Chapter 267: DNA Test

Avery feels like she has ice water in her veins. Did I hear him right? She thinks. Is he so upset he wants to humiliate me? He's been angry and hurt before, but he's never threatened me with something so degrading. She stares up at him and shivers. His face has gone deathly pale, but his eyes are filled with hurt and betrayal.

"For the sake of our previous relationship, why don't you just let me go?" she asks.

Evan laughs and says, "You think I'd keep you around if you didn't have that baby in your belly? No, Avery, I'm keeping you here for the child, but you're replaceable. Anyone can be Mrs. Howel."

Avery raises her hand to touch his arm, but he flinches away as if he's disgusted by her touch. He takes his hands off her neck and turns his back to her. She watches him cross the room and pour himself a glass of whiskey. His shoulders are tense as if he's ready for a fight.

"Arrange for a DNA test, Robert," Evan says. "If the child in her belly isn't mine, she doesn't even deserve to be my mistress. She refused me in marriage, but I'll abandon her." 

Avery bites her lip and tries to slow her breathing. She can't believe that Evan still has suspicions about the baby. The sperm antigen test already proved it was his, but now he's asking for a DNA test. Of course, the DNA test will show that the baby is Evan's, she thinks. But I'm sure someone will tamper with it. All I have to do is make sure that Leonie and Florence know about the test, and they'll find a way to change the results. If Evan thinks the baby isn't his, I'll be free to leave and meet Andrew.

Evan swallows the whiskey in a single gulp and pours himself another glass. She watches him drink it with an ache in her heart—it's not the first time he's turned to alcohol to deal with his broken heart. She hopes it won't become a habit for him.

"Put her in the mistress room in the servant's quarters," Evan says cooly. "And make it clear that she's not Mrs. Howel—call her by her first name, like you would any mistress or equal."

Robert looks between Evan and Avery, and he raises his eyebrows at Avery. Avery shakes her head, and Robert sighs and leaves the room without a word. Soon a servant knocks at the door.

"Mr. Howel, we've prepared the room," the servant says. "Will Avery move there now?"

Avery looks at the servant, and the young man stares boldly back at her. Before, most of the servants were afraid to even look at her—especially in front of Evan. But now this man stares at her like she's lower than he is. She stares back at him, and he slowly looks away in shame.

"Of course she will," Evan says. "Do you think she deserves to be here? Every breath she takes only contaminates the air."

Evan's words cut deep, and she can feel her eyes fill with tears. She follows the servant out of the room, trying to keep the tears from falling onto her cheeks. As she crosses the threshold, she glances over her shoulder to look at Evan, but his back is still turned to her.

"Wait," Evan shouts.

Avery's heart hammers hopefully in her chest, and she turns around, ready to walk back into the room. Evan pours himself another glass of whiskey and takes a long sip.

"Burn her clothes and give her a new wardrobe—something appropriate for a mistress," he says. 

Avery stiffens and turns away. She crosses her arms over her stomach and slowly follows the servant out of the mansion. The man leads her on a long, cobblestone path toward the woods. She's never been to the servants' quarters before, but she knows the building is near the hut where Florence used to lock her up.

As they walk, tired servants join them, heading home to sleep after a long day of work in the mansion. Avery feels a sharp shove, and she turns around. An old servant woman Avery recognizes from Florence's wing has shoved her in the back. It seems all of the servants know that she's fallen out of favor with Evan, and now they're eager to take their revenge.

Leonie is watching TV with Florence and peeling grapes. She slides her long fingernail under the purple skin and pulls it away from the juicy grape before passing the fruit to Florence. Suddenly, the door flies open, and Maureen runs into the room. Her ankle-length skirt is bunched up around her knees, and her thick, stocking covered legs look ridiculous. Maureen leans against the wall, panting for breath.

"What's going on, Maureen?" Florence asks the servant.

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"It's a big deal," Maureen says, shaking her head, so her jowls wobble.

"What's the matter?" Florence asks. "What happened? You're scaring me."

"Avery has been put in the mistress room," Maureen says with a huge smile. "And Mr. Howel said that we're not allowed to call her Mrs. Howel anymore."

Leonie jumps to her feet and runs across the room to Maureen. She grabs the rough wool of the woman's dress and looks up at her. Maureen's hot, sour breath blows across Leonie's face, and Leonie jumps away in disgust.

"Are you telling the truth?" Leonie asks.

"Yes, it's true!" Maureen says. "All the servants are talking about it. Besides, I saw Avery walking out to the servants' quarters just now."

"So she's no longer his wife, but his mistress?" Leonie asks.

"Yes, those were Mr. Howel's orders," Maureen says, smiling sourly. "It seems Mr. Howel has finally recognized Avery for what she really is. He also ordered the servants to burn her clothes and give her a new wardrobe suitable for a mistress."

As Maureen speaks, her face lights up with joy. Leonie turns to Florence and sees that the old woman is wearing a similar expression. I can't believe the video trick worked so well, Leonie thinks. If only I'd known how angry Evan would get—I would have told Florence about it earlier. Oh well, what's done is done, and Evan will soon be mine.

"I want to see this for myself," Leonie says, walking toward the door.

"You can't go now," Maureen says quickly. "Mr. Howel has forbidden everyone from talking to her or even going near her room. If he finds out you were there, he'd be furious."

Leonie looks at Florence, hoping the old woman will support her, but Florence slowly shakes her head. Leonie rushes to Florence's side and takes her wrinkled hand, but Florence pulls her arm away. Slowly, she pats Leonie on the head.

"I know you're eager, dear, but listen to Maureen," Florence says. "Evan is already very upset. You don't want to make it worse, do you? Be a good girl and wait until Evan has calmed down a little."

Leonie sighs and pouts her lips, but she sits down on the sofa next to Florence. I've waited long enough, Leonie thinks. I guess I can wait a little longer. But I'm so sick of dealing with this old woman. I can't wait to be Evan's wife, so I can finally do whatever I want.

Florence taps her knobby fingers on her knee and says, "Maureen, I want you to make sure that Avery receives the very best care."

"The best care?" Maureen asks, confused. "She's never respected you, and she never deserved to be a part of this family."

"That's exactly why I want her taken care of," Florence says with a sly and sinister smile.

Maureen smiles a huge mean smile, understanding Florence's orders. She leaves the room, humming to herself. Leonie strokes her stomach, wondering how soon Evan will ask her to marry him.

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