the hallway.
A woman’s voice responded, surprised. ‘I think we have the wrong apartment. We’re looking for Jade Morgan.”
“This is her ce,‘ Chase replied. “Who are you?”
There was a pause, then Archer Sullivan’s voice: ‘I’m her uncle. We need to speak with her about an urgent family
matter.”
“Chase?” Aurelia’s voice sounded sharp with surprise. “What are you doing here?”
“I could ask you the same question, Aurelia,” Chase responded coolly.
<b>“</b>Is she home?” Archer asked. “We have important matters to discuss with her.”
“Wait here,” Chase said. “I’ll see if she’s avable.”
Jade heard his footsteps on the stairs. He knocked lightly on the bathroom door.
“Jade? The Sullivan family is here. Like, all of them. Should I tell them to fuck off, or what?”
Wrapped in a towel, she considered her options. “Tell them I’m not home and they should nevere back. Otherwise, I’ll make them regret it.”
Chase chuckled. “Got it.”
She heard him descend the stairs and deliver her message. Through the bathroom door, Catherine Sullivan’s indignant voice carried clearly.
“Not home? But her friend is here! She’s clearly avoiding us. How rude!”
“Catherine!” a male voice admonished. “That’s enough.”
“Well, I’m sorry,” Chase’s voice drifted up, “but that’s her message. She’s not home, and she says you should all leave and note back.”
“This is ridiculous,” Catherine huffed. “We’vee all this way, and she can’t be bothered to greet us? No manners at all.”
“Catherine,” a different female voice cut in, “remember where you are. This is someone else’s home.”
“She’s right,” Chase said coldly. “This is Jade’s home, and you’re being disrespectful. I think you should leave.”
“We’ll wait,” Archer Sullivan said firmly. “However long it takes.”
Jade stayed upstairs for hours, asionally hearing snippets of conversation. The doorbell rang once–Chase’s delivery. She heard him unwrap his food, the television turn on, and the sounds of a video game.
More time passed. Catherineined about her feet hurting in her heels.
“Can I at least sit down?” she demanded.
(
8:15 Thu, Sep 25
“You want to sit on someone else’s furniture without permission?” Chase asked. “Wow. And you were just talking
about manners.”
Finally, as evening shadows lengthened across her bedroom floor, Jade came downstairs.
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