Chapter 218

Dominick's heart hammered. He stared at Paisley, desperation etched on his face. "Paisley!"

Paisley avoided his gaze, turning away. "I don't want to talk."

Dominick lunged, but Max blocked him. Dominick's eyes narrowed. "Move."

Max smirked, infuriatingly smug. "No. This is between me and Paisley. Family business."

"Family?" Dominick's voice dripped menace. "We're divorced."

Max casually rubbed his brow. "Don't get your liver worked up. And that frown's aging you."

Before Dominick could explode, Jonathan emerged from the ER, his face grim. "Paisley, your daughter has a ruptured spleen."

Paisley whispered, "Ruptured spleen?" Her mind raced.

"We caught it in time," Jonathan said, "but she needs surgery."

"Can her spleen be saved?" Paisley asked.

Jonathan frowned. "We're consulting to try."

Grayson's checkup was clean. He was discharged and asleep at Vanderbilt Manor by nightfall. The rest of the Vanderbilts were wide awake.

Kayla glanced at the clock. "Mom, Dad, my brother just called. The surgery's done. Do you think Serena could really be his?"

Lauren and Reginald exchanged hopeful glances.

Kayla continued, "I overheard him and Paisley. He suspected Serena was his, and she said she was type A. But today, she said type O. If she wasn't his, she wouldn't lie. She's probably his daughter! Your granddaughter!"

Reginald and Lauren saw her point. Paisley could have easily told the truth if Serena wasn't related.

Lauren beamed, already envisioning afternoon coffees and princess dresses. Reginald, while equally delighted, remained cautious. "Let's wait for a paternity test."

Kayla rolled her eyes. "Paisley won't agree, especially after today. She slapped Mom!"

Lauren touched her cheek, remembering the sting. "Who said I want to claim a granddaughter? We haven't even done the test!"

Kayla stared at her mother, unimpressed. Mom, keep denying, she thought.