Chapter 289: The Moment of Truth

Ava frantically shook her head. "No, no, you and Oliver truly aren't siblings!"

Ruby, however, was terrified, feeling it was the most likely possibility.

"In that case, let's do a DNA test," Lydia suddenly suggested.

Lydia's eyes were slightly red-rimmed as she turned to Damien. Seeing his head bowed low, her heart clenched.

"I also found this puzzling," she continued. "Since Mrs. Willis is unable to communicate rationally and explain her reasons, let's verify the most plausible conjecture."

In truth, as a powerful person, Lydia shouldn't have made such a hasty decision. If wrong, it would irrevocably damage her relationship with Oliver. But, perhaps overly upset by Oliver, she wanted to trust her instincts and make a rash decision. She had never considered how wonderful it would be if Damien were her son. However, she'd often vaguely felt he was very much like her, attributing it to her having personally taught him. But now, it seemed biological. Compared to her, Oliver far more resembled her narrow-minded and malicious former sister-in-law.

"Mom, you doubt me?" Oliver was distraught. His mother's request for a DNA test was a stab to his heart. He felt disdained, unwanted. "Sure enough, you'd prefer Damien! Fine. If I'm your son, don't expect me to acknowledge you again. You're not my mother anymore!"

Lydia sneered inwardly. Without the rose-tinted glasses of maternal love, Oliver's words were crystal clear. His behavior indicated fear; he suspected the truth but wouldn't confront it. He couldn't face his mother's apparent madness, or the fact that everything he had was essentially stolen from Damien, yet he still fell short.

"If you truly have the backbone to follow through, then you do resemble me somewhat," Lydia replied indifferently. She waved a hand, and her security guards stepped forward to take samples by force.

"You You can't do this!" Ava cried. "Damien, are you going to do nothing? If you let them, I'll kill myself!"

Damien lifted his head, his gaze numb. "I'd also like to know why you treat me this way. If you want to blackmail me with your death, I wouldn't be legally responsible. Compared to what you've subjected me to, being ungrateful is nothing."

Ava was stunned, staring at Damien, no longer intimidated. By the time she regained her senses and reached for a knife, the guards were prepared, restraining her.

Chapter 259: The Moment of Truth

Ava looked up to see Lydia approaching. Reduced to a pathetic state, she turned to her husband for help.

Sergio, a shrewd man, was shocked. He realized a DNA test was inevitable; his wife's reaction confirmed it. We're doomed! he thought. The Willis family is finished, and so is Ruby!

Ruby panicked, watching Oliver shout and bellow as he was restrained.

Lydia approached Ava. "Struggling is pointless. You know my temperament. Come clean now, and save yourself suffering."

She needed to verify the matter, and the sooner, the better.

Ava's face flushed. Just when everyone expected stubbornness, she burst into laughter.

"Lydia Sanders, you deserved this!"

Lydia's expression changed; gasps echoed. Only Oliver and Ruby stared blankly. Is this the moment of truth?

Alexander stood by his wife, quietly enjoying the show. Bella excitedly grabbed his hand.

Ava, completely unhinged, scornfully mocked Lydia. "You're a fool! You raised my son for twenty years, while your own was tormented, with no father or mother's love. He survived cautiously under your roof, desperately trying to please me, yearning for love. His servile demeanor was laughable. He didn't dare compete with Oliver. This is your retribution!"

Her words were venomous.

Despite her success, Lydia's eyes welled with tears. She looked at Damien; his face was devoid of expression, yet tears flowed freely. Her heart clenched. She grabbed Ava's collar, wanting to strangle her. "Why? How have I offended you? Why be so cruel?"

"Was it because of Jared?" Howard interjected, his voice hoarse. "Because of Jared, right? You never let it go?"

He raised his voice in anger for the first time. Though often overlooked, he felt a paternal instinct to protect his son. His fists clenched.

"What?" Lydia looked at her husband in bewilderment.

With a sorrowful expression, Howard said, "I didn't know she was capable of this madness. I kept you in the dark to spare you awkwardness. Back then"

Howard's account revealed the past and Ava's irrational resentment. Lydia and Damien were stunned to be dragged into Jared and Ava's conflict.

Lydia turned to see Ava glaring at her. "Jared and I have no relationship! You knew! You knew all along! How could you be so malicious? You hate me and Damien!"

"Why shouldn't I? You shouldn't have allowed my husband to have feelings for you. It's your fault. And your son! If not for him, I wouldn't have suffered," Ava roared self-righteously.

Almost everyone gaped.

"Do you know why I had obstructed labor? Because we went into labor at the same time, that man guarded your delivery room, worrying about you. That caused me such distress that Ollie was born prematurely, almost killing me. Wasn't that your and your son's fault?"