A Man with Nerves of Steel (Joseph Hart) novel Chapter 3

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Cora had once been the number-one beauty in Jenton. Even now, at 40 years old, she was still stunning. Thanks to her good maintenance routine and a pampered lifestyle, there was no trace of age on her face—she looked like she was 28 at most. Her age only added a touch of mature charm to her.

She was also the richest woman in the city, sitting on a fortune in the tens of billions. Naturally, there was no shortage of men pursuing her. Still, there was a huge difference between having suitors and having an actual lover.

A paternity test was scientific evidence. It wouldn't lie. Cora's daughters weren't related to Joseph by blood, which meant she had definitely cheated.

Joseph didn't expect Cora to bare her soul and confess her filthy, shameful private life, but he had full faith in science. That was his leverage and what gave him the courage to finally confront her.

Sure enough, Cora didn't own up to anything. She simply smiled at him and asked, "What, are you that lacking in confidence? You're underestimating yourself and me."

"Maybe. But I've been getting this nagging feeling that you've been sleeping around behind my back. You've cheated on me time and time again!" Joseph spat out.

"What nonsense are you spouting? There's a limit to how far jokes can go. Don't throw words like that around, or I'll get seriously mad," Cora snarled.

"I knew it. You won't admit it until the truth's in your face. Explain this to me, Cora!"

Joseph finally lost his patience. He pulled out a creased paternity test report and shoved it at her.

Cora glanced at the conclusion. The smile on her face slowly froze, and her eyes suddenly sharpened as she swept a look over Joseph.

But she didn't panic. With infuriating calm, she tore the paternity report in half, folded the pieces, and ripped them again into shreds. "Honey, the joke's over. I'm full, so let's go home."

What the hell was that supposed to mean?

Joseph didn't budge. He'd already guessed how she might react, and he wasn't interested in bickering with her. "Do you know how many times I checked? I've done at least three rounds of tests at judicially certified labs—institutions appointed by courts for these things, like Jenton Rovo Biotech.

"On top of that, I mailed multiple samples anonymously to top labs in other cities. Every single result says the same thing—that Natalie isn't my daughter. She's the product of your little fling with some other man."