Chapter 396 A Mysterious Woman
Chapter 396 A Mysterious Woman
Amanda got ready for the day and slipped into her comfortable exercise wear before heading to the villa. As she caught sight of Yacob, who seemed to be running out of patience after waiting for what felt like an eternity, she approached him with a huff and remarked. “Did you have to pick such an early hour? It’s only 7.30AM.”
Then, he held the door open for her and calmly explained, “The journey to the marriage office will likely take 30 minutes, not to mention any traffic delays. Mr. Winters is waiting in line and doesn’t want to delay this matter further.”
Astonished, she gazed at him and was lost for words. Elias, queuing up already? Does he not feel he is taking things a bit too far?
Ironically, the man was conspicuously absent when they were first married, leaving Howard to dispatch his men to handle all the arrangements. Yet, in this moment of remarrying, Elias stood in person at the marriage office and woke up two hours earlier just to line up.
As the clock ticked past 8.00AM, Amanda arrived at the marriage office. While peering through the window, she caught sight of a tall man with a brooding expression. Once the car pulled to a stop, she stepped out.
The moment Elias saw her, he strode up to her and wordlessly pulled her into the building, his emotions still in turmoil from the exhaustive two-hour wait. He had almost succumbed to the fear that she had changed her mind. Thus, when he saw her stepping out of the car, a profound sense of relief washed over him as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his weary shoulders.
“Slow down. I can hardly keep up-” Amanda uttered, nearly breaking into a run to match his brisk pace.
He hastily pulled her into the hall, where a long queue had already formed at the counter for registering new marriages. Suddenly, his face darkened further, and his grip on her hand tightened so intensely
that she winced in pain, furrowing her brow.
However, an awkward chuckle escaped her lips. “It’s not that long. Soon, it’ll be our turn.”
After hearing this, Elias turned to glare at her. “Were you late because you were considering changing your mind?”
“I wasn’t… It’s just that you’re taking this so seriously. We’re not kids anymore, and this is our second marriage. Is there a need to be the first in line?” Amanda’s mind was swirling with bewilderment. Our boy is already in kindergarten. Do we need to focus on something as frivolous as romance?
For what seemed like an eternity, he fixed his gaze on her in utter silence. It was as though his intense stare could penetrate right through her.
“Why are you giving me that look?” His intense gaze left her feeling distinctly uncomfortable, even though she knew she hadn’t done anything wrong.
“Why does it bother you that we’re remarrying? Shouldn’t we still have a sense of ceremony around our marriage? Are you even a woman? What woman doesn’t appreciate romance on such occasions?” Elias had hoped Amanda would value the formality of it all, but he was taken aback by her apparent disdain.
“I…” While she appreciated the sentiment, she couldn’t help but wonder if it was necessary. After all, they were only remarrying.
As a result, his face remained stormy throughout the procedure, and the officers could almost be forgiven for thinking that she had coerced him into the marriage. Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.
As they left the marriage office, a rare smile finally graced his once icy face as he glanced down at the two marriage certificates. Elias decided to keep them both rather than give one to Amanda, and he also
chose not to tell her where they were hidden.
“Aren’t you going to give one to me?” She could not help but ask when she noticed him promptly hiding the two certificates from her sight.
“I’ll keep them safe, he replied with a soft hum.
A hushed silence enveloped her as she gazed at him. Suddenly, a sense of being deceived lingered in her mind. Eventually, she inquired, “What shall we do now?”
Then, his gaze shifted toward her, and he responded, Tll go to the hospital and check on the DNA test result. Afterward, we can swiftly confront that demon and banish it. Otherwise, you and Aiden might hesitate to venture beyond the doorstep, gripped by fear.”
“Oh…”
In the meantime, Elias held the door ajar, patiently waiting for Amanda to enter the car before turning to Yacob, “Send her back to pack up her things.”
“Pack up my things?” she asked, confused.
“Yes, tonight I’ll come by to take you and Aiden back home with me. After all, we’re legally wedded now, and it only makes sense for us to live together,” he stated, presenting his argument so logically that she found herself unable to protest.
Following that, he gently closed the door, and through the tinted glass, she observed him conveying further instructions to Yacob. After a brief exchange, Yacob eventually returned to the car.
As the car gradually drove away, Elias stood in quiet contemplation, his gaze fixed on the receding vehicle.
Curious, Amanda inquired, “What did Elias say to you just now?”
Yacob couldn’t help but smile as he teased, “Do you truly want to know?”
“I do.” His tone of voice had deeply awakened her curiosity.
Then, he cleared his throat and stated, “Mr. Winters has entrusted me with the personal supervision of your packing. Once you’re done, I’ll escort you and Aiden back to the estate. Should the faintest hint of reluctance arise, I won’t hesitate to bring you back forcefully.”
After hearing this, her lips twitched, leaving her momentarily speechless as she couldn’t fathom what that foolish man, Elias, was thinking.
On the other hand, Elias kept a watchful eye as Yacob drove off with Amanda. Then, he returned to his car and headed straight to the hospital.
The prospect of a straightforward DNA test banishing Symeon would have filled him with ecstasy. However, given the pressing matters, he understood it wasn’t the right moment to confront Symeon since. he still had not gotten his hands on Howard’s shares.
After arriving at the hospital, he made a beeline for Dr. Lenard’s office. He had gone to this doctor for help. with the DNA test, hoping to avoid any needless delays.
In the meantime, Elias proceeded directly into the office and settled into a chair, patiently awaiting Dr. Lenard’s return. A few minutes later, an elderly man with a head full of striking white hair entered the room with a displeased expression.
“You’re here, Mr. Winters.”
“Is the DNA test done. Dr. Lenard?” Elias asked.
“Oh, um… Yes,” Dr. Lenard stammered, an odd glint in his eyes. He seemed uncertain, as if unsure where to direct his gaze. Then, he walked over to his desk and retrieved a document from the drawer, which he handed to him.
Before Elias could glance at the test report, the doctor promptly fabricated an excuse to exit the room. “I apologize, but I have an urgent meeting to attend. Feel free to stay here as long as you need,” he said before leaving.
“Very well.”
Just before leaving the room, Dr. Lenard glanced back at Elias, who was busy retrieving the test report from the folder. It became difficult for him to continue staring at Elias’ carefree ignorance, so he quickly left the room.
Meanwhile, Elias opened the document and swiftly flipped through the test report until he reached the last page. He had no doubt about his status as Aiden’s father, but he yearned to see the confirmation. However, shock consumed him as his eyes fell upon the results, causing his pupils to dilate in disbelief. Surprise and confusion painted his face, for the report suggested the improbable – he was likely not Aiden’s father. It is not possible! How could Aiden not be my son, given that the brat resembled me?
The situation was beyond complicated; it felt as if he had been struck by lightning. How could something so impossible become possible? How could the DNA test claim I am not Aiden’s father? How could Symeon be his father? Uncertainty and bewilderment overwhelmed him, leaving him wondering what in the world was happening and how everything had turned so complicated.
Suddenly, a loud crash resonated from outside the office.
“Aah! I’m so sorry, Miss! I didn’t mean to bump into you.”
Elias’ head snapped around at the sudden crash of a nurse’s tray hitting the floor. Curiosity piqued, he hastened to the door and cautiously poked his head out of the room, only to see a mysterious woman walking away.