Chapter 141
Landon took care of everything efficiently. That afternoon, they would first go to the hospital for the DNA test results, then enjoy authentic Norava cuisine at an upscale private kitchen.
Amelia was quite pleased with the arrangements and arrived punctually at 3 p.m. to collect the DNA test results. They had acknowledged kin, but only the DNA test results would have the final say on just how close their ties were.
Daniel had already arrived and was engaged in a heated argument with a young woman, Maisie. She snapped, โDonโt think that piece of paper gives you the right to bring her home. Iโm the only legitimate daughter of the Zuckerberg family, and no outsider will ever benefit from our name!โ
Daniel also snapped, โMaisie! Havenโt you had enough of this nonsense?โ
Maisie shouted, โNo. Youโre my brother, and mine alone. Dad demands you come back to Lunova right now!โ
Without realizing it, Amelia tightened her grip on the wheelchair backrest. She thought, โJust as I expected, the Zuckerbergs are difficult to handle. I havenโt even decided whether to go back to Lunova with Daniel, and his sibling has already come barging in.โ
Landon reached out gently, his voice soft with concern. โHoney?โ
Just as Landon was about to comfort her, Amelia strode over and snatched the DNA test report. Amelia fixed Maisie with a steely gaze and said firmly, โMiss Zuckerberg, I presume? Keep your hands off what isnโt yours!โ
Both Daniel and Maisie froze in shock. Right after that, Daniel instantly pulled Amelia behind him, shielding her from harm.
Maisieโs pretty face twisted in fury as she shrieked, โDaniel! Have you lost your damn mind?โ
โGet the hell out of here!โ Daniel shouted, his face stiff with rage as he hurled an exquisitely wrapped gift box at Maisie.
Maisie fumbled and missed the catch. The box crashed to the floor, and its precious contents spilled. It was a luxury watch worth 700 grand!
Heartbroken, Maisie scrambled to pick up the watch, only to discover the crystal was cracked.
Maisieโs voice trembled as she demanded, โDaniel, how could you smash the birthday gift I gave you? For her? I spent six months getting that watch customโmade for you!โ
โMaisie, drop the attitude. Weโre still siblings, and Iโll look out for you. I always have. But if you keep stirring up trouble to please your mom, donโt blame me if I stop going easy on you!โ Daniel radiated a fierce, intimidating presence, like a beast ready to maul its prey.
Seeing their quarrel, Amelia wondered, โJust what kind of family am I dealing with here?โ
Maisie sneered, โDaniel, sheโs not even a Zuckerberg. Just some illegitimate nobody. No one even knows who her father is!โ
Without warning, Danielโs hand slapped Maisieโs cheek. His slap landed hard, cutting Maisie off and silencing her on the spot.
Maisie clutched her stinging cheek, trembling with utter disbelief. โDaniel! You dare to slap me?โ
Daniel glared at Maisie and said coldly, โMaisie, this is your last warning. Donโt insult Amelia again. Or else. You know exactly what Iโm capable of.โ
Every word Daniel spoke was laced with deadly menace, and his bloodshot eyes burned with fury. Amelia was startled by his sudden anger.
However, Maisie didnโt even flinch, glaring back defiantly. โYou know exactly what Iโm capable of, too, Daniel!โ
โMaisie!โ Daniel snapped.
Maisie spat, โOver my dead body!โ Clutching the damaged watch, Maisie stormed off.
Amelia quickly ran over and blocked Maisieโs way. โWait!โ she said firmly.
โYou fatherless little bitch! What gives you the right to speak to me?โ Maisie snarled, her chest heaving with rage.
โIf Daniel werenโt here, Iโd wipe that smirk off her face!โ Maisie thought furiously.
โMaisie, right? Let me make a few things clear.โ
Amelia threw a sharp gaze and continued, โFirst, I despise social climbing. Maybe your family is impressive, but my husband and I arenโt just anybody. So, youโve got nothing to worry about."
โSecond, itโs true. I never knew who my father was. But I was dearly loved by my mother. If you think you can use that to belittle me, think again. I couldnโt care less.โ
Amelia stood tall, her posture radiating quiet dignity. Every word she spoke carried unyielding pride. Maisie stared at Amelia in shock, sizing her up.
โSheโs skinny as a twig, like some manโs pampered pet. How dare she talk to me like that?โ Maisie seethed, โWho the hell does she think she is?โ
Landon cleared his throat and looked at his beloved with a tender smile. โAhem, Iโd like to say a few words too.โ
He thought to himself, โThatโs my brave girl. Major props to you!โ
Meanwhile, Amelia thought, โOh great, there he goes again with his monologue! Canโt he save that for when we get home?โ
Landonโs smile faded, his presence instantly commanding. โMiss Zuckerberg, Iโm Landon KingsleyโAmyโs husband.โ
Maisieโs gaze snapped at him. She thought, โI was about to mock his disability, but this guyโs presence is just too intimidating.โ The mocking words sheโd prepared stuck in her throat.
โMy family, the Kingsleys, are a force to be reckoned with in Norava. Everyone here knows to show Amy the respect she deserves as my wife.
โYouโre new here and donโt know the rules, so Iโll let it slide this time. However, watch your step next time.โ
Landonโs voice was measured, yet carried undeniable authority. Even Maisie, who had always been the domineering princess of Lunova, found herself cowed by Landonโs commanding presence.
Maisie narrowed her eyes, her gaze fixed on Landonโs legs. Landon noticed this and said, โI may be disabled now, but that doesnโt stop me from doing anything.โ He gave a faint smile, his eyes were cold.
Maisie drew a sharp breath and stormed out. Meanwhile, shielded by Daniel and Landon, Amelia felt utterly safe, her heart overflowing with happiness.
Amelia broke into a bright smile and said to Daniel and Landon, โAlright, letโs not let anyone else ruin our mood. Letโs check the results first.โ
Daniel reined in his fierce presence and said gently, โAmy, sheโs got a bad temper. Just try to keep your distance from her, okay?โ
Landonโs expression stiffened. โThis is my turf. My wife doesnโt have to avoid anyone!โ
โDuly noted, but Maisie has a violent temper,โ Daniel sighed. โIโm worried she might hurt her. But donโt worry, Iโll send her back to Lunova as soon as possible.โ
โDonโt worry, Daniel. Iโm no pushover,โ Amelia said with a wink, gesturing toward Brooke standing nearby. โBrookeโs got my back. Sheโs a real powerhouse!โ
โItโs better to be carefulโฆโ Daniel cautioned and paused midโsentence. He hesitated, and some words were left unspoken.
Amelia flipped open the report, beaming with joy. โDaniel, I knew it. We are brother and sister!โ
โThatโs great news! From now on, youโll be the sister I cherish most,โ Daniel said firmly.
โThen what about Maisie?โ Landon cut in dryly.
โDifferent mothers, no comparison,โ Daniel sneered.
Everyone said that Daniel lost his mother at a young age, and Joanna had deceived him. He had always known it was Joanna who led his mother to her demise, and heโd been plotting his revenge ever since.
โThough Maisie is innocent and Iโve doted on her for years, she could never compare to Amy!โ Daniel thought.
โAmy was Momโs daughter, and that makes her my sister.โ
In a rare show of goodwill, Landon said to Daniel, โAlright, since you two are related, youโre now my brotherโinโlaw.โ
Amelia beamed with delight and said, โDaniel, itโs your birthday today, and Landon has prepared a birthday party for you. Letโs go celebrate!โ
โSure.โ Daniel nodded.
The three had just left when Maisie reappeared.
She was still clutching a copy of the DNA test results. A stately, aristocraticโlooking woman in her seventies stood imposingly by her side. โGrandma, did you see that? That woman is the one whoโs disgraced our family!โ Maisie hissed.
The stately woman was none other than Madame Zuckerberg herself. The Zuckerberg family not only valued their reputation, but also placed great emphasis on filial piety.
Hence, even though Daniel had worked hard to become the head of the family, he still had to obey every word Madam Zuckerberg said.
Maisie thought smugly, โHow clever of me to bring Grandma along to Norava. With Grandma here, would Daniel even dare say no?โ
Maisie sneered. โThat fatherless little bitch named Amelia will never be worthy of being part of our family. As for the Hughes family? Over my dead body will I let her set foot there.โ
Madam Zuckerberg said firmly, โYour father has been a single parent for years. Catherine passed away over twenty years ago.โ
Maisie gloated. Madame Zuckerbergโs arrival was the outcome sheโd schemed for. She gently touched her swollen cheek, her voice trembling with a mix of grievance and coquetry as she whined, โBut Grandma, Danielโs already accepted her.โ
Madam Zuckerberg snorted coldly. โDanielโs actions are questionable.โ
โAnd what about the Hughes family? What if Grandpa decides to accept Amelia into their family too?โ
Madam Zuckerberg snapped, โNow, thatโs a slap in the face to the Zuckerberg family!โ
Before Maisie could finish, Madam Zuckerberg erupted in fury. โItโs already humiliating enough that my daughterโinโlaw had a mental breakdown. How could she possibly have an illegitimate daughter, too?โ
Maisie sighed, feigning concern. โYouโre right, Grandma. But now that Amelia has the Kingsley family behind her, Iโm afraid we wonโt be able to stop her.โ
Madam Zuckerberg patted her hand affectionately. โThe Kingsleys are nothing but businessmen. Whatโs there to fear, Dear?โ