John fell silent and was caught in thoughts.He knew about the article that is maliciously created but as to the reason why, he has no idea. He could no longer risk his relationship with his precious daughter. He could not attain it if it will be broke again with the same agreement like this again. He was even suspecting Clint Briggs have done it.
John wanted his daughter to be married with the man of her choice, it should be her own decision, as she said in her letter she left when she run away from home. He is still currently asking the McNaught"s to dissolve the agreement he and Lance"s father had before. Although, Lance will only accept the dissolution of the agreement if he is granted with one simple request.
"What is your request, Lance?" he asked in the day that they should dissolved the agreement.
"Uncle John, please allow me to court Ingrid freely." John was stunned.
"But are you sure? Despite what happened you still want to marry my daughter? Even if she already has a child?"
"Yes, despite these, I will still marry her,"
"But what if she rejects you?"
"She already did, but I said to her that I will not rest courting her…"
"If that is what you want, however, I could no longer help you, Lance. You do understand it, right?"
"I perfectly understand, sir…"
"John? Are you with me in this?" Clint asked him again to call his attention which makes John came back to his senses.
"Sorry, I was just thinking. But, before I answer that, may I ask you some questions that have been bugging me lately? Why are you so eager to take my daughter to be your son"s wife? Why her? I mean, you know her situation right? That she is already has a child and not in a natural way, it will be a great talk. One more thing, will Clifford agree to this?"
It took also several moments for Clint before he answered John.
"Hmm, to begin with, I wanted her to be my heiress because I had no idea that I have a son back then. But when Clifford arrived, I was–I feel guilty and I could not allow it that she will leave the company in the future. Forgive me, but I lied to you that I was willing to release her to you when the time comes. I became greedy not to let her go. Forgive me of my greediness. But my desire to take her as my daughter-in-law grew when I notice something…"
John leaned on his chair out of exasperation, and then he sipped his wine before he spoke
"I understand where you are coming from but it is never our decision to do that, believe me, don"t manipulate Ingrid"s life. I know my daughter; she doesn"t want to be controlled. But, what do you mean that you noticed something? What is it?"
"I was still in the process of gathering information about it. I did an investigation regarding Clark"s father, I really have this hunch that he is, I mean, I have an idea who the child"s father is, but I need to do two things: the investigation I am currently doing and then the DNA Test after."
"I am sorry, but what did you say? A DNA test? With whom?" John"s shock could no longer be hidden.
"With Clark and Clifford." Clint straightforwardly answered.
"Clifford? Your son?!" John"s voice increased.
"Yes, my one and only son." Clint Briggs remained calm.
John rose up from his seat upon hearing Clint. "Just what do you mean by that? I mean, what? Why?" he could no longer contain the information he is hearing right now, his mind is blown away.
"I could not explain anything to you for now as I was still in the middle of investigating it. I know Clifford will be enraged by this step but I have to do this for my grandson. I want to protect him especially now that Clark seems to be included in the gossip. I don"t want him to be bullied."