Chapter 3 He Is Not My Child

• “Artemis! Max's crazy!” Rhonda screamed.
• Her complaint irked Artemis, and his face gloomed.
• The truth was, Artemis understood why his child found that woman repulsive. Maxton was a sensitive child, so he must know how Rhonda felt about him just from her casual remarks.
• The fact that Rhonda accused him of being crazy was enough to prove that she did not love that boy at all.
• Six years was enough for Artemis to see Rhonda's true colors.
• If it were not for Maxton, Artemis would have chased that woman out of the house.
• “Maxton, stop it. Go back to bed,” Artemis finally interrupted, but the child glared at him when he heard that.
• “Only if she stays,” he retorted, but when both Maxton and Artemis turned around, Bailey was already nowhere to be seen.
• Did she run away?
• Maxton glowered at his father and continued, “You're useless. You can't even keep an eye on her.”
• Artemis was rendered speechless.
• When Rhonda saw that Maxton had finally calmed down, she pulled him back into her arms and held him despite how the boy struggled to break free. “Max, that person's my older sister, your aunt. She got pregnant out of wedlock, so Granddad chased her out of the family. It would be best if you stay away from her. She's a bad influence on you.”
• “You don't have to tell him that,” Artemis reprimanded.
• Maxton scoffed as well. You're a bad woman. You've finally shown your true colors. I knew from the start that you're not my mommy. Other mothers look at their children lovingly, but I can only see greed in your eyes when you look at me. I will find my real mommy one day and reveal your true identity.
• Over in a fifth-floor suite in Shelbert Condominium, Bailey shouted in anger when she beheld the mess in the house. “Zayron! Come here right this instant!”
• Bark!
• A sharp bark came from the room on the right, and a dog with underwear on its head ran over to Bailey in excitement, but the woman booted it, and a mellow thud followed.
• Zayron was appalled when he came out and saw the dog whining.
• Is she crazy? Or has she reached menopause early?
• “I told you that you shouldn't mess up Bailey's house, Hado! It's worth a few million! You got what you deserved for dirtying the place. Come, let me see how you're doing. Aw, did she kick you? All your fur has fallen because of that!” Zayron commented.
• Hado lay on the ground crying as if it was accusing Zayron of being hypocritical.
• Bailey saw through her son's act and said, “I'll give you an hour. If things are still the same after I come out of the study, I'll throw you out of the window.”
• Zayron was piqued when he heard that. “Hey! Is this how you should treat me after I saved you? That guy from the Luther family would've gotten you if it were not for me. How could you come home and threaten me like this?”
• “Have you forgotten that the three billion I stole is all in your pocket now? If anything, you'll be the first to get it from them!” Bailey scoffed, pinching his cheek.
• Meanwhile, things were in chaos over at the Luther family.
• Artemis sat on the couch silently in the living area with his brows stitched in anger.
• Opposite him, Rhonda sat down stiffly as she surveyed his face for any changes in his expression.
• Ever since they returned from the hospital, Maxton had been throwing a tantrum, and Rhonda was caught in a tight spot because of him.
• Sometimes, she felt like choking the boy whenever she thought of how his appearance bore a resemblance to Bailey.
• I would've killed that brat if I had not needed him to marry Artemis.
• She had felt deeply insulted over the past years whenever someone commented that she was living the best life for having given the Luther family a son and married Artemis. To them, it seemed as if she was the woman who enjoyed all the wealth and luxury in Hallsbay, but to her, Maxton was nothing but a humiliation because he was not her son.
• It was precisely because of the boy that Artemis had not touched her throughout all those years.
• Every time she tried making a move on Artemis, he would brush her aside without sparing her a glance.
• He even told her that having an heir was already enough for him and that he felt disgusted by women.
• All these years, only Rhonda herself knew how much she endured, and she hated her life.
• Not only did she have to bring up Bailey's son, but she also had to raise him as the only heir of the Luther family.
• When Rhonda found out that Bailey had returned, she was confronted with the fear that Bailey might reveal the truth and cause her to be thrown out of the Luther family.
• No! I can't let that happen to me. I have to get her out of Hallsbay!
• Crash!
• Sounds of plates shattering came again from the second floor.
• Artemis, who had tolerated Maxton's behavior all that while, sprang up from the couch and shot up the staircase.
• Rhonda smirked. Good. Keep that up, boy. You might lose your father's favor in the end. By that time, I will have another son to replace you.
• Upstairs, Artemis had just opened the door when an object came flying in his face. He blocked it with his hand in time, only to end up with a handful of oatmeal.
• His face darkened, and the ambiance of the whole room chilled.
• He charged forward in big steps and grabbed Maxton. “Maxton Luther! I think that's enough.”
• The boy looked up at him with his eyes filled with tears, stuttering, “I-I want her...”
• Despite not knowing her name, Maxton still wanted Bailey to be by his side. She wouldn't have run off if it weren't for that pretentious woman!
• Artemis knew who his son was referring to, but there was no way he would do as Maxton wished.
• To Artemis, a son should learn to respect his mother even if he disliked her.
• “Rhonda is your mother. You have to respect her even if you don't like her. As for other women, you should stop thinking about them.”
• “Hmph! I won't eat anything if you don't bring her to me!” the boy shouted, looking at Artemis with his nose high.
• The man threw the child back on the bed and stormed out. “Fine. Then you stay here and don't eat a thing.”
• “I'll do that and just starve!” Maxton screamed back.
• Since when does that troublemaker talk this eloquently?
• That night, Zayron was editing some pictures on the laptop in the study when he came to a realization.
• “You don't say. I actually look a lot like that villain from the Luther family.”