Suzy lied without a hint of embarrassment, "The doctor said the other child was too small, completely blocked by the larger one, so it wasn't detected."
This explanation was entirely plausible.
In medical terms, such cases have been documented.
So, Samantha couldn't refute it.
Seeing that her explanation had convinced them, Suzy felt triumphant, though her cries grew even more pitiful.
"Uncle and Aunt, it's because I love Ethan too much and feared that Samantha would snatch him away. That's why I impulsively did such a thing. I beg for your forgiveness. Please don't tell Alexander about this; otherwise, he'll only dislike me more as his mother."
Seeing her crying so miserably, Anna's heart softened.
She bent down to help her up, patting the spot she had kicked earlier, expressing apologies, "Did I hurt you with that kick just now? I'm sorry; I didn't understand the situation."
Suzy vigorously shook her head, tears flying everywhere.
"It's deserved for you to kick me. I almost killed my own son and your grandson."
Her maturity and generosity touched Anna's heart. She understood that sense of anxiety and fear very well. Because that feeling had accompanied her for nearly ten years.
If it weren't for Suzy's timely intervention, her position might have been taken by the woman outside, whom Liam would have run away with.
Suddenly, she felt a sense of sympathy towards Suzy.
Looking at her son, she said in a deep voice, "Since it's a misunderstanding, let's just forget about it."
Samantha sneered. "Mrs. Steele, what a double standard. When you thought I kidnapped Alexander, you were all for punishing me. Now that the truth is revealed, you call it a misunderstanding and forgive the real culprit..."
Anna was berated, her face turning from red to pale. Her dislike for Samantha deepened.
"This is ultimately your fault. If you had maintained a safe distance from my son, Suzy wouldn't have gone to such extremes. You should reflect on yourself rather than acting self-righteous."
Samantha chuckled in exasperation, "So, tell me, if Alexander didn't die, why would the doctors deceive you? What was their motive? Bringing in a dead baby to deceive everyone? Also, why did they throw Alexander into an orphanage? The doctors and nurses who helped you give birth encountered accidents one after another; there's clearly a conspiracy."
She finally understood what felt odd about Suzy's version of the truth.
The most crucial point was missing from Suzy's narrative.
If what she said were true, who were the people behind this sequence of events?
What was their motive?
Suzy shook her head, feigning confusion, "I don't know, really! So many years have passed, and Alexander has been found. I don't want to delve into it anymore. I just want both my sons to be with me."
Hearing her words, Anna furrowed her brows deeply.
She looked at her husband, Liam, who had been silent until now.
Liam spoke slowly, "The Steele family has reached the current stature, facing numerous enemies. From the time Ethan was drugged to the birth of the child, there must have been a hidden hand behind it. Rest assured, we will get to the bottom of this, and justice will be served for you."
Suzy obediently nodded.
With the conversation reaching this point, Samantha had no strength to pursue it further.
Ethan didn't press on either. He leisurely stood up, approached Suzy, and looked down at her tear-stained face with a cold and majestic aura spreading around him.
"I won't pursue this further because you're the biological mother of Noah and Alexander. I can't let them know their mother is so malicious. However, this won't set a precedent. Otherwise, I won't be lenient."
After saying this, he didn't spare her another glance, grabbed Samantha's wrist, and headed upstairs without looking back.
Jade quickly followed.
Watching them leave, Anna handed a tissue to Suzy, consoling, "Ethan won't hold you responsible for this anymore. Rest assured, no matter what, you've given birth to two grandsons for the Steele family; you're a contributor to our family. Regardless of the circumstances, I will protect you and stand by your side."
Suzy was moved, tears welling up in her eyes. She lowered her head and quietly wiped away her tears. In a place hidden from Anna's view, a cold gleam flashed in her eyes.
Fortunately, she had heeded her mother's advice years ago, eliminating the doctors and nurses involved in her childbirth.
Otherwise, today, she would have no defense. The wealth and glory she had acquired would have turned into bubbles.
Now, she not only had two more sons, but also contributed to the Steele family. When she smoothly married into the Steele family, she would have ways to deal with the two illegitimate children.
Closing the study door, Samantha couldn't wait to ask, "You don't really believe Suzy's explanation, do you?"
Ethan sat behind the desk, raised an eyebrow, and counter-questioned, "Otherwise? Give me a reason not to believe?"
Samantha was speechless.
Yes!
Suzy was Alexander's biological mother.
She couldn't possibly harm Alexander.
The explanation just now seemed the most reasonable and logical.
But for some reason, she always felt uneasy and couldn't pinpoint why.
Ethan instructed Jade, who was respectfully standing on the side, "Continue the investigation. I want to know all the details."
Jade acknowledged and left.
Just as he was about to open the study door, Ethan softly spoke again, "Send the three downstairs away, and go to the old mansion to bring Alexander and Noah back."
Noah had been taken back to the old house by the old master yesterday. He wasn't at home right now.
Jade acknowledged again, closing the door thoughtfully behind him.
In the study, only Ethan and Samantha remained.
The atmosphere suddenly became awkward.
Samantha lowered her head, nervously twisting the hem of her clothes. Although it was hard to bring it up, she gathered the courage to speak, "Thank you for what you did just now!"
If it weren't for Ethan, she would certainly be unable to defend herself against Suzy's series of conspiracies.
Ethan's eyes showed a hint of mockery. He sneered, "Don't be presumptuous. I did it for Alexander, not for you."
Of course, Samantha didn't presume that Ethan went through all the trouble to uncover the truth for her. Nevertheless, she sincerely thanked Ethan.
"I know, but anyway, thank you very much!"
After saying this, hesitating for a moment, she sheepishly added, "Could I wait for Alexander to come back and see him before leaving? He'll worry if he doesn't see me."
Ethan didn't respond.
Samantha assumed his silence meant approval.
After a moment, she continued, "Could you show me Suzy's whereabouts for the past week?"
Ethan tossed the documents onto the desk.
Samantha eagerly opened the folder, anticipating seeing what she hoped for. However, to her surprise, the folder was empty, containing only a few blank sheets of paper.
She stared in confusion at Ethan.
Ethan, with a smirk, said, "Did you really think that I could find out her whereabouts for the past week in just a few hours?"
Time is limited.
Even with his exceptional abilities, he could only track her movements for today. To trace her activities over a week, it would take at least a day!
Samantha instantly understood.
So, Ethan had deliberately deceived Suzy into revealing the truth. In reality, Jade hadn't checked Suzy's activities for the past week at all.
***