Chapter 257

"Let's go home," Christina murmured, subtly urging Brittany away from the curious onlookers.

Outside the station, a man waited. He wasn't tall, but his presence commanded attention. Brittany recoiled, instinctively wary. Dylan, his sharp nose twitching, frowned. "Brittany?"

Christina intervened. "We'll take her home to clean up first, then we'll bring her to Byron."

Dylan, having found his picture's subject, simply nodded. "See you later. Get some rest." He tipped his head and drove away.

Brittany stared after him, bewildered. "Mom, who was that?"

"We'll talk at home," Christina said, steering Brittany and Gregory towards the Sullivan villa.

The villa was unrecognizable. Antique paintings were gone, replaced by chaos. The housekeeper was missing. "Mom, where's the housekeeper?" Brittany asked, already imagining a soothing bath.

Gregory looked uncomfortable. "I dismissed her." A flicker of his usual arrogance returned.

"Brittany, freshen up. We have something to tell you," Christina said, hurrying off to make a call.

When she returned, Brittany, clean and refreshed, waited. "Mom, I... I'm the Godard heiress?" Brittany stammered, incredulous.

Gregory smiled. "Yes. Your mother and I met with the Beaumont patriarch. A DNA test with your biological father will finalize it."

Brittany's eyes shone with dawning comprehension. Christina nodded. "You're the sole Godard heir, and a Beaumont heiress."

"Really?" A triumphant smile lit her face. She envisioned Dominick at her beck and call, Paisley bowing before her.

Meanwhile, in the hospital room, Paisley sneezed, rubbing her nose. "Achoo."

"Paisley, are you getting sick?" Maria asked.

"Just a tickle," Paisley replied, though her nose had been itching incessantly.

Maria set down her things. "The house next door was dark when I got back. Max left Harrowfell. I wonder if he'll return."

Paisley shrugged, grabbing her bag. "I'm going to the film set. See you tonight."

Maria watched her go, a nagging unease settling in her stomach.