Charles chuckled and that surprised his mother. "Is that what you came all this way to say?" he asked, grabbing Isabella's hand after as though he intended to ignite his mother's rage.

"Did you hear what I said Charles? Your wife is incapable of giving birth!"


"So?" He laughed again and faced the woman beside him who was trying to keep a blank face. Claire wondered why Charles was acting like it was no big deal. She knew how particular he was about having a child or two when finally married.

"How is this funny Charles? I am trying to tell you that-"

"I already knew Mother. And it is not her fault. So, I don't really see the point you are trying to make here."


Claire Oxford scoffed and decided to take a different route. "I heard Ordinaz wants a grandchild from you."

He instantly frowned and asked cautiously, " How do you know about that?"


Shrugging, the woman who was now wearing a sly smile adjusted the jacket sprawled over her shoulder. "I have my ways Charles. You should know that."

" True." Charles nodded. " But what is your point?" he asked again.

A snicker fell from her lips. " How do you intend to meet your real father if your wife is unable to bear a child?"

"What nonsense are you spewing mother? What if she is unable to bear a child? Aren't there other methods to try out? Please..." He scoffed. " Don't disturb me with stupid things like that. I don't know why you are still stuck on trying to get rid of Isabella. I told you already, she is the one my heart has chosen. If you have a problem with that..."

He gave her a small smile before ending his statement. "...well, that's not my problem. So, is there anything else you'll like to say?"

Undoubtedly dumbfounded, Mrs. Oxford looked to the side, her eyes battering furiously. She had been confident that she would be able to sway her son. But she had thought wrong and she had thought insufficiently. Her mind didn't consider the fact that they could employ another method to bear a child.

She knew it was time to back out. She had been beaten.

And backing out meant she had to come clean about a thing or two and that made her furious. She was basically going to humiliate herself.

"Are you there Mother?" Her son's voice questioned.

She chuckled. " Who knew it would ever come to this stage? I have tried hard Charles." Her eyes met his. " I tried to make you see things my way."

"Your way was deadly. For God's sake you hired Manifold to kill my real father. Why... How does that even make sense?" The man asked with a degree of confusion on his face. "I might try to understand you trying to make sure I don't end up with Isabella, but killing my real father?" He scoffed and sat back. " That is just crazy."

"You don't know Ordinaz, Charles. He may be your father but he is not a man that deserves a son."

" Let me decide if he deserves it or not!" Mrs. Oxford eyes shut for a second to keep her system from racing in reaction to the raise in Charles's voice. "Don't you even have any human sense at all? Why would you just decide to kill someone? Are you some kind of monster?"

" Charles." The woman beside him softly called and ran her hand through his back.

"You should save your anger son, there is something more I need to tell you."

"What?" Charles threw a glare towards his mother and she almost swallowed hard. It was the very glare that made his employees respect him without his position asking for it. " That I have another brother out there?" he questioned sarcastically.

"I-" She was cut short by the doorbell ring.

Heaving a huge sigh, Charles threw Mrs. Oxford another glare before getting up and walking towards the door. Looking in Isabella's direction suddenly, Claire found herself lost for words. And as she recalled the craziness Gabriel exhibited in her abode, she realized she was just like the sick man, just not as crazy.

She had been so obsessed with ensuring the image she had was not ruined, she hated Rodrigo Ordinaz's return and she hated the idea of a divorcee being with her son. She made herself into some kind of maniac.

What was she thinking? She wondered. Was she that blinded by the hatred she has for the man she was once married to? The man who treated her like shit?

Inwardly scoffing, she realized her husband was right. Her and Isabella were alike. She had suffered a great deal like the woman in front of her who was trying hard to avoid eye contact. And Claire knew that suffering had forever etched a pain in her.

Mrs. Oxford definitely had other reasons for not wanting Charles to be with Isabella, those reasons also made her see nothing. It made her miss the fact that her son was happy. And frankly, it was really all that mattered.

Fully realizing it was all over, the middle aged woman began to brace herself for the last confession she was to make. She wouldn't be surprised if Charles decides to never forgive her.

"What are you looking for exactly?" Charles's voice re-entered the room and the two women looked his way. Claire noticed a tall, dark suspicious man was walking ahead of her son and she became instantly curious. The man looked like he worked for a very dangerous mafia don and she hoped her son had not gone as far as teaming with such people to help his business.

"I have a message from your father," the man said, his eyes scanning the room with a sly smile beneath them.

"Charles? Which father?" Mrs. Oxford wasted no time in asking.

"Who do you think?" He faced the man. "What message?"

"Your father wishes to meet you." Charles scoffed so hard, it was impossible to ignore. "He respects your choice and wants to meet you regardless."

"Why didn't he say that earlier?"

"Do you intend to meet him?" Claire asked and her son raised a brow at her.

"That has been part of my intent all along. I just grew tired of his conditions. Mother..." He adjusted in his stance and she could see her son wearing a kind of aura she didn't recognize around him. "I don't want you to stop me."

"I didn't want to."

" What?"

" I am not going to stop you from seeing your father." Charles arched another brow, suspicion written all over his face. After giving Charles a small smile, she faced the questionable man. "When does Ordinaz want to see him?"

"Whenever Charles is ready?" The man answered with a question, with a look that was trying to figure out who she was boldly written on his face.

"Charles, go and meet your father." Claire sighed peacefully after. With Charles visiting his father, he will be safe from Gabriel's crazy plan.

Still wearing a look of doubt, Charles faced the man. "Can I have the address?" A quick nod from the tall man and soon, a piece of paper with some writing was in Charles's hand and just seconds later, the visitor was gone.

"Mother, you were about to say something earlier," Charles reminded her and she could not help but shiver a bit.

"Yes, about that..." Claire clutched her bag's handle tighter. "I, uh..."

"It is something that terrible?" Charles asked and her chest sank at the look on his face.

"It is about Daphne."

"Excuse me?" The built man shifted his stance.

"I sent her to you." Mrs. Oxford's eyes fell onto the ground. "I told her to pretend the pregnancy is yours. I-"

" Get out." The simple statement came out as a low growl and Claire Oxford knew it would be wiser to leave while he was still calm. So, as quietly as possible, with her chest still sinking, she left her son's sight.

When the entrance door finally closed behind her, a strong exhalation escaped from her insides and she could not help but stay still for a minute.

Claire could really not start to imagine what Charles could be feeling. But she knew for certain she won't be seeing him in a while. So, after a little composure, she assured herself that the least she could do was recall her determination.

Her determination to protect Charles from Gabriel Manifold.