Novel Palace
Chapter 262
Chapter 262
Chapter 262 You Are Lying
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Fifty years ago, Bruce, brimming with dreams, arrived in the undeveloped Jadeborough, hoping to
carve out a successful career for himself.
Despite his wishes, he faced obstacles everywhere he turned, and to make matters worse, he
contracted at serious illness that he couldn’t afford to treat.
Fortunately, he was not destined to die.
Just when he was on the brink of death, a woman appeared. Not only did she pay for his medical
treatment, but she also took care of him with all her heart and soul.
During this time, sparks flew between the two, and they had a love child.
And so, Bruce secretly vowed at that moment, that once he recovered from his illness, he would work Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.
even harder to ensure a good life for that woman and their unborn child.
By the time he recovered from his illness and Patrick was born and when he was already envisioning a
blissful family life, the woman suddenly disappeared.
Aside from leaving twenty thousand, she did not leave a single word.
At this point, Bruce’s eyes welled up with tears. “I reported her disappearance to the police, but at that
time, there was no internet across the country. The social environment was harsh and underdeveloped.
Looking for a person was as difficult as finding a needle in a haystack.”
So after searching for a while, Bruce gave up.
With that twenty thousand, he started a business in Jadeborough, opening a brewery, with baby
Patrick.
Gradually, Firebird Group of today was established.
Finnegan appeared thoughtful. “She left you twenty thousand before disappearing?”
Twenty thousand holds considerable purchasing power today, and fifty years ago, it was an
astronomical figure!
The simplest comparison would be that the land in Jadeborough, which was worth tens of millions
today, could perhaps have been purchased for less than twenty thousand back in the day.
Bruce understood Finnegan’s meaning and said, “She must be a rich young lady with a very good
temperament. She looks exactly like Bernie now.”
He paused before adding, “But as for why she was nice to me, I didn’t ask since she didn’t mention it!”
Finnegan said, “Perhaps Bernie’s grandmother took pity on you at the time, and you guys having Mr.
Patrick was an accident. Later, under family pressure, she left you some money and disappeared
without a word!”
Bruce’s lips twitched.
Don’t you know how to speak, young man?
Chapter 262 You Are Lying
Couldn’t it have been my charm that initially won over Bernie’s grandmother?
Well, but thinking back to the time when I was down and out. I was utterly charmless.
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Bruce couldn’t help but feel a bit awkward. “Perhaps that’s the case. So, after starting my business, I
didn’t have time to take care of Patrick, and through introductions, I got to know a local woman,
Millicent. She promised to treat Patrick as her own, and without any further thought, I married her. I
didn’t want to burden Patrick emotionally, and she didn’t want to be labeled as a stepmother, so we
agreed to keep all of this a secret until today!”
Finnegan couldn’t help but sneer, “Who knows she forgot her promise to you later and favored her own
son wholeheartedly.”
Bruce gave a bitter smile. “It’s true now, but before Bishop came along, she was actually quite good to
Patrick.”
Seemingly not wanting to continue this discussion, Bruce asked, “But how did you find out? Everyone
who knew about the fact that Patrick and Bishop are half-siblings has already passed away.”
“I have my own ways, which can’t be explained in just a few words.”
Finnegan couldn’t be bothered to explain that he was also an expert in physiognomy.
Knowing that Finnegan was unwilling to explain, Bruce didn’t press further. “Could I trouble you to keep
this a secret? Patrick and Bernie have been quite resentful of Millicent’s favoritism over the past few
years. If they found out that she isn’t their real mother and grandmother, I’m afraid…”
As the conversation went on, Bruce eventually fell silent.
But Finnegan knew what he was thinking. “It all depends on what you decide to do, Old Mr.
Zimmerman. Otherwise, even if it ruins the family harmony you long for, I’ll tell Bernie and Mr. Patrick
the truth and let them fight back!”
Bruce’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”
At this point, Finnegan couldn’t be bothered to waste more words with him. “Bernie is powerful. You
could say she’s ten times stronger than your grandson Timothy. I hope Bernie can be free to do
whatever she wants in Firebird Group and Mr. Patrick becomes the successor of the Zimmerman
family!”
Bruce’s expression turned gloomy.
If it weren’t for his apprehension about Finnegan’s background, he would have slammed the table at
this moment and risen to his feet.
Even so, his anger was still evident in his tone. “Finnegan, I hold you in high regard and I’m fully
supportive of you being with Bernie. But the Zimmerman family-”
Before Bruce could finish his words, Finnegan raised his hand to interrupt him. “I know you have a bit
of a traditional mindset, favoring boys over girls, believing that only a male can be the successor of a
family and that girls are more suited to marry into other families to contribute to their own. Otherwise,
you wouldn’t have turned a blind eye knowing that Old Mrs. Zimmerman favors Bishop’s family! But
what if Timothy isn’t your biological grandson?”
Bruce’s face suddenly changed. “You’re lying!”
Chapter 262 You Are Lying
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Having decided to clear the obstacles for Bernice, Finnegan sneered, “Paternity tests are still quite
advanced in this day and age. If you think I’m lying, why don’t you find a way to prove it yourself?”
Pausing for a moment, he added meaningfully, “Moreover, your second daughter-in-law, Sapphire, has
a certain allure in her eyes, a worldly charm about her. You should know some things better than I do,
shouldn’t you?”
Suddenly, Bruce’s face darkened even more. Of course, he was well aware of Sapphire’s past.
His heart began to pound.
He stood up abruptly and said, “Finnegan, I hope you can watch your mouth. I’m leaving.”
Realizing that his words had already influenced Bruce, Finnegan said indifferently, “Take care, Old Mr.
Zimmerman. I’ll definitely keep my mouth shut. After all, if the Zimmerman family is involved in a
scandal, it will also affect Bernie.”
Bruce no longer responded. He opened the door and walked out.
He didn’t even hear Bernice calling out to him and left directly with the butler.
Bernice noticed his grim expression as he left and quickly went inside. “Finnegan, what did you say to
my grandfather? Why did he look so upset when he left?”
Finnegan revealed a gentle smile, pulling Bernice to sit next to him. “I didn’t say much. I merely offered
him some suggestions, such as proposing your father as the successor to the Zimmerman family and
bestowing upon you the supreme authority in Firebird Group. That’s all. It’s clear to anyone that
Firebird Group is primarily being supported by you and your father these days.”
Bernice opened her mouth wide. “How dare you say that? What if my grandfather gets angry and
opposes our relationship again?”
“Don’t worry,” Finnegan said, gripping Bernice’s delicate, fair hand. “While your grandfather may lean
toward traditional values and show a preference for boys over girls, he must possess some degree of
open- mindedness. After all, he built his own business from the ground up. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have
set off on his own; he would have taken you along with him.”
Bernice thought carefully and felt that there was some truth in what Finnegan had said.
With some concerns alleviated, she fixed her beautiful eyes on Finnegan.
She did not say a word but her intention was clear.
Finnegan couldn’t help but laugh, pinching her cheek gently.
Seeing Bernice blush, he asked, “Are you wondering why Old Mr. Wahlstrom and Old Mr. Langdon are
so firmly supportive of me? Where did I get the South-North Badge of the Martial Arts Alliance? What
else am I hiding from you?”
Bernice nodded. “Yes, so are you going to explain? Because… I suddenly feel like I’m not good enough
for you!”