Chapter 713 The Test

    “R–really?”

    “Of course it’s real. Don’t be stupid. Abraham treasures you too much to ever betray you.”

    Through the years, plenty of women had set their sights on Abraham.

    But none of them had ever gotten close to him.

    Unable to win him over, they resorted to stunts like thisb? /b

    “But what if… what if it really is Abraham’s?” Ste sniffled again.

    “There’s no ‘what if!” Marie snapped.

    “Even if it were true, you’d still have me. I’d take you away to live on our own, and I’d never let love ruin you.”

    She spoke with such conviction that Derrick’s face instantly darkened.

    One way or another, Marie finally managed to coax Ste into calming down.

    Before hanging up, she showered her with kisses and tender words–any outsider listening might have thought she was the one married to Ste.

    Derrick shivered in disgust, goosebumps all over.

    As soon as she ended the call, Marie immediately tried Abraham’s number. It rang for a long time with no answer.

    With no choice, she dialed Abel instead.

    Derrick muttered, “She still relies on you this much?”

    In his mind, Ste had never been all that self–sufficient. Aside from the years she’d spent at Rivermount, she had always leaned most on Abraham—and next on Marie.

    And now? With Abraham away on a trip and unreachable, of course she had turned straight to Marie.

    Marie shrugged. “She’s just a kid. When something happens, of course she feels helpless.”

    She still saw Ste as the girl she remembered, never having witnessed how grown she’d seemed at Rivermount.

    Derrick shot her a look. “She’s about to be the mother of three.”

    b“/bShe’s still young,” Marie insisted. “I really shouldn’t have taken the Tessa job. If I hadn’t, I’d be with her right now.”

    She thought bitterly that if not for this mess, she would be at her precious sister’s side, not letting her cry like that.

    Derrick snorted. “As if. You’d still be running all over the world instead of staying put with her.”

    Marie fell silent. Maybe he wasn’t wrong. She couldn’t give up her free–spirited life just for one girl.

    But this was different.

    Tessa’s case tied her hands because of Victor. If she were free, she would have flown straight back to Ste already.

    Abel finally picked up.

    “Miss.”

    Marie snapped, “What the hell is my brother doing? The house is on fire and he won’t answer the phone!”

    Abel blinked. “What?b” /b

    “Where is he?”

    “He’s with Mr. Monley. Their meeting will wrap up in about half an hour.”

    House on fire? What did she mean by that?

    Marie pressed, “Then find a chance to tell him–Ste just called me, crying her eyes out.”

    The words made Abel’s chest tighten. “Sir’s phone is with me. Why was Miss Ste crying?b” /b

    Marie’s temper spiked. “It’s in your hands? Great. That exins it. Ste’s falling apart, and Abraham’s not answering.”

    The image of Ste sobbing tore through Abel’s mind. He never imagined ignoring one call could cause such chaos.

    What now?

    “I’ll go to him right away.”

    “Hurry,” Marie ordered.

    “But why was Miss Ste crying?” Abel pressed. He figured nothing serious could happen bwhile /bshe was at Dawson bCastle/bb. /b

    Marie snapped, “She got a package–inside was a pregnancy test, double lines. The sender’s pregnant. Do I really need to spell it out for you?”

    Abel froze. Disaster.

    Abraham would never do something like that, but with things this bmessy/b, it was already a problem.

    Marie hung up.

    Derrick frowned. “There are tests with three lines?b” /b

    “Isn’t that what pregnancy means?” Marie shot back.

    “Two lines, Marie. Two. That’s what it means.”

    138

    “Whatever. Pregnant is pregnant.” She waved it off. The point was clear enough.

    They finally arrived at ck Mountain.

    Marie and Derrick mmed their car doors and stormed out.

    Inside, Dale was still fuming from his sh with Dan. He’d barely had a chance to breathe when Butler Lenny rushed in. “Mr. Nathaniel, Ms. Dawson has arrived.”

    Dale’s heart sank.

    He and Artemis exchanged a wary nce. Her face was stiff, unsettled.

    She never expected that her simple wish to have Manny inherit Ashen Pact would spiral into this disaster thanks to Dan.

    At Dawson Castle, Ste sat sniffling, her eyes red and swollen.

    When Madam Evelyn returned and the butler exined everything, she flew into a rage.

    “Find out who that witch is,” she thundered. “Now!”

    The butler nodded. “I’ve already sent men to investigate.”

    “When you find her, don’t bother keeping her alive. Deal with her directly,” Madam Evelyn

    snarled.

    Again the butler bowed his head.

    Ste sniffled and whispered, “But… she’s pregnant.”

    Madam Evelyn’s lip curled. “So what? Pregnant or not, if she dares pull this stunt, I’ll take her life myself.”

    11

    ”

    Her fury was absolute. She grabbed the test and smashed it to pieces.