Chapter 857

chapter857

She believed her act of kindness had been rewarded with the child in her womb.

That little girl had been her lucky star.

After discussing it, she and her husband decided to adopt the three-year-old and named her Kathleen, hoping she would never forget where she came from and would always honor her origins.

Yet, the reality was the exact opposite.

Looking at the stranger her adopted daughter had become, Geneva's long-frozen heart ached with a fresh wave of pain.

Neely rose and supported his trembling wife.

"Do you think we care about this connection to the Sullivan family?" he said, his voice like ice.

"If it weren't for Corley, my words today would have been far harsher.

"If you want to negotiate with us, you need to bring something of equal value to the table. The Sullivans, including Teague, are worthless to us."

Kathleen shot to her feet in fury. "You "

Corley quickly stepped in, restraining her. Mom, that's enough!"

"You're my son! Why aren't you helping me?!"

Corley's eyes were dark pools of shadow as he spoke, enunciating each word.

"I'm only going to ask you once. Were you involved in my aunt's disappearance all those years ago?"

"Corley!" "Were you, or were you not?"

"Corley!"

"So you were."

"You"

Kathleen was stunned that her own son wouldn't take her side.

Corley stumbled back a few steps, his eyes falling to the floor in defeat.

So that was it...

No wonder his grandmother had never liked his mother.

No wonder his parents fought so often. No wonder Kathleen carried so much bitterness.

It all made sense now.

Late that night, the wind howled, feeling like a razor against the skin.

After forcing Kathleen to leave, Corley was asked to stay behind by his grandfather.

Neely said three things to him.

"You are a good boy. For all these

years,

've been the one looking

out for us. You are our only

remaining te to this city .net>

"We didn't tell you what we planned to say at the banquet, partly because we didn't know how, and partly`

because we wanted to see your reaction

"Corley, you didn't disappoint us. Do you... still want to be our grandson?"

They had disowned Kathleen, but they couldn't bear to lose Corley.

In the garden below, Corley lit a cigarette, holding it between his fingers.

The smoke curled and danced in the air, but he was lost in thought, forgetting to take a drag.

The cigarette burned, the smoke drifted, and his downcast eyes hid his expression.

"Well, what a coincidence." A sneering voice cut through the silence.

Murray stepped out of the shadows, a half-smoked cigarette in his own hand.

A mocking smile played on his lips.

"What a fantastic performance. You almost had me convinced. But it just goes to show you can't fake what isn't real. Inever thought you, Coffey, would resort to such childish games."

Corley turned his cold gaze on him.

"Fancy seeing you here, Murray."

It's no coincidence. I was waiting for you."

"...Do you need something?"

He wasn't in the mood to fight with him tonight.

Murray raised an eyebrow, his calm demeanor uncharacteristic.

After years of friendship, Corley knew him inside and out.

But then he considered the circumstances. The news that they were now cousins was public.

It was only natural for Corley to be upset.

He remembered how Corley had deliberately provoked him outside Roseanne's apartment.

Back then, Corley could never have imagined that karma would come back to bite him so spectacularly.

Congratulations, Murray continued with a smile. A family reunion. A cause for universal celebration."

He twisted the knife without a shred of mercy.