I Married My Ex's Billionaire Father
Chapter 246: Determined

Chapter 246: Determined

The sitting room of the hotel suite felt heavy with the residue of their failed attempt. Lottie and Brooke sat on the plush velvet sofa, their faces etched with disappointment. The air crackled with unspoken frustration.

"That stupid woman," Brooke hissed, her voice laced with venom. "If Ophelia had not interfered, we would have had that old woman eating out of our hands."

Lottie sighed, rubbing her temples. "I see that Ophelia will always be a thorn in our side. But we can’t let her deter us. We have to find another way."

Brooke’s eyes widened with panic. "But what if we don’t? What if we are unable to convince them that

I am not Maeve’s daughter? How are we supposed to cheat the DNA test? We are going to lose everything before we even have a whiff of it!" She shrieked.

The thought of losing the Welhaven fortune, the lavish lifestyle they had come to expect, sent a shiver of dread down Brooke’s spine. She had always believed that she was supposed to be very wealthy, and to find out that there was a lot of money waiting for Maeve Welhaven’s daughter? That money was rightfully hers, an inheritance that she deserved.

Lottie reached out and placed a reassuring hand on Brooke’s arm. "Don’t you worry, darling," she said, her voice laced with a grim determination. "I won’t let that happen. We will get that inheritance. We will pass that DNA test, I have not come all this way to lose."

Brooke looked at her mother, her eyes filled with a desperate hope. "But how, Mom? How can we be sure we will pass when we know the truth?"

Lottie’s lips curled into a thin, confident smile. "Leave that to me," she said, her voice laced with a chilling assurance. "I have a plan."

She had done too much, worked too hard to watch the reward for all that hardwork pass her. Lottie was determined to do everything in her power to ensure that the inheritance went to Brooke. She deserved to be a powerful woman with a lot of money, nobody was going to stop her from getting that.

Just then, Brooke’s phone chimed with a notification. She picked it up, her eyes widening as she read the message. "It’s from the lawyer," she announced, her voice trembling slightly. "It’s the details for the DNA testing facility."

"We are going to get arrested for fraud," Brooke said fearfully, her eyes round at the thought of going to jail. "Let’s run away before they take us."

Lottie shook Brooke until her teeth rattled. "Get a hold of yourself!" Lottie snapped and Brooke immediately quieted down.

Lottie’s eyes gleamed with a predatory light. "This is a good thing." she said, her voice low and dangerous. "This is our chance to secure your future."

She stood up, her movements decisive, and stood in front of the mirror and touched up on her makeup. When she was done, she picked up her handbag. Brooke watched her, her eyes filled with a mixture of fear and anticipation.

"Where are you going, Mom?" she asked, her voice laced with anxiety. "Are you leaving me here alone? What if that Ophelia woman tried to do something? She scares me."

Lottie turned to her, her expression grim and determined. "I am going to get our fortune, Brooke," she said, her voice laced with a chilling resolve. "I’m going to make sure that we get what’s rightfully ours."

"And as for Ophelia, she won’t try something now because all fingers will point to her as the suspect. You are perfectly safe here."

With that, she turned around and walked out of the room, her footsteps echoing through the mansion, leaving Brooke alone with her thoughts. The weight of their deception, the potential consequences of their actions, pressed down on her like a physical burden.

*

Lottie, her face set in a grim mask of determination, kept a steady eye on the test facility across the street. She had arrived early, positioning herself strategically to observe the comings and goings of the staff.

She had done her research within the brief time, meticulously gathering information about the facility and its personnel. A photograph of Dr. Maxwell, the lead physician overseeing the DNA testing, was prominently displayed on her phone screen. She had committed his face to memory, ensuring she would recognize him the moment he emerged.

The sun began to dip below the horizon, casting long, distorted shadows across the street. The facility’s entrance doors opened, and a stream of employees began to filter out, heading towards their waiting vehicles or the nearby bus stop. Lottie’s eyes scanned each face, searching for Dr. Maxwell.

Finally, she spotted him. Dr. Maxwell, a middle-aged man with a receding hairline and a perpetually harried expression, stepped out of the facility, his briefcase clutched tightly in his hand. He glanced at his watch, then crossed the street, heading towards a small, unassuming diner.

Lottie’s heart pounded with anticipation. This was her chance. She started the car, pulling out into the traffic stream and following Dr. Maxwell at a discreet distance. She kept her headlights low, blending into the city’s nocturnal hum.

Dr. Maxwell entered the diner, taking a seat at a booth near the back. Lottie parked a block away, then walked towards the diner, her movements casual, her demeanor nonchalant. She entered the diner, scanning the interior. She spotted Dr. Maxwell and chose a booth near the front, giving her a clear view of him.

She ordered a coffee, her eyes never leaving Dr. Maxwell. She watched as he ate his meal, his expression preoccupied, his mind clearly elsewhere. She waited patiently, her resolve unwavering.

After finishing his meal, Dr. Maxwell paid his bill and exited the diner. Lottie followed, keeping a safe distance. He walked down a quiet side street, heading towards a residential area. Lottie’s suspicion grew. Why was he taking this route?

He stopped in front of a modest, two-story house, fumbling with his keys. He entered, and the lights flickered on inside. Lottie parked her car a few houses down, then stepped out, her movements silent and stealthy.

She approached the house, her footsteps muffled by the soft grass. She peered through the window, observing Dr. Maxwell as he moved through the living room, his movements weary. He seemed oblivious to the presence outside.

Lottie’s mind raced. She had to act quickly. She couldn’t afford to lose this opportunity. She knew that she had to get inside the house, to confront Dr. Maxwell, to ensure that the DNA results were in their favor.

She scanned the perimeter of the house, searching for an alternative entrance. A side gate, slightly ajar, caught her attention. She slipped through the gate, her movements fluid and silent.

She approached the back door, finding it unlocked. She hesitated for a moment, then turned the handle, stepping into the darkened kitchen. The house was quiet, the only sound the soft hum of the refrigerator.

She moved through the house, her senses on high alert. She found Dr. Maxwell in his study, sitting at his desk, his back to her. He was engrossed in his work, oblivious to her presence.