Suddenly There Are Three (Bailey and Artemis) novel Chapter 703

Chapter 703 A Father And His Dilemma

Bailey instinctively whirled around at the sound of Artemis' voice.

She wondered if she had misheard his earlier cry. “What did you say? What do you mean Clarence isn't going to make it?”

Only then did she notice that Artemis was holding her phone. He lowered his head and said, “The Jefferson residence's butler called you earlier. He said Clarence's condition worsened, and he was likely on his last breath. Then he asked if you wanted to head back and visit him.”

Bailey felt her legs go weak.

The news was far too sudden.

Too many things had happened, and though she had cut off her relationship with the Jefferson family and Clarence, she could not simply overlook his role in raising her.

“I-Is he dying? Is the information reliable?”

Artemis rushed forward to support her when she seemed on the verge of falling.

He brushed his slender fingers across her face to soothe her tension. “His health has been deteriorating since that incident. He's only buying more time with medication at this stage; nothing more can be done to cure him. Death is imminent.”

Bailey shut her eyes.

She did not cry, but she trembled more violently than before.

Sometime later, Bailey declared, “Come back to the Jefferson residence with me. He's still my father, after all. I may not forgive him for what he did, but I should see him one last time. They can be cold and cruel, but that doesn't erase the fact that they raised me. That alone is enough to convince me to visit him.”

Artemis promptly scooped her into his arms and walked toward the wards. He replied, “Okay. I'll go with you. But before that, you need to put on some extra layers.”

At that moment, Clarence leaned against the headboard of his bed in the infirmary of the Jefferson residence.

He appeared to be in better spirits than before, though perhaps it was merely a trick of the light.

“Have you gotten in touch with her and her mother?” he asked Zayn.

The butler quickly offered, “I've left them both messages. They should be replying shortly, so please wait a little longer.”

A nearby laptop began beeping with an incoming notification the second after Zayn uttered his reply.,

“Sir, it's a video call. Would you like to answer it?”

Clarence nodded. “Yes. I want to see her one final time. I've never been much of a father to her, and while I know she had a good life with the Shurmer family, she's still my flesh and blood. I can die happy if she's willing to call me her father even once.”

Zayn answered the video call and handed the laptop to him.

Clarence immediately frowned when he recognized the caller.

Instead of Zoey, Sofie's face filled the screen.

Sofie, his ex-wife, the scheming woman whom he believed dead for over twenty years.

He asked accusatorily, “Sophia, Zozo's your biological daughter. How could you do this to her? How can you swap her with another person's child? How is that any different from abandoning your child?”

Sofie shot him a taunting smirk and retorted, “What? Would you raise her if I didn't send her to the Shurmer family? The Jefferson family is nothing compared to a household as established as the Shurmer family. I would've ruined her life if I allowed you to raise my daughter. Are you sure you wouldn't have done otherwise if you were in my shoes?”

Clarence closed his eyes, trying his best to rein in his fury.

His end was near, and he did not wish to spend his dying moments arguing with that woman.

“Where's Zozo? Didn't she go abroad with you? Give her the phone. I want to speak to her.”

“What's the rush? It's just a few words with Zozo. We have plenty of time. I think we should discuss more important matters.” Sofie added, “Clarence, if I didn't try my best to save Zozo, your daughter would be begging on the streets now. The Shurmers and Bailey have no intention of forgiving her; they're hellbent on destroying her.”

Clarence clenched his fists and said through gritted teeth, “Well, haven't you escaped? Don't go causing trouble now. You should build a peaceful life with her. I've already told the lawyers to send you some funds. It's more than enough to support both of you for the rest of your lives. Heed my advice—do not try to mess with Bailey.”

To his dismay, she burst into guffaws and snapped, “You're still as innocent as ever after all these years. Do you think Bailey will let things go just because we've run away? She won't! That darling daughter of yours will not stop until she kills your biological daughter. You know what to do if you're even worth half a man.”

Silence descended upon the room as Clarence mulled over her words. Eventually, he asked, “What do you want me to do?”

A sinister laugh bubbled out of Sofie.

“Very simple. When I left Hallsbay, I sent someone to meet your youngest daughter, Rhonda. She's now in possession of an ancient poison that has no antidote. If you want to ensure Zozo's safety, then you will use it to poison Bailey.”

Clarence exploded, “Don't you know Bailey's personality by now? What makes you think I can successfully poison her?”

Sofie had clearly thought the plan through as she explained, “Once she learns that you're dying, she will surely rush home to visit you. Repent before her and lower her guard. That's the perfect opportunity to share a drink with her, which she won't refuse. And voila! The poison will be in her body.”

He fell silent once more.

Just then, Sofie disappeared from the video call. Zoey appeared on the screen a moment later.

“Zozo. Are you okay?”

Zoey sniffled and burst into tearful wails. “Dad, please save me, okay? I have too much bad blood with Bailey; she'll do everything to kill me! Can you really bear to see your daughter die at her hands?”

Clarence's indecision dissipated when he saw Zoey's tearful expression. A wave of paternal love swelled in his chest.

“All right, you've even called me your dad. As your father, I'll do my best to keep you safe. Just wait for my news.”

He ended the call and summoned his butler. “Z-Zayn, please bring Ms. Rhonda here.”

He heard a familiar titter outside his door. “That won't be necessary. I'm already here, and I have what you want, Father.”

Clarence lowered his head in shame.

He still could not bring himself to meet Rhonda's gaze.

And how could he?

He did not think he would ever be able to face his daughter after what had happened.

Rhonda noticed he was averting his gaze and could not help but scoff to herself. She said nonchalantly, “If you're harboring any pity for Bailey, then you're choosing to be cruel toward Zoey and me. Just remember that if you fail to poison Bailey, the responsibility will fall upon me. And then, she'll kill me, and you'll have no one to blame but yourself for your daughter's death.”

Clarence received the bottle of poison from her with shaky hands.

He mumbled, “Fine. I'll do as you wish. Drag her into h*ll with me to give both of you a secure life.”