Daddy’s billionaire step-brother
Chapter 54: Web of lies

Adrian's mind went blank for a second, like his thoughts froze in place. An obstetrician? The word echoed in his head, and suddenly everything started to click into place the way Richard had acted, the strange urgency around Clara's engagement to Henry, the rushed timeline for the wedding. "Are you saying Clara's pregnant?" Adrian asked, his voice barely above a whisper, though inside, a storm of emotions was swirling. Disbelief, confusion, anger.

"I can't confirm it," the investigator replied carefully. "But it would explain why Richard brought in Panvel. It's the only lead I've got for now."

Adrian stormed through the hotel, his heart pounding in his chest. He spotted Richard standing with a group of men, laughing and chatting as if nothing was wrong. The sight made Adrian's blood boil. How could Richard carry on so easily, knowing what he was hiding?

Adrian pushed past the crowd, grabbing Richard's arm. "We need to talk. Now."

Richard frowned, his smile fading as he excused himself from the group. "What the hell are you doing?" he hissed, once they were out of earshot. "This isn't the time or place."

Adrian glared at him, his voice low but furious. "How long were you planning on hiding from me that Clara's pregnant?"

Richard's face tightened, his eyes flashing with anger. "That's none of your business."

Adrian's fist clenched at his side, his knuckles white. "Of course, it's my fucking business! The child is mine!"

Richard's mouth twisted into a bitter smirk. "How do you know that? If Clara was sneaking around with you, how do you know she wasn't doing the same with others?"

Adrian felt a sharp stab of rage at the insinuation. "Clara isn't like that, and you know it," he growled. "You're trying to twist this to suit your narrative, but you can't do this."

"Get out of here," Richard said, his voice hard. "Go back to your mansion, or wherever the hell you came from. You've done enough damage."

Adrian stepped closer, his voice shaking with barely contained fury. "I'm not leaving until I know the truth. Until you prove that Clara's child isn't actually mine."

Richard's face flushed with anger, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "And what if it is? So what? What are you going to do, Adrian? Ruin her again? Expose her as the girl who lost her virginity to her uncle and got pregnant? You think you're helping her by being here? You're only making things worse."

Adrian's heart raced, his fists clenched at his sides. "Ruin her?" he spat, his voice low and furious. "You act like she's nothing more than some asset to be bartered. Clara is a person, not just your pawn. If she's pregnant with my child, I deserve to know."

Richard's eyes narrowed. "And what would you do with that information, Adrian? Announce it to the world? Drag her down with you into another scandal? She's better off without you."

"I'd take responsibility!" Adrian shot back. "You think I'm just going to walk away and let her live this lie? If the baby is mine, I won't let any other motherfucker name and raise my child."

Richard shook his head, his lips curling into a sneer. "You don't get it, do you? This isn't about your feelings, or even Clara's. This is about her future, her reputation. If anyone finds out the truth-if the Caldwells even suspect-this engagement is over. And then what? What will she have left?"

Adrian stepped closer, his eyes blazing with anger. "At least she'd have the truth. At least she wouldn't be trapped in some fake marriage, pretending to be happy with Henry Caldwell while he sneaks around to fuck his sister!" Richard seemed to sense the unspoken accusation in Adrian's silence, his expression hardening. "You're not going to get in the way of this, Adrian. You've already done enough. Clara knows what's at stake. She made her choice." Adrian shook his head, disbelief washing over him. "You can't be serious. She has no idea what you've done, how you've manipulated her. I know it!"

"And you think you're any better?" Richard's voice was sharp now, filled with venom. "You think you didn't manipulate her, too? You took advantage of a young girl, your own niece, who was infatuated with you, who didn't know any better. And now you're going to pretend like you care?"

"I do care!" Adrian's voice was raw, his emotions boiling over. "More than you ever have. I left because I thought it was the right thing to do, for her. But I'm not going to sit back and watch while you ruin her life." Richard's eyes darkened, his voice dropping to a near growl. "If you care about Clara at all, you'll stay away. You'll let her have the life she's supposed to have, with the Caldwells. You'll disappear just like you promised."

Adrian's chest heaved with frustration, his mind racing. He knew Richard was manipulating him, trying to push him away from Clara, from the truth. But there was something else—something Richard wasn't telling him. Adrian could feel it. "I'm not going anywhere until I talk to her," Adrian said through gritted teeth. "She deserves to hear this from me."

Richard's face twisted into a grim smile. "You really think she's going to listen to you? She knows what's best for her now. She's made her peace with it. What are you trying to do? It'll only make things worse for her." Adrian's breath caught in his throat. "I have a right-"

"You have no rights!" Richard snapped, his voice rising. "Not after what you did to her, to me!"

Adrian's mind raced, his frustration building as he realized the depth of Richard's manipulation. "Does Clara even know I didn't know about the pregnancy? Does she know you've kept this from me the whole time?" Richard's eyes flashed with something dark and dangerous. "Yes, she knows. And, like I said, she wants you out of her life. Just like before."

Suddenly, both men froze. Standing a few feet away was Clara, her eyes wide with confusion and fear. She had clearly overheard their argument.

"What's going on?" Clara asked, her voice trembling. "Why are you two arguing?"