The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1090

If Allanson hadn’t started suspecting that Asclepius was somehow tied to them and sent people to dig deeper, he might never have found out he had a granddaughter.

He stood by the window, watching the branches sway outside. His hands, hidden behind his back, slowly curled into fists.

He pressed his lips together, the memory flickering through his mind. That woman had been sick in bed for more than ten years. Franco had exhausted every possible remedy, searching everywhere for a cure, but nothing had worked.

A mysterious illness. The need to keep a child hidden from the world.

Then something else popped into his head. Aloys had mentioned it not long ago. Some mystery girl had shown up at The Gilded Wheel, saying she was looking for an antidote. She was about seventeen or eighteen, which happened to be the same age as Franco’s daughter.

Could it be…

The realization hit him all at once. Allanson’s eyes widened, and a daring guess started to form in his mind.

What if that woman’s illness was genetic? A mutation that could be passed on.

If she had it, their daughter probably inherited it too. That would explain why Franco and Nora were so determined to keep their daughter’s identity a secret.

If that was true…

A slow, almost delighted smile spread across Allanson’s usually stony face. The man waiting beside him watched, completely lost, as his boss suddenly started grinning.

What was going on? Was Allanson actually happy about having a granddaughter? That made no sense. After everything that had happened between Franco and the Hawk Family, there was no way Franco would just bring the girl back home.

“Where’s Franco now?” Allanson’s voice was low and steady.

He couldn’t help it. He was dying to meet this granddaughter and see just how sharp she’d turned out to be.

“In Cabinda,” the man replied, frowning. “But Cabinda isn’t our turf. We can’t get any information there right now.”

“That’s fine.” Allanson waved his hand, a cold edge to his smile. “You can go.”

“Yes, sir.” The man was still totally in the dark. He’d barely made it to the door when Allanson called out again.

“Wait.”

He stopped and turned back.

“Keep an eye on what’s happening in Solenia the next few days. If Franco wants to see me, bring him straight here.”

“Yes, sir.” The man was surprised, but he didn’t dare ask questions.

Franco tried to keep his voice steady. He knew about her illness. The thought of it hurt more than he could show, so he kept his expression calm.

Charlotte knew what he wanted to discuss and didn’t argue. She followed him to the study.

The moment they opened the door, she noticed Anthony was already there.

“Dad,” he greeted, standing up as they entered. After saying hello, he moved to Charlotte’s side and gently took her hand.

“Sit,” Franco said softly, glancing at both of them.

Anthony led Charlotte over to the sofa, draped a thin blanket over her shoulders, and handed her a strawberry before turning back to Franco.

“People on the Isle of Veil already know about Lottie,” he said. “They probably figured out about the genetic mutation, too.”

“It was bound to happen sooner or later.” Franco’s smile was cold, his eyes settling on Charlotte. “Two days from now, I’m going back to the Isle of Veil.”

Charlotte’s chewing slowed. She looked up, her voice cool and steady.

“I’m going with you.”