Chapter 496: Family
Chloe pretended to faint but soon woke up, insisting on seeing Joy Chaucer. Joy Chaucer entered the hospital room again, and when Meredith tried to follow, Chloe snapped, "I don't want to see you. Leave."
Chloe naturally didn't want to see Meredith. She even regretted not having killed Meredith back then or abandoned her in a more remote mountain area. That way, no one would compete with her daughter. Meredith's survival was already frustrating enough, but her luck made it worse. She managed to reclaim what was hers, ruining Chloe's long-term plans.
Meredith stood at the door, refusing to leave, and said deliberately, "Chloe, I forgot to tell you something. My father is still alive. If he finds out you kidnapped me back then, he'll come for you, and not even the police can stop him." This was no lie. Darcy DuMont, being a French prince and a member of the royal family, had the authority that even the police wouldn't dare challenge given Chloe's prior crimes.
Chloe was incredulous. "Impossible! That man has been dead for over twenty years. You're lying, Meredith."
Meredith said nothing more but gave Joy Chaucer a meaningful look before turning to leave. That look sent a shiver down Joy Chaucer's spine.
The police wouldn't allow Joy Chaucer and Chloe to meet alone; Liam Michaelson had to be present. There were things Chloe couldn't say under these conditions. She could only hold Joy Chaucer's hand and repeatedly advise, "Run the company well and live a good life. You must listen to Ferris; he's worth trusting."
Chloe wanted Joy Chaucer to keep a low profile to avoid trouble. However, Joy Chaucer didn't understand Chloe's deeper meaning and wouldn't let go of his hatred and jealousy.
After leaving the hospital, Meredith called Terrence Sterling and informed him about Chloe's severe illness. Even if Chloe died from her illness, it wouldn't satisfy Meredith; she wanted Joy Chaucer brought to justice.
Joy Chaucer had help behind the scenes, and Chloe was willing to take the blame herself to protect him. Despite any suspicions, there was no physical evidence or witnesses against him. Legally speaking, they couldn't touch Joy Chaucer. Meredith returned to the Chaucer family home and picked up Darcy DuMont. That evening, Darcy invited Stellar and Julian for dinner.
When Meredith informed Stellar and Julian about the invitation, they didn't know what it was about-only that someone was treating them to dinner.
At Red Lantern Bistro.
Darcy DuMont, immersed in sorrow, had booked a private room early and waited with Meredith for the others. Terrence Sterling also headed towards the bistro after receiving the notification. Stellar and Julian arrived first. Upon entering the private room and seeing Meredith along with a French prince inside, they were stunned.
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"Meredith, what's this?" Julian asked in confusion.
Stellar added, "Meredith, is the person who invited us for dinner really a French prince?"
Before Meredith could respond, Darcy DuMont stood up and bowed deeply to them, shocking both Stellar and Julian.
Julian quickly returned the bow. "Hello, hello."
Julian thought this must be a greeting ritual of the French royal family.
Stellar followed suit with a bow as well-after all, he was royalty; even national leaders would personally receive such people. How could ordinary folks like them not reciprocate? Their reactions amused Meredith. "Dad, Mom, there's no need to be so formal; we're all family."
Family?
Stellar and Julian were even more confused and exchanged glances.
Darcy DuMont spoke seriously: "I am Darcy DuMont. Years ago when Bianca and I got married, you both attended our wedding. Today I am not a prince; I am simply Darcy DuMont-Meredith's father and Bianca's husband." This revelation left Stellar and Julian utterly shocked.
Julian stammered in disbelief: "You-you-you're Darcy DuMont?"
Stellar was equally astonished: "The Darcy DuMont who supposedly died over twenty years ago? How is that possible? You look completely different! Even with age-related changes in appearance, it shouldn't be this drastic." Julian added: "The Darcy DuMont we knew was an ordinary man; otherwise he wouldn't have married into the Chaucer family as an in-law. How could he be you?"
At that moment, the door of the private room opened again as Terrence Sterling walked in from outside: "Dad, Mom, he really is Meredith's biological father and also a royal prince."