Chapter 570 - 166 False Son Revealed

Chapter 570: Chapter 166 False Son Revealed

Connor’s POV

I drove my armored Escalade through the narrow streets leading to Priscilla’s establishment on the city’s industrial outskirts. Her high-end escort service catered exclusively to the most powerful families in the organization, operating under the guise of an exclusive private club. The women there understood discretion and luxury in equal measure, and Priscilla herself had proven invaluable for delicate situations requiring a woman’s touch.

"Well, if it isn’t the feared Connor himself, gracing us with an early visit," Priscilla purred as I entered her opulent office, decorated with velvet drapes and gold-framed mirrors.

"I require your services for a special procurement," I stated, settling my imposing frame into the leather chair across from her mahogany desk.

She arched a perfectly sculpted eyebrow. "And what compensation do I receive for this favor?"

"Name your terms. We both know nothing in this organization comes without a price." Her crimson lips curved into a knowing smile. "I need you to acquire certain feminine articles."

"Connor, darling, developing new interests in your golden years? A man of your reputation suddenly concerning himself with ladies’ attire?" Her dark eyes sparkled with dangerous amusement.

"Mind your tongue, Priscilla. These items are for my intended bride," I growled, my voice carrying the weight of barely contained violence.

Her expression shifted to genuine astonishment. "Marriage? A man like you?"

"Marriage indeed. And I trust you’ll continue providing your usual services even after my nuptials." My cold smile held no warmth.

"Why not allow your bride-to-be to handle her own shopping arrangements?"

"That’s beyond your concern." She responded with an elegant shrug, understanding the boundaries of our professional relationship.

"Acquire an appropriate white wedding gown and several of those expensive undergarments your girls favor. Include additional formal dresses as well. She’ll obtain the remainder herself later." I placed a thick envelope of cash on her desk. "This should more than suffice."

"Quite generous. What are her measurements?"

I gestured toward one of the escorts visible through the office’s one-way glass. "Approximately her size." I motioned for the woman to join us. "Yes, similar proportions. While you’re handling the shopping, I’ll avail myself of her companionship."

Later, Priscilla returned as I was concluding my business arrangement. I compensated her for both the shopping expedition and the escort’s services, then departed with my carefully wrapped packages.

Arriving at my fortified compound, I had initially planned to summon the family’s private notary but reconsidered—conducting business on my own territory eliminated potential eavesdroppers. As I crossed the threshold of my mansion, an unwelcome sight greeted me.

"Sir, this young man has been waiting for quite some time," my longtime housekeeper informed me with barely concealed disapproval.

"What fresh annoyance is this?" I muttered. "Take these packages to my private quarters. Where’s my worthless son?"

"Out gambling and carousing, as always." She gathered the shopping bags and disappeared down the marble-floored corridor.

I entered my study to find Justin Sullivan seated on the expensive Italian leather sofa, wearing an expression of misplaced confidence.

"Connor, we have pressing family business to discuss," the young man announced with ridiculous pomposity.

"Do we indeed? What might that concern?" I found the boy’s presumption almost entertaining.

"I’ve recently learned that you’re my biological father and—" I couldn’t contain my laughter, the sound echoing off the wood-paneled walls. I laughed until my chest ached, watching the color drain from Justin’s face. When my amusement finally subsided, the boy stared at me in obvious shock.

"Justin, which fool filled your head with such nonsense?" I wiped moisture from my eyes.

"My mother confided in me... After Nathaniel demanded a paternity test, she revealed that I’m your legitimate son." The pride in his voice was almost pathetic.

"So Nathaniel finally developed some intelligence! Listen carefully, boy, your mother is nothing more than a manipulative whore. I am definitely not your father." I chuckled again, amazed that Claire would attempt such an obvious scam. She knew I wasn’t as gullible as her former mark.

"But she swore—" I cut him off with a dismissive wave.

"Go home and interrogate ’Pudge’—that’s what everyone in the organization called your mother, in case you remained ignorant of her reputation. Ask her about the degenerate gambler who bestowed that charming nickname. He’s your actual progenitor. But I’ll save you the investigation. He was a pathetic card sharp who spent his miserable existence losing family money and running penny-ante cons. Your mother was obsessed with him, though he barely acknowledged her existence. After she lost the weight, he’d occasionally use her when he couldn’t secure better company. Pudge craved the luxurious lifestyle that loser couldn’t provide, so she ensnared Nathaniel, who possessed wealth but was already married. She attempted the same con on me initially but failed spectacularly. And she won’t succeed now either. You’re the absolute image of your real father, kid—you even inherited his self-destructive gambling addiction. Now remove yourself from my property. I have legitimate family business to conduct."

Justin sat frozen, struggling to process the devastating revelation. "Move it, boy. Out!"

He fled my mansion, undoubtedly racing back to confront Pudge with a barrage of accusations. This was precisely the complication I didn’t need—I already supported one disappointment of a son, but at least that one carried my actual DNA. I refused to accept financial responsibility for another man’s genetic mistake.

After Justin’s hasty departure, I contacted my most trusted lieutenant to verify Lila’s condition. The man confirmed her location—a brilliant safehouse where no law enforcement would consider searching. He reported that she had regained consciousness despite her injuries. He’d procured medical supplies and bandages, and his wife was providing nursing care. I warned him that if Lila sustained even the slightest permanent damage, Claire would suffer unimaginable consequences. I promised to contact him with additional instructions and assured him of substantial compensation.

Next, I telephoned the family’s private notary to arrange the ceremony. Given the late hour, I reached the man at his residence. I wanted an early morning wedding, but the notary refused, citing an unmovable prior commitment. He also required time to prepare the backdated documentation. We agreed on an afternoon ceremony at the private registry office. I still needed to determine how to transport Lila there without detection, but Inspector Andrew would handle those logistics.

I immediately called Andrew and instructed him to ensure complete privacy at the registry office during my wedding ceremony. Andrew assured me everything was arranged—he would plant false evidence to misdirect those fools searching for Lila. His confidence satisfied me. Now I simply needed to wait for the appropriate moment. I’d confront Claire in the morning; currently, she was likely engaged in a fascinating conversation with her bastard son. What I wouldn’t give to witness that particular family reunion!