Chapter 644: Being Exposed

A surprised Moana was pulled aside for a private conversation. The details remained unknown, but she readily agreed to care for Cassandra.

Cecilia enjoyed a peaceful night's sleep without Moana. The next day, she spent her time composing music and reading. Aside from the lawsuit against Paula and Magnus, and the upcoming parents' association presidential election next Monday, little else occupied her.

A phone call interrupted her afternoon. It was from the jail; Paula wished to see her.

"Understood," Cecilia replied, and immediately set off for the detention center. She arrived an hour later. Expecting to find Paula looking miserable, Cecilia was surprised by her unchanged appearance; even her hair was styled differently.

"What do you want?" Cecilia's voice was flat.

Paula glanced at the scar on her face. "How much money will it take for you to drop the charges?" she asked bluntly.

"All of Dad's inheritance, of course," Cecilia retorted.

"That's ridiculous! I deserve half! I was his wife!" Paula demanded. "You and Magnus can split the rest."

Cecilia found the word "wife," coming from Paula, particularly offensive. "His wife? The Smith family fortune was my father's pre-marital asset. You're only entitled to the earnings accumulated during your marriage."

Paula choked. "Are you trying to push your brother and me to the brink? I'm your mother, and Magnus is your brother!" Seeing Cecilia unmoved, she tried a different tactic. "If I die, how many loved ones will you have left? Regas loved Magnus and me so much. Do you think he'd let you take everything and leave us with nothing?"

Cecilia listened impassively. Only after Paula finished did she speak.

Chapter 544: Being Exposed

"I know Cassandra is your biological daughter. She's just over a year older than me. I also remember my father mentioning I was born a year after you married him."

Paula stared, stunned. Cecilia continued, ignoring her astonishment. "Before you got pregnant with me, you must have taken a break after having Cassandra, right?"

Paula's blood boiled; she lunged at Cecilia. Cecilia firmly grasped her wrist and pushed her back. "What's the matter? Upset I've exposed you? Shouldn't I be angry? You betrayed my father and used his love as an excuse. Do you think I'm still the obedient little girl who followed your every command?"

Paula stumbled back into her chair, feeling a sharp pain and dizziness, a twisting ache in her abdomen. Bearing the discomfort, she pointed at Cecilia. "Don't talk nonsense. I favor Cassandra because she's more competent and dutiful than you. She's not my daughter at all."

If Queenie discovered Cassandra's true parentage, her favor would vanish. Queenie was her own harshest critic; how could she accept that the girl she raised was the daughter of a woman who had usurped her place?

Cecilia noted Paula's unusual demeanor. There was no one else present; why wouldn't she admit it? Is she worried about something?

"I've already received the DNA test results," Cecilia said.

Panic seizing her, Paula glared. "What are you trying to do? If you dare harm Cassandra, I swear I'll drag you down to hell with me!"