Turning Of the Tide by Diana Sander

Chapter 143

Hackett carried Ruby downstairs, and compared to when he first picked her up, he was a bit more

proficient now as the saying said, “Practice makes perfect.”

He gently placed Ruby on the couch and patiently said goodbye to her. “Bye–bye, young lady.”

Joy thought her son was acting a bit strange. He had just returned home for a short while, and now he

wanted to go out again. Wouldn’t this leave a bad impression in front of Juana? She glared at her son

and said, “Didn’t you say you would not go to the company? Why are you going out again? Just stay at

home if there’s nothing to do.”

Hackett slightly tugged the corner of his lips and started to lie. “Mom, I was not planning to go out, but

Mr. Wilson and Mr. Roberts wanted to see me for something important, so I have to go for a while.”

Originally, he planned to ask Frank about the child’s biological mother, but he turned out to be too

clever. He did not need to exert any effort or resources to solve the case. It also saved him from

Frank’s teasing.

When Joy heard that Mr. Wilson and Mr. Roberts wanted to see her son, she did not stop him. Both of

them were not people who would mess around. “Go ahead.”

At a private hospital.

Hackett handed the samples to his friend and straightforwardly said, “Do a paternity test for me to

determine the relationship.”

He came to a private hospital to avoid Natalie and Sherri, just in case he ran into them. He still had

some tricks up his sleeve.

The man in the white coat had a straight nose and wore a pair of gold–rimmed glasses, giving off an

elegant vibe. The lenses were thick enough to hide his emotions. A hint of a smile appeared in his eyes

upon hearing Hackett’s request.

Chris Yamin smiled and took one hand to receive the samples while the other remained in his pocket.

He glanced at the samples and looked meaningfully at Hackett. “Could it be your illegitimate child?”

Hackett was a little annoyed by the direct hit of his mind. “Enough with the nonsense. Someone asked

me to do it. If you don’t want to, I’ll ask somebody else.”

Chris continued to smile mischievously. Then why did you come to my private hospital? Why not go to

Athana Hospital? Tell me, is it for the paternity test?”

Hackett remained silent. After being a doctor for so many years, he understood things well enough. He

decided not to continue teasing. “Fine, I’ll wait. It’ll take three hours. Go to my office and have a cup of

coffee.”

After speaking, he turned and entered his private research room.

Chris was the young heir of the Yamin family in Athana, and their main industry was hospitals. They

had been in the medical profession for generations, from nurses to professors. The Yamin family also

owned numerous private hospitals in Athana, and the one they were in belonged to Chris. Besides

being expensive, it had always been in competition with public hospitals.

Having Chris personally conducted the test, Hackett felt more at ease and relieved. He walked towards

Chris’s office. casually pouring himself a cup of coffee, lazily sitting in the chair, and playing League of

Legends on his mobile phone.

Unconsciously, he played the game for several hours. Chris pushed the door open and saw Hackett

immersed in the game. “You seem to be quite relaxed”

Hackett did not even raise his head upon hearing Chris‘ words. He felt confident that he had already

inquired about the child’s mother, so he did not think the child was his. He spoke calmly, “Well, I am

here to wait for the results from you. What is it?” He continued playing the game on his phone, without

raising his gaze.

Chris threw a thin piece of paper directly onto the table. “Tell your so–called friend that the child is

indeed yours. Get ready to be a father.”

Upon hearing this, Hackett’s hand holding the phone trembled, almost dropping it. He quickly caught it

with his agile reflexes. The screen went black after being killed in the game, and his eyes revealed a

hint of shock. He looked up at Chris in disbelief. “Are you sure you did not make a mistake?”

Chris suspected the reason behind Hackett’s big reaction, which could only be that he did not know he

was the child’s biological father. Otherwise, why would he be so surprised? “With this overwhelming

reaction, are you unable to accept that the child is your own, or are you just trying to find an excuse for

yourself? Don’t think of shifting the responsibility onto me. The paternity test is accurate, don’t you dare

suspect my expertise. Even if you take it to Athana Hospital, the result will be the same. Keep the

report and accept that the child is yours.”

Ignoring Hackett’s shock, Chris went to make himself a cup of coffee. “You still have time to slowly

accept it. Judging from the hair sample you brought, the child is about a year old. It’s your lack of

morals. The child has grown up without you fulfilling any fatherly responsibilities. Do you even have the

audacity? Are you trying to become a scumbag?”

The smile that had frozen on Hackett’s face from a few seconds ago remained there. He did not bother

arguing with Chris anymore about the child being someone else’s. His mind was in turmoil, like a roller

coaster ride. A person who had been

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single for 29 years suddenly became a father. Wasn’t this leap a bit too quick? With a trembling hand,

he picked up the paper from the table, causing it to shake along with his hand. His gaze landed on the

last line, 99.99%.

Hackett stood still like a statue, motionless. His thoughts were in chaos. Damn it, Sherri not only kept

his child but also raised it.

She was capable enough to have his child for two years overseas and hid it completely from him. She

planned to deprive him of being a father for a lifetime. And that child, how did she tell him? Her mother

was Natalie, and even Mrs. Landor said the child did not belong to him. These manipulations were

definitely to hide the truth from him. Just thinking about it made him feel like he had to give Sherri a

lesson.

In the midst of his thoughts, Hackett suddenly had a question. He vaguely remembered his mother

mentioning that the child’s mother had given birth to twins. The daughter was his, but what about the

boy? He made a daring guess. If the children were the same age, then the boy would be….

With this answer in mind, he felt somewhat relieved. At least now he knew the children were his, and

that arrogant man probably had no idea. He would keep it a secret and never ever tell him.

Chris thought that Hackett was so happy that he was acting silly with his joy. “What’s the big deal? It’s

just having a child. Why are you so happy?”

Mentioning the child, Hackett thought to himself. “Of course. How cute the child looks! It’s not like I

can’t accept having such a beautiful child. As for the child’s mother, that’s still pending. I still haven’t

settled the score with her for what she did to me. Now I have one more reason.”

After figuring it out, he got up and tidied his clothes in a joyful mood. The shock on his face was gone.

“I’m leaving. Thanks, I’ll treat you to a meal next time.”

Chris did not stop him, thinking he might have things to take care of. “Sure, I’ll be waiting. Hurry up and

go. I’m busy.”

Hackett did not go home; instead, he drove to the Blackwell Group in a complex mood. He kept

reminding himself that he was going to be a father and that he had such an adorable little girl.

After parking the car, he held his phone and occasionally touched the paper in his pocket, afraid of

losing it. He was filled with surprise, excitement, and an indescribable mix of emotions.

Just three hours ago, he was single, and now he was a father. What a leap it was… Sherri Landor, this

woman really surprised and startled him.

If his mother knew that the little girl she liked turned out to be her granddaughter, she would be

overjoyed. As he thought about it, he entered the elevator.

Seeing the boss with a smile on his face, the secretary guessed that something good must have

happened. “Mr. Blackwell, did you hit on another girl?”

Hackett had a good temperament and always joked with the people in the office, so everyone found

him easy to get along with. Even the secretary could ask random questions about his private life.

Still maintaining his smile, Hackett’s mind was filled with the face of Ruby from earlier that morning. He

had to admit that his genes were good. How cute the child was!

After coming back to his senses, he replied to the secretary, “No, I preserve my moral integrity well.

Don’t spread rumors.”

The secretary laughed. It was fine to use the term for others, but was it appropriate for him? He was

the one who had been trending with gossip on the net every now and then. Nevertheless, she

maintained her professional smile.

Hackett walked into his father’s office. Without waiting for his father to ask, he took out the paper

excitedly from his pocket and carefully spread it out in front of him, wearing a proud smile on his face.

Nathan stopped signing the documents and took the paper to look at it. His gaze also landed on the

last line, and his eyes narrowed with excitement. However, he was afraid that his son would be cocky if

he reacted overwhelmingly, so he suppressed his emotions, lifted his head, and said, “What’s your

plan?”

Hackett thought his father would praise him, but the first thing his father said was this question, which

caught him off guard. On the way there, he had not thought about it. He only thought the child was cute

and that he could accept it. He had not really considered other issues.

Hackett was confused by the question. He scratched his head, not knowing how to answer. He was

afraid that his father would lecture him on the matter if anything answered wrongly, so he chose to be

silent, waiting for his father’s guidance.

Seeing his son’s expression, Nathan had a rough idea. Most likely. Hackett had not thought about what

to do. So, you’re not planning to let my granddaughter come back to our family and will continue having

someone else take responsibility for her? If your mother finds out, you’ll definitely get scolded”

Hackett felt a bit smug. His mother had been demanding grandchildren all the time. Now that he had

produced such a beautiful child, she would be overjoyed. How could she bear to lecture him? Although

he had the thought in mind, he did not show any signs of pride on his face. “I have not decided yet.”

Nathan asked directly, “Whose child is it? Is it the friend of Miss Landor?” He remembered his wife

really liked Miss Landor.

Chapter 143

If the child belonged to someone else, his wife’s dream of having Miss Landor as a daughter–in–law

would be shattered, but the dream of having a granddaughter would come true.

“It’s Sherri Landor’s” He was extremely certain that he had never had any physical relationship with

Mrs. Wilson, and the only person who could have entrusted the child to her was Sherri.

A hint of surprise flashed in Nathan’s eyes. His wife seemed to have it all, a dream daughter–in–law

and a granddaughter. But on the surface, he reprimanded his son. “How could that lady let someone

else take care of her child? You need to reflect on the reasons. If you were reliable, she would not have

secretly given birth to your child without telling you.”

Hackett was a bit frustrated with Sherri’s actions. He scratched his head in annoyance, leaning back in

his office chair. “I

know.”

Just a moment ago, he had thought of seeking revenge, but now his father’s words had left him

somewhat confused. “Apologize sincerely to Miss Landor and try to make her forgive you. Don’t act

carelessly. Don’t tell your mother about this for now to avoid causing a big fuss.” Nathan could imagine

the scene once his wife knew the truth. Right now, he did not know what Miss Landor thought about

their son. It was better to observe quietly and wait for the dust to settle.

Hackett obediently accepted his father’s advice. Now, any desire for revenge had completely

disappeared. The thought of defeating Sherri had become irrelevant.