The Wrong Girl and the Wronged Girl (Stella and Ethan) novel Chapter 870

870 The Breaking Point

The phrase “illegitimate child,” uttered by Dan with a biting sneer, struck Artemis and Manny like a sudden blow. Both of them froze instantly, their expressions hardening as a surge of anger bubbled just beneath the surface, barely restrained.

Dan turned toward Dale, a cruel smirk curling his lips. “So, what do you think? Is there really any need to wait for the test results? Look at her—crying like the whole world’s ending. It’s clear she’s trying to make you stop before the truth comes out. Poor thing, such a tragic beauty. Maybe you should keep believing her, huh?”

Each word dripped with scorn, sharp and unrelenting.

Artemis’s face drained of color, fury flashing in her eyes. She had been playing the part of the broken victim perfectly—grieving, desperate, pleading for sympathy—only for Dan to tear through her carefully crafted facade without hesitation.

Yet Dale remained unmoved. Her tears, her trembling voice, none of it affected him anymore.

He had already made his decision. Once this had begun, he was determined to see it through until the truth was laid bare.

Casting Artemis a cold, hard look, his voice—once gentle and warm with her—now sounded like ice. “You can cry all you want after the results come back.”

There was no emotion left in his tone, just a chilling indifference.

In that instant, both Artemis and Manny felt something shift deep inside them—a heavy weight settling in their guts. It was over. No matter what they said or did now, Dale’s mind was made up.

Artemis closed her eyes briefly, then reopened them, exhaustion and disappointment etched across her face. She met Dale’s gaze steadily and spoke quietly but with unmistakable resolve. “In that case, we’re done. If you don’t want this family anymore, then I don’t want it either. Manny, we’re leaving.”

Rising from her chair, she straightened her posture with deliberate pride as she moved toward the door. Every step was sharp and dignified, radiating the fierce anger of someone who felt deeply betrayed. Her words were final—intended to force Dale’s hand, to make him stop her before she walked away forever.

Manny shot Dale one last cold, hard look before following his mother, his face set and unyielding.

If Dale called off the test now, they might have been able to maintain appearances—at least temporarily.

But if Artemis and Manny walked out that door, there would be no turning back.

That moment would mark the end of their connection to Black Mountain once and for all.

But Dale refused to let them leave.

“Stop them,” he commanded sharply, his voice cutting through the tense silence like a blade.

The words hit the room like a gunshot.

Artemis froze mid-step, her spine stiffening as she whirled to glare at him, fury blazing in her eyes. “Dale!”

Her voice was a mixture of anger, betrayal, and disbelief, all tangled together.

Dale narrowed his eyes slightly but said nothing.

Manny’s voice came out low and tight. “What’s the meaning of this?”

Dan chuckled dryly. “It means nobody’s leaving until the results are back. Need me to spell it out for you?”

Silence fell once more.

Mother and son exchanged a glance—something dangerous flickering between them.

Dale regarded her silently, his face unreadable.

Just as Dan had said—

The more she screamed, the more it looked like guilt.

Her outburst only confirmed what Dale had already suspected: she was afraid of the test because she was hiding something.

With three different parties sending five people each to oversee the process, there was no chance to tamper with the results.

Ever since the blood samples had been sent off, Artemis hadn’t stopped crying and causing a scene.

Dale’s doubts had taken root long ago, but with every tear she shed, those doubts only grew stronger, gripping him completely.

Now, standing there shaking and yelling at him, he narrowed his eyes with a dangerous glint. “We’ll see when the results come back,” he said slowly, each word carrying a quiet but unmistakable threat.

At the doorway, several bodyguards had already stepped in, blocking any chance of escape.

If Artemis and Manny wanted to leave now, they would have to fight their way out.

But in truth, it didn’t matter anymore.

Whether they stayed or fled, everything between them was already broken beyond repair.