Chapter 272

Evelyn glared at Beatrice with undisguised contempt as the older woman barged into the living room. The designer handbag landed carelessly on the couch like discarded trash.

Her sharp eyes scanned the room like a predator hunting for prey.

Dominic was nowhere in sight. Undeterred, she marched toward the bathroom to investigate.

"You have no right to be here," Evelyn blocked her path, voice icy. "Leave immediately."

Beatrice's gaze fell upon a pair of men's slippers beside two smaller ones near the shower. Her face twisted in fury.

She jabbed a manicured finger at Evelyn's face. "You shameless harlot! Married to Maxwell yet seducing my son? And now you've brainwashed my grandchildren too? No wonder Alexander and Isabella disappeared from our estate!"

Evelyn trembled at the venomous words.

The children were just in the bedroom - they might overhear this vile confrontation. "I won't engage with you today. If you came looking for trouble, you're not welcome here."

She knew Beatrice was her father's ex-wife, but felt no familial connection whatsoever.

Beatrice's rage escalated. "Robert's daughter indeed! Not only do you flaunt your affair, you dare dismiss your own mother? You know Dominic is your half-brother yet you cling to him like some cheap-"

Evelyn remained eerily calm, her dark eyes reflecting Beatrice's hysterics with detached amusement.

This only fueled Beatrice's anger further. She raised her hand, ready to strike.

Then Evelyn spoke, voice steady. "I'm tolerating this intrusion only out of respect for my father's past relationship with you. But make no mistake - you are not my mother."

Beatrice froze mid-swing. "What nonsense is this?"

"Look at us," Evelyn gestured between them. "Our features, our temperaments - completely dissimilar. Are you certain I'm your biological daughter?"

Beatrice's expression flickered with something unreadable. "Of course you are! Who else would-"

"Look me in the eyes and say that," Evelyn challenged, her piercing stare unwavering.

"You... you are my daughter," Beatrice insisted, but her gaze darted involuntarily to the right.

A sudden, relieved smile broke across Evelyn's face.

"What are you smiling at?" Beatrice demanded, unnerved.

"I took psychology electives in university," Evelyn explained calmly. "When people lie, their eyes shift right as the brain fabricates excuses. You just confirmed what I suspected - you're not my biological mother."

Beatrice gaped like a fish out of water.

"You're bluffing!" she finally spluttered. "We can do a DNA test if you don't believe me!"

Her nails dug into Evelyn's wrist. "Stay away from Dominic! Be content as Maxwell's wife instead of chasing after my son like some common-"

The bedroom door creaked open.

"Grandma!" Isabella's cheerful voice interrupted. "We heard you! Did you come to visit us?"

Alexander added, "Mommy takes very good care of us."

Beatrice's rage momentarily softened at the children's appearance - until she processed Alexander's words.

"Mommy?" she repeated, voice dangerously low. "How dare you let them call you that, you scheming-"

Her hand raised again, but the twins' presence stayed the blow. The battle lines were drawn, and the war had only just begun.