Falling For My Ex's Uncle - Chapter 194: Chapter 194

The Herrera Group was in the midst of a critical situation, dealing with financial problems.
Given the marriage alliance between the Parks family and the Herrera family, Austin was now considered part of the Parks family, and naturally, he would look to them for assistance.
If the Adams family were to lend a hand to the Herrera Group, the Herrera Group would return the favor and offer their support in the future.
Even a minimal stake in the Herrera Group would be advantageous to the Adams family.
Having signed a contract with the Parks family regarding the Nifelheim City development project, the Herrera Group would now have to provide the necessary funds to move forward with it.
"But how could Alex possibly accept my family's investment?" Marvin frowned slightly. "The Herrera and Parks families are united through marriage—they're all in the same boat."
"Do you really think the Parks family cares for Austin?" I asked.
Marvin seemed taken aback. He muttered, "But didn't Austin propose to Kailyn last night?"
"Did you see anything about the engagement in the entertainment news?" I asked, tilting my head at Marvin.
After a brief pause, Marvin seemed to connect the dots. "No wonder the other members of the Parks family weren't there," he said.
He pressed his lips together. "The news reports only mention the Herrera family's adopted daughter and not a word about the marriage between the two families. Yet, the invitations have already been sent out—are they going to cancel the marriage alliance?"
"What do you think?" I asked, arching an eyebrow and giving Marvin a meaningful look.
Marvin smiled suddenly, a look of realization crossing his face. "Now I get it. The Parks family set this up on purpose to cause financial issues for the Herrera Group, hoping to take control of it.
"And now you're having us use the Parks Group's money to help the Herrera family, which is like stabbing them in the back."
"Let Mrs. Adams handle the negotiations. She'll figure out a way to make the Herrera family accept it," I said.
Marvin nodded decisively. "Got it. But why do you need to meet with Rosemary?"
"She asked to see me," I replied with a faint smile. "But actually, I have something important to discuss with Rosemary too."
Marvin looked at me, puzzled. "We're on the same side now, so shouldn't you tell me about this important matter too?"
I smiled and threw a glance at Marvin.
"Because I want Rosemary to know that she was never really a daughter of the Read family—her biological father is Kayden."
Marvin's expression was a mixture of shock and disbelief. "Rosemary is Kayden's real daughter? So... that would make her and Austin half-siblings, wouldn't it?"
As he spoke, he pinched the bridge of his nose and then reached for the bottle of water on the car's dashboard. "No wonder the Herrera family wants to send Austin overseas. If anyone found out about Rosemary and Austin, it'd be a huge scandal."
I gave a small shake of my head.
"Who told you they are siblings?" I asked.
Marvin choked on the water, coughing repeatedly.
I gently patted his shoulder, observing his flushed face, and sighed softly. "Why are you getting so worked up over this?"
"Wait, wait—are you saying Austin and Rosemary aren't siblings? But you said that Rosemary is Kayden's illegitimate daughter. So that means..."
Marvin stopped mid-sentence and stared at me blankly.
I nodded calmly.
The last time I returned from the Herrera Manor, I could not shake the thought of how much Wanda, especially the upper half of her face, resembled Rosemary when she was a child.
The Herrera family did not have any childhood photos of Rosemary, but I had stumbled upon one in a book.
Hence, I secretly took forks used by Austin, Rosemary, and Kayden and sent them for testing.
The results were an unexpected surprise.
After thinking it over, it made sense. With Amanda's character, when she brought Rosemary back to the Herrera family, she would have definitely done a check on Rosemary.
At the same time, I finally understood the true meaning of something Alex had once told me: that if there was ever any relationship between Rosemary and Austin, it would destroy him.
Unfortunately, Alex only did a check on Kayden and Rosemary and never thought to check Austin.
From the perspective of the Herrera family, Amanda, usually so headstrong and domineering, was utterly obedient to Kayden. The idea of her betraying him seemed impossible.
Perhaps even Kayden himself had trouble believing that the son he had carefully nurtured was actually an illegitimate child.
All the effort he put into trying to take control of the Herrera Group from Alex had turned out to be for nothing. It was all just a dream.
In the Herrera family, only sons could inherit the family's empire, while daughters were expected to marry into well-off families and use those connections to provide the Herrera family with necessary resources.
Marvin immediately straightened up, staring at me intensely. "Are you absolutely sure that Austin isn't Kayden's son?"
I nodded firmly.
"Does Rosemary know her true identity?" Marvin asked.
"Nope. If she did, she wouldn't have maintained such a close relationship with Amanda," I said.
Marvin furrowed his brows. "Why not? Even if Rosemary isn't Amanda's biological daughter, Amanda still raised her for so many years."
I let out a soft sigh. "Do you really think what happened to the Read family was just an accident? Back then, Mrs. Read was pregnant. When she was three months along, she traveled to Hestrya for a check-up and found out she was carrying a son."
Marvis asked, "Amanda was already aware that Kayden was cheating with his close friend's wife—so she went ahead and made her move?"
I said, "Amanda has always been suspicious by nature. If Kayden was unfaithful, she probably knew long before anyone else."
Marvin widened his eyes in disbelief. "With Amanda's personality, how could she possibly tolerate raising her husband's illegitimate daughter right by her side? And even treat her so well?"
I curled my lips into a mocking smile. "Do you think Amanda really treats Rosemary well? If she did, then Rosemary wouldn't have encountered danger again and again as a child."
"The Herrera family is full of complicated and ruthless people. Laurel, you'd be better off keeping your distance from them," Marvin said with a shiver.
I let out a long sigh before continuing, "The real reason Amanda was so eager to send Rosemary abroad was to protect herself—and to protect her son. Now it looks like Rosemary is the most pitiful out of everyone."
I shot Marvin a cold glance, my tone devoid of sympathy. "People who are pitiful often have themselves to blame. If she had spent even a fraction of her energy on herself instead of others, she wouldn't have ended up like this."
Marvin pushed further. "So it was her who attempted to lock you in the storage room last night, right?"
I gave him a brief, indifferent glance. Seems like I've fallen for his little trick.
Marvin always knew I was soft-hearted, and even in situations like this, where I felt no sympathy at all, I would never utter cruel words.
Clenching my fists tightly, I forced a smile. "Yes. But I'm fine."
Marvin's face showed a hint of discomfort, and just as he was about to say something, I interrupted, "Let's go. We still have a pile of things to deal with."
Seeing Marvis start the car again, I secretly heaved a sigh of relief.