She Took 864

The chapter opens with a tense confrontation between Dale and Dan, where Dan implies that none of Dale’s children are biologically his. Dale reacts with shock and anger, demanding the truth, while Artemis tries to intervene, fearful of the fallout. Despite her pleas, Dale decides to proceed with DNA testing, driven by a fierce need to uncover the truth, even as Artemis’s resentment and heartbreak grow.

Meanwhile, across town, Victor shares a lighthearted moment with Tessa, who is recovering from an illness and joyfully eating fruit. Their playful interaction reveals a warm bond, highlighted by Tessa’s teasing and Victor’s gentle amusement. The mood shifts when Victor informs her about Dan’s demand for DNA tests for everyone involved, sparking Tessa’s curiosity and excitement about the unfolding drama.

Tessa confidently asserts that none of the children are Dale’s, citing the twins and herself as proof. She is convinced that the truth will be explosive, and she is surprised that Dale has the courage to challenge Artemis so directly. The chapter ends with the tension between trust and betrayal thickening, setting the stage for the impending revelations and emotional turmoil. Official source is FιndＮovel.net

864 When Trust Begins to Crumble

“What on earth are you implying?” Dale snapped sharply, his voice edged with disbelief.

Raising someone else’s children? What was Dan trying to say? Was he seriously suggesting that none of the kids were Dale’s own blood?

Dan’s smile remained steady, unfazed. “You’ll understand the truth once the test results come back.”

“Dale—” Artemis’s voice wavered, trembling with a mix of fear and desperation.

She was losing her composure. The tension between the two men was thick, like a storm about to break. In Dale’s eyes, she caught a flicker of doubt—a hesitation that could very well tip into agreement at any moment.

“Dale, if you go through with this, it won’t just be you who ends up looking like a fool,” she pleaded earnestly. “I’ll—”

Her words faltered, breaking off before she could finish. Because deep down, she knew the truth would ruin more than just him.

Dale’s gaze remained locked on Dan, unwavering and intense.

“I’ll do it too,” Dan said coldly, his voice cutting through the heavy silence. “All of us will.”

“Dale…” Artemis whispered again, her voice barely audible.

Her resentment, long buried beneath a fragile calm, finally burst through. She could no longer hide the hatred burning in her eyes as she glared at Dan, every ounce of fury etched across her face.

But Dale’s feelings had evolved beyond mere suspicion.

It was anger now—raw and fierce—a desperate, reckless need to uncover the truth, no matter what it cost.

His eyes darkened with determination as he spoke the one word that shattered Artemis’s heart completely.

“Fine.”

“Dale!” Artemis’s cry pierced the air, a desperate, broken sound that echoed and faded as he nodded in resolve.

But it was already too late.

Meanwhile, across town, Victor ended his phone call and glanced over at Tessa, who was happily munching on fruit.

She’d been under the weather recently, her appetite diminished by the fever that had sapped her strength. But now, with the fever gone, her hunger had returned in full force.

During her illness, she’d craved oranges, but now, with her strength returning, she was devouring strawberries and cherries one after another.

Her bowl was filled with the bright red fruits, and she popped them into her mouth with a childlike delight.

Victor turned just in time to see her cheeks puff out before she spit a cherry pit onto the table.

The simple sight made him smile warmly. She was so easy to please, so innocent in her joy.

“Sweet?” he asked softly.

Tessa nodded enthusiastically. “Mm-hmm. Really sweet.”

The fruit truly was delicious. Victor stepped closer, and without hesitation, she held out a strawberry toward him.

“You eat it,” she said with a playful grin.

Victor chuckled. He wasn’t exactly the type to enjoy sweet treats.

“Come on, try it. It’s really good,” she insisted, her eyes sparkling.

“It’s that good, huh?” he teased.

She nodded eagerly, “Mm-hmm. Super sweet.”

Just the word “sweet” gave him pause, but the way she looked at him—her eyes wide, hopeful, and waiting—made it impossible to refuse.

Gently, he took her wrist and popped the strawberry into his mouth.

The brief contact—the warmth of his tongue brushing her fingertips—sent an unexpected jolt through her entire body.

Her hand jerked back instinctively, her cheeks flushing a deep shade of red.

Victor noticed her reaction and chuckled softly. “What’s wrong?”

She huffed, shoving a cherry into his hand. “Eat it yourself, jerk.”

He must have been doing it on purpose. A strawberry that big—there was no way he could have “accidentally” touched her fingers.

Victor couldn’t help but smile at her flustered little pout. He reached over and ruffled her hair affectionately. “News from Black Mountain just came in.”

“Really?” Her eyes lit up instantly, curiosity shining through.

Seeing her interest, Victor laughed. “Back in Rivermount, did anyone ever call you out for being this nosy?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“You know, sticking your nose into everyone’s business,” he teased gently.

Tessa fell silent for a moment.

Okay, maybe she was a little nosy. But she only paid attention to gossip that actually involved her—she wasn’t that bad.

“Oh, come on, tell me! What happened at Black Mountain?” she urged, leaning in closer, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

Years of tangled love affairs erupting into chaos—it was better than any soap opera.

She had to know how it all ended.

Especially about Dale—after all these years, would he finally stand up and fight?

“Dan went back,” Victor said evenly. “He wants everyone to take a DNA test.”

“Everyone?” She blinked, stunned. She stared at Victor, disbelief written all over her face. “What do you mean, everyone?”

“Yeah,” Victor confirmed. “Manny, himself—everyone.”

Tessa froze. Everyone?

“All of them?” she repeated, eyes wide. “If none of them turn out to be his, he’s going to lose his mind!”

Seriously—five kids, and not a single one his? He’d go completely insane.

Victor watched her amused expression and smiled. “You sound pretty sure none of them are his.”

“Of course I am!” she said without hesitation.

He raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

“Think about it,” she continued quickly. “The twins aren’t his, and neither am I! That’s already three out of five. You know what that means?”

Victor smirked. “Infertility?”

“Exactly!” she said proudly, as if she’d just cracked the case wide open.

She was absolutely convinced—none of those children belonged to Dale.

But then she paused for a moment. “Still… I didn’t think he’d actually have the guts to go after Artemis like that.”

The chapter closes on a tense precipice, where trust has been fractured and emotions run raw. Dale’s fierce determination to uncover the truth, no matter the cost, marks a turning point in his relationship with Artemis and the children. Her heartbreak is palpable, underscored by the weight of his cold resolve. The unresolved questions about parentage and loyalty hang heavy, threatening to unravel the fragile bonds that have held them together.

Meanwhile, the contrast provided by Victor and Tessa’s lighthearted moment offers a brief respite from the storm. Their playful interaction and Tessa’s confident deductions about the children’s paternity add layers of complexity and anticipation. The chapter leaves us poised between suspicion and confrontation, with the promise of revelations that could redefine their lives forever. Emotions are heightened, and the stakes have never felt higher.

The next chapter promises to plunge deeper into the unraveling of long-held secrets and the fragile bonds that hold this family together. As Dale steels himself for the DNA tests, the tension that has been simmering beneath the surface threatens to erupt into open conflict. Emotions will run high as trust is tested and loyalties are questioned, leaving everyone vulnerable to the consequences of truths revealed. The storm that has been hinted at in this chapter is about to break, and no one will be left untouched by its aftermath.

Meanwhile, the seemingly innocent moments shared between Victor and Tessa offer a poignant contrast, yet even here, undercurrents of intrigue and unspoken feelings simmer quietly. Tessa’s sharp observations and growing suspicions add another layer of complexity to the unfolding drama. The next chapter will explore how these intertwined relationships navigate the mounting pressures, and whether old wounds can begin to heal or will only deepen the divides. Expect a delicate balance of tender moments and raw confrontations that will leave readers eager to see who will stand firm and who will falter when the truth finally comes to light.