Suddenly There Are Three (Bailey and Artemis)

Chapter 6

Despite how much that child resembled him, Artemis still refused to believe that he was related to him.

The only time I slept with a woman was eight years ago when Simon tricked me into doing it. Seven

and a half months later, Rhonda came to me with a child, and the DNA report showed that that boy was

indeed mine. But that is a standalone case. Given Rhonda's greed, she would've brought the other

child with her if she had had two babies back then. There's no way she will let the other kid go.

Based on that conclusion, Artemis was confident that the news on Twitter was no more than a prank.

He scrutinized the photo, and a mocking grin curved on his lips after some time.

It might look like there's nothing wrong with this photo, but nothing escapes my eyes.

Artemis could tell that that picture was edited by merging his and the boy's photo with great precision

until both images integrated seamlessly.

This kind of technology is only available to some of the top-notch international hackers. There's no way

a regular person can do this.

Artemis was suddenly reminded of Spook.

I've hunted Spook down for half a year. Don't tell me this is revenge, but this is childish. Since this

picture is merged, I bet I can split them up again. If I can do that, this lie will fall apart on its own. I'm not

sure if this is the best way for revenge, Spook. You can't take me down with such an underhanded

stunt.

Artemis picked up his phone from the table and called his assistant. “Contact all the major press

companies in the country. Luther Group will hold a press conference tomorrow. I will explain the rumor

about my 'illegitimate child' in person.”

“Mr. Luther, don't you think it'll be too controversial to address the public yourself?” the assistant asked.

“Just do as I said,” Artemis insisted.

I can't wait to see what the other side is playing at. Let's see if you can really push me to the eye of the

storm.

Within the next half an hour, news about Artemis holding a press conference to explain the rumor

became a trending discussion, replacing all the former hot topics.

Over in the study at Shelbert Condominium, the two children sprawled on the table, planning their next

move.

“Hey, Dummy. Have you tried doing live streaming before?” Zayron called out.

Maxton frowned at the name.

Dummy? Why does it feel like it's a name suitable for Hado?

“Nope, Idiot. Why don't you teach me?” Maxton replied.

Zayron's face twitched at the rejoin. It turns out he's not as dumb as I thought. Why did the reporters

say he's mentally challenged? Besides, he doesn't look like he's autistic to me. He's clever with his

words and even swears sometimes.

When Maxton saw that his question was greeted with silence, he thought Zayron was angry. He did not

want to be chased out of the house, so he continued, “I'll do anything you ask me to do if you teach me

how to do live streaming.”

Zayron scoffed, “You're quite sensible, aren't you? This is my house, so if you want to stay here with

my mommy, you'd better listen to everything I say.”

Maxton darted his gaze around before asking, “Then can you give your mommy to my daddy too?”

“What?” Zayron babbled in shock. “Did you just ask me to give my mommy to your daddy? No way.

You're my aunt's son, so that makes your daddy my uncle.”

“She's not my mother,” Maxton replied.

Zayron's eyes turned wide as saucers.

“Wow. Okay. I might be naughty sometimes, but at least I still acknowledge my mother. Don't you think

you're a little too much? I can't believe you're so cruel,” Zayron remarked.

Maxton glared at him with his cheeks flushed red in anger.

I knew he wouldn't believe me! Not even Daddy believes what I said. They always think I'm just being

ridiculous.

“Whatever. Forget it then.”

Zayron puckered his lips before he continued, “Well, to be honest, I came back to Hallsbay this time to

settle an old score with your mommy. She put my mommy through a hard time some time ago. In fact,

your mommy is the reason why we lost our... Never mind. I just won't let her off the hook that easily.”

Maxton nodded firmly after hearing that. “I'll help you. Nobody bullies Mommy like that.” Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Zayron was at a loss for words.

Is he really dumb?

“All right. That's enough talk. Let's discuss tomorrow's live stream. Since your daddy is having a press

conference, we should give him a big surprise.”

“I'm down. It'd be better if we can throw Rhonda a curveball, too,” Maxton replied readily.

Zayron looked at him, tongue-tied again.

He is dumb.

Meanwhile, Bailey was humming a tune in the living room as she lay on the couch in her pajamas. She

had decided to pamper herself with a mask that evening.

Ha! What a wonderful life. It'd be nice if a man could keep me warm, though. But too bad. Nothing of

this sort is happening with the two kids around. No one out there would want a woman with two

children. I bet they'd feel drained in the long run if they tried to be a dad.

Ring!

Someone was at the door.

Bailey glanced at the clock subconsciously.

It's eleven already. Who could it be? Don't tell me it's her.

“Zayron, answer the door.”

No one replied to Bailey from inside the study.

Ring!

Bailey finally could not stand the persistent ringing at the door, so she got up and went to open the door

in her baggy pajamas, still wearing her facial mask.

She was so shocked her legs gave way when she saw who was at the door.

A-Artemis!

A strong arm caught her in time, and the same deep, rich voice sounded from above her head. “It

seems like you're afraid of me, Ms. Bailey. Did you do something that made you feel guilty?”

Bailey swallowed hard.

I did. I did wrong you big time. I was cash-strapped back then, so I hacked three billion out of your bank

account, and you pursued me for half a year worldwide. That's why you made me jump out of my skin.

Artemis' gaze fell on the woman in his arms, and a fleeting hint of disgust gleamed in his eyes. I can't

believe she came to get the door wearing this. Her personal life must be a mess.

“Two minutes. You've been holding on to me for two minutes now. Don't you think it's time you let me

go?” he questioned.

“Oh! I'm sorry. My mind was somewhere else,” Bailey quickly answered, standing back up and smiling.

“Are you here to get your son, my dear brother-in-law?”

Brother-in-law?

Artemis frowned subtly. He had never acknowledged Rhonda as his wife.

When Rhonda went to him with the child, Artemis had only accepted Maxton. He did not once mention

that Rhonda was part of the family, so he was displeased when he heard Bailey addressing him that

way, but since Artemis was used to concealing his emotion, Bailey could not tell he was upset from his

expression.

“Is Max in there? He's been away for days. It's time for him to come home,” Artemis said.