The nurse shook her head at Maia, “No thanks necessary. Just doing our job. Once the heart bypass surgery is over, we’ll transfer the patient to the ICU for further monitoring. You should go home and bring back clothes and other necessities.”“Alright. We got it. Thanks.”“It’s no problem,” the nurse responded and left.There was pin-drop silence in the hallway. Maia noticed Hope’s rapid breathing as well as her clenching hands on her legs. She was afraid. Sitting next to her, Maia held her hands. “Don’t be scared. I’m here with you. Everything’s going to be fine.”Baz went along and tried to soothe Hope. “That’s right, Ms. Hope. There’s nothing to be afraid of. HL Corporation holds the biggest share of Prismara Hospital. Mr. Cedric made a call to them and they sent the head of the cardiology department to treat Mr. Homer.”Nodding, Hope said, “I have to thank Cedric for this.”“That’s too formal, Ms. Hope. You are family. In fact, Mr. Homer is technically Mr. Cedric’s father-i
Maia flashed him a faint smile and asked, “So, are you trying to say that you’re not afraid of me, Baz?”Spurred by fear, he darted right into Homer’s bedroom.“Get the suitcase down here.” She pointed at the top of the wardrobe.Baz did just that.Opening the wardrobe, she started picking up some clothes, folding them, and packing them up in the suitcase. Looking at it, she said, “That should do it.”She was closing the wardrobe when she saw a document on one of the clapboards. Pushing aside the hanging coats and the folded clothes, she took it out and read it.A DNA test report?Paging through the report, she realized it was about her and Homer! She flipped to the last page and read the result. A red stamp was visible on the bottom part of the report and it was very clearly stated that…There were no biological relations between her and Homer.Her hands started to tremble, and her eyes turned red. She couldn’t believe what she just saw. Then, the report slipped from her hand
Maia recalled the moment when Homer saw the DNA test report with the result stating that she was his biological daughter. Back then, he regarded her with a guilty look and started to treat her better in the next few days.She could almost feel something resembling a father’s love from Homer. However, it only lasted a few months. After that, Homer treated her worse than ever.Was it because of the latest result from the DNA test report she found in his bedroom? Checking out the date of the result, she surmised that that was the case here.If what it stated was true, then it made perfect sense that Homer resented her the way he did.“Does this mean I’m really not his daughter?” She smiled bitterly as warm tears streamed down her fair cheeks, “So, I’ve only ever had a mother. I never had a father. It was all a lie…”Resting on the desk, she burst into tears and bawled.Cedric heard her crying when he opened the door and dashed right into the study. At the next moment, he pulled her
“EIIU DNA Lab.” Cedric read the huge letters imprinted on the cover page of the test result.Maia nodded, “Yeah. It’s one of the leading DNA labs in the industry. Didn’t we use their service for my DNA test with Errol’s alleged corpse? Let’s go over there now! We’ll get to the bottom of this!”She was picking herself up even though there were still tears in her eyes. It was a heartbreaking sight for him. He was the most powerful businessman. He could bring both HL Corporation and the Larkins back from the brink of bankruptcy and complete devastation to the peak of success as well as the most powerful entity in the business industry. He was famously cold and heartless, but there was no other lady he’d rather be with.She could also unhinge him from his usual calm, intelligent self and send him into a state of helplessness and panic.Realizing that he didn’t give any reaction, she got worried, “W-What’s the matter?”Pulling her into his arms, he threatened her sweetly. “I won’t
Maia looked at Zacharias and questioned him urgently, “Are these records accurate? Is there a possibility that they were somehow altered or forged?”“That’s quite impossible. Ms. Maia, these records are accompanied by photographic copies to prevent them from being altered. “Moreover, when our customers can’t collect their reports personally, we would ask for consent and confirmation for the report to be sent to their homes. These reports are delivered personally by us to our customers. “They would also have to accept the delivery in person. On our record, Mr. Homer had requested for the report to be delivered to his home.” “So, this means that the report is accurate.”“Yes. It is 100 percent accurate. Ms. Maia, you are your father’s biological daughter. We did the test twice, and the results were the same.”Maia studied the records closely to ensure that she had made no mistake. Cedric had noticed the change in her emotions as he looked at Zacharias and signaled to give them s
Maia nodded in agreement when she heard Cedric’s analysis. “You’re right. He’s already a madman. Moreover, he was able to survive this incident. He would do anything to obtain power, wealth and to seek revenge.” Maia could not help but worry about their safety. She did not know where Errol was hiding, but for some reason, she could feel him close by. Maia grasped the edge of the blouse tightly as she thought of him.Cedric could see that she was afraid, so he quickly comforted her. “Don’t worry, I’m here with you.” She looked at Cedric with worried eyes. “You have to promise not to sacrifice yourself for me. Even if I was in danger!”She could still recall how he had risked everything for her, even his own life. Maia could not forget how helpless she felt when she thought he was dead. Cedric could sense her uneasiness as he smiled helplessly. “Maia, do you still remember what you did back at Nordic City? During that windy day?” Maia laughed as she recalled her ‘heroic’ deed.
Minutes later, Maia’s expression changed as she commented, “I wonder how my father is doing.”“His surgery had just finished.”“How did you know about that?”“I got Baz to check on him.” When Maia heard that Cedric had asked Baz to check on her father, she sighed in relief. It seemed like her father’s coronary bypass surgery was a success.“Then, let’s go to the hospital now,” Maia said as she walked toward the exit in a hurry. Cedric immediately held her waist and drew her toward him. “Stop walking so fast. You should be careful! What if—” “I got it. If I’m in such a hurry again, you’d break my legs, right?” Maia interrupted him. He smirked wickedly at her as he added, “Why would I do that? Your legs are used to wrap around me. I would just carry you the next time you’re in such a hurry.”Maia blushed a crimson red at his words, and she mumbled, “Got it.” When they came out of the conference room, Maia turned toward Paige and instructed, “Paige, if you need me, feel fre
The younger secretary looked at Paige playfully and asked, “Paige, are you interested as well?” Paige glanced at her and poked her forehead gently. “It’s fine if you don’t tell me. The reports that you were supposed to prepare by next week were rescheduled to be finished by tomorrow. I was planning to help you, but it seems like you don’t need my help anymore.”When the younger secretary heard Paige’s comment, she immediately hugged Paige’s arm and pleaded. “No, wait. I haven’t finished half of my work. You need to help me, please. I’ll tell you what our conclusion is. We think that Mr. Cedric cheated on Ms. Maia.”“What?” Paige asked in disbelief.“That’s the most likely outcome. We guessed that Mr. Cedric had regretted his behavior, so he came begging for Ms. Maia’s forgiveness. His actions had touched Ms. Maia, so she decided to give him a second chance.”Paige just sighed as she heard them. “Do you think Ms. Maia would forgive a man who has cheated on her?” The younger secr