Chapter 188

Hilda slid the envelope open before fishing out the crisp sheet of paper tucked inside.

The moment her fingertips brushed the page, she jerked her hand back, as if the truth hidden there might scorch her.

Her heartbeat thundered in her ears, threatening to drown out every rational thought.

Gathering what courage she had left, Hilda forced herself to scan the section with the test results.

She froze. "Jeff Benton and Eleanor Warren, parent-child relationship-excluded?"

The words didn't make sense. How could Eleanor not be their daughter?

Her knees buckled. Hilda nearly collapsed on the No.

This couldn't be real.

Eleanor had always looked just like her at that age.

The connection she felt with that girl couldn't possibly be a lie.

Jeff's expression clouded with disappointment as he caught her, steadying Hilda's trembling frame. He reached into the envelope and pulled out another sheet. "Don't panic yet, sweetheart. To be sure, I had them run a test with Lainey and me as well."

Hilda barely processed his words, Hilda's eyes glazing over as she stared at the second report.

The phrase "99.99% probability of parent-child relationship" jumped out at her, sharp as a slap.

Her world spun out of control. Every ounce of strength seemed to drain from her.

This second piece of paper shattered her, leaving her grasping for anything to hold on to.

Clutching Jeff's hand in a desperate, unyielding grip,she begged, "There has to be some kind of mistake,right? Please tell me that's all it is."

Jeff wrapped his arms around her, rubbing her back as he tried to soothe her panic.

His voice broke as he answered, "No mistake,Hilda.I made sure everything was supervised from start to finish. Nobody could have meddled with it."

He hesitated for a moment, then tried to offer some small comfort, as much for himself as for her. "Lainey really is ours. And about Eleanor-remember,your brother lost a daughter years ago. Maybe there's a connection we-"

His words trailed off, never making it to the end.

Hilda let herself drop onto the sofa, her gaze dull and unfocused.

She couldn't bring herself to accept what she had just learned. Eleanor's calm eyes, that familiar expression, so much like her own, kept flickering through her mind.

How could she not be her daughter?

Out in the corridor, Lainey had caught every word.

Honestly, those two were hopelessly trusting.

They thought having a guard oversee the tests would guarantee everything was real.

If only they realized the swap had happened before the samples ever left their sight.

Horace had pulled off the switch from the very beginning.

Only these two would put that much faith in their own bodyguard.

Still, their cluelessness worked in her favor.

Her place as a Benton was finally secure.

Next up was a divorce, a fat stack of shares, and marrying Nolan. From that moment forward, her world would be wrapped in riches and comfort.

And Eleanor, what good was luck if she would never come out on top?

Lainey barely had time to bask in her victory when Jonny's furious shout echoed up the stairs. "Lainey!Get down here, now! What did you do with my sister?!"

A jolt of worry shot through her. Had Jonny uncovered something?

Why was he after her over Emma's disappearance?

She rushed to the door, anxious to head downstairs before he could cause more of a scene.

But Jeff was quicker. He stepped into her path,offering a reassuring look. "Don't worry, sweetheart.I'll take care of this."

With a determined glare, he stormed down the stairs.

Left with no choice, Lainey followed, her heart pounding as she braced herself for what was to come.