AFRPR 63

Chapter 63

“W-what?”

Tom was surprised.

“What did you just say?”

“Oh, you heard that?”

Estelle said calmly.

“I said it was sudden. All my life, my father was the Count of Bellonsa.”

“Y-yes. It’s understandable that it feels sudden.”

It didn’t sound like that, but Estelle was so bold that Tom just let it go.

“We’ll get closer slowly! Don’t feel too pressured, daughter.”

Ha ha!

Tom and Dr. Jerry laughed loudly.

But then Dr. Jerry brought up business.

“By the way, Mr. Newman, the test is done. When will you pay the fee you promised?”

“Oh.”

Tom looked awkward when money was mentioned.

“I’ll contact you about that later.”

“Okay, I’ll wait. For now, you’re busy enjoying family time after a long while.”

After Dr. Jerry left, Tom hesitated, then turned to Estelle.

“Um, Estelle. Can we talk alone for a moment?”

“Yes, that’s fine.”

When Estelle nodded, Lennox gave Tom a disapproving look but moved aside.

“Actually, Dad spent quite a lot looking for you. Finding someone isn’t cheap.”

Tom’s eyes became wet.

“Finding your mother almost failed too… I had to give up halfway. I’m so glad I found at least you.”

“So, what do you want to say?”

“Can I stay here for a while?”

“Here?”

“I don’t have a place right now. After meeting again, I feel bad imposing.”

“……”

“If you give me a spare room, I’ll work hard to earn money. Even Dr. Jerry’s test isn’t cheap!”

Tom quickly waved his hands.

“No, I’m not trying to burden you! I’m just explaining. Just let me stay.”

He said it wasn’t a burden, but it sounded like one.

Estelle understood, but smiled kindly.

“Sure. Stay as long as you like.”

“Lord of the Tower, Duke Winterlen is here.”

“What? The Duke? Has he come to push for a cure again?”

Ever since Estelle collapsed, Lennox had pressured her about the medicine. She herself wasn’t in a hurry.

Bang!

Lennox stormed in, glaring.

“Your advisor doesn’t look good. Change him.”

“Huh? Are you in a bad mood today?”

“I’m just stating the truth. How is that mood-related?”

“Someone’s picking a fight. He’s a friend who helped me since childhood. Isn’t that normal?”

Lennox crossed his legs and ignored him, then complained again.

“Does the Magic Tower lag behind that Tom or Jerry guy?”

“Oh, Dr. Jerry?”

Claude spoke up.

“He invented that technique while I was unconscious. If I had been awake… ugh.”

Claude grabbed his stomach suddenly.

“What’s wrong?”

“I just remembered that he bought a huge house with the money for the paternity test. My stomach hurts thinking about it.”

If I had patented it first! I’d be richer!

The thought made Claude wriggle on the floor.

Then Lennox said simply,

“That guy seems like a fraud.”

“Huh? Dr. Jerry? No way! That technique is certified by the Magic Tower!”

“It was certified when the Tower Lord was absent. Maybe someone covered for him.”

“Come on, our kids are talented. You’re just mad because you suddenly have two in-laws, right?”

“In-laws?”

Lennox gripped the arm of the sofa.

Crack.

The leather tore.

“Uh? That’s 5,000 gold!”

“Advance payment. The rest later.”

Lennox threw a gold coin from his pocket. Claude quietly laughed.

Lennox thought about it. Tom’s story was mostly true:

He was the son of a poor rural lord, went abroad briefly, and had no money.

Now, the poor Tom became the father of the empire’s top heiress.

“Perfect score!” Claude shouted.

“I’m jealous! I want to be a rich man’s dad too.”

Crack.

Lennox just touched the table, and it cracked.

“Uh! That’s 3,000 gold…”

“Advance payment.”

The coin flew before Claude finished speaking. He caught it lightly and grinned.

“Living with your father-in-law isn’t easy, huh?”

“Me?”

Lennox looked proud.

“Why should I struggle just because there’s one more household member?”

Actually, since Tom moved in, he was having a hard time.

[Estelle, did you sleep well…]

[Tia, the clothes you gave me last time. How do they look?]

[They really suit you, Lady Lea.]

[Right?]

Whenever Tom tried to speak to Estelle, Glesia appeared and blocked him.

[A rolling stone like you shouldn’t be bothering our Tia.]

It wasn’t just Glesia.

[Estelle, Dad wants to say something…]

[Does my wife have business with you?]

[Well…]

[What.]

[…]

[Why.]

[…Nothing.]

And Duren…

[Huh? Mom has a dad? Mom has a father? Why?]

He was very surprised.

[Mom wasn’t born alone. Did you think she had no parents all this time?]

[Yes!]

Duren nodded happily and briefly paid attention to Tom.

But when Tom fell asleep five minutes into their walk, he was disappointed.

[Mom’s dad is weak!]

[Call Mom’s dad grandfather.]

[Grandpa is lame!]

Duren quickly lost interest in Tom.

“So, why did the guest come? Not to complain, right?”

“Check Dr. Jerry’s patented paternity test again.”

“What? You really think Dr. Jerry is a fraud? No way.”

Claude looked serious.

“It’s certified by the Magic Tower. This is about trust in the Tower.”

“Then secretly check it with the Tower Lord’s authority.”

“Easier said than done. Do you know how famous I am?”

“Claude Barnes, someone’s life is at stake. Don’t speak so lightly.”

This wasn’t a simple paternity test. With Tower certification, if both agreed, Estelle could officially join the Newman family anytime.

“Fine! But if the technique is flawless…”

“12 million gold. Cash.”

“Deal!”

Claude secretly grinned at Lennox.

‘Estelle asked me the same job. Double pay if the test is perfect!’

His stomachache vanished.

It had been five days since Tom stayed at the Winterlen estate.

“City! Take me there now!”

He went out in a carriage.

His face looked thinner.

A shadow ran from under his eyes to his chin.

He looked nervous, like a hunted man. His skin roughened.

“Don’t wait. Go back first.”

He got off somewhere, pulled his hood over his face, and entered a narrow alley.

He reached a seedy tavern.

It was noisy and crowded.

Tom saw someone sitting alone.

He sat across from the person, also hooded.

“I can’t live like this! It’s hell there!”

The loud noise drowned his low voice.

“I can’t even talk to her! Her family treats me like I’m nothing!”

“……”

“Even seeing black hair makes me faint! Those red eyes are disgusting! And the child too!”

He pretended to vomit.

“Really? Just five days in and you’re whining?”

The person, silent until now, finally spoke.

“If Estelle joins, that money will be yours. I don’t understand why you complain.”

The person sighed and removed their hood.

It was Mathias.

“The paternity was confirmed, so it’s almost done. Be patient and try to persuade her.”

“I can’t even talk to her! How can I persuade her?”

“No, you must try! You need to make an effort! You really want the money, right?”

Mathias looked at Tom, puzzled at his resistance.

Then…

“Madam, Tom Newman has contacted Mathias Bellonsa.”

Estelle heard this.