Chapter 289: Jumbled Thoughts

Chapter 289: Chapter 289: Jumbled Thoughts

Vivian Lowell’s expression changed the moment she realized this.

She hadn’t thought much of it at the time. After all, plenty of stories about her were circulating online back then. Perhaps they had learned about those things before returning to the country.

They knew she was Vivian Lowell, that she was at the center of a media storm.

’But what if that isn’t actually the case?’

Vivian Lowell recalled her first visit to Mr. Drake’s house to catch the cat, and the moment she saw his housekeeper.

The housekeeper had been stunned, saying that Vivian Lowell looked like an old acquaintance of hers.

At the time, it had just been a minor incident that Vivian Lowell had all but forgotten. Only now, as scattered fragments of memory resurfaced, did she recall it.

There were too many coincidences.

When pieced together, they truly made Vivian Lowell suspicious.

’So...’

’Could the most likely scenario be that I’m one of the Drakes?’

’Am I Mr. Drake’s biological granddaughter?’

’Shelly Lowell must be the fake. Did she use her adoption to impersonate me?’

’But has Mr. Drake figured it out?’

Vivian Lowell had a feeling that Mr. Drake must have known. But if he did, he had still allowed all of this to happen. ’Why would he do that?’

Vivian Lowell still had no clue.

Just as she was lost in thought, Julian Faulkner returned to her side and sat on the sofa next to her.

"What’s wrong?"

Julian Faulkner saw she looked unwell and asked gently.

"Julian, I... I think I’ve discovered something incredible."

Vivian didn’t want to hide anything from Julian, so she told him everything she was thinking, then asked, "What should I do now? Should I go ask Mr. Drake?"

Then she remembered something else.

Mr. Drake had expressed concern that when he found his granddaughter, she might not accept the Drake family lifestyle, and he had even asked Vivian to help him analyze the situation.

At the time, Vivian had just thought Mr. Drake was genuinely worried. ’But he was actually trying to find out my true feelings!’

"..."

Julian fell silent for a moment. But compared to Vivian’s current agitation and panic, he seemed much calmer. He even...

"Vivian."

Julian sighed and said seriously, "I’ve actually considered all the things you’re thinking about. I didn’t tell you because I was afraid you’d overthink things if you knew."

"I think that’s the same reason Mr. Drake chose not to tell you. Vivian, you’re pregnant now. All of us have to consider what’s best for both of you."

Julian Faulkner was a very intelligent man.

He had started investigating as soon as Mr. Drake began to act unusually.

He had looked into Vivian Lowell’s past as well as the Drake Family’s internal situation. And, of course, his investigation hadn’t escaped Mr. Drake’s notice.

Unbeknownst to Vivian, Julian and Mr. Drake had a conversation. They discussed a few possibilities, and Julian had formed his own theories.

Therefore, Julian knew that things were bound to happen after the Drake Family "found" their long-lost granddaughter.

Since Mr. Drake hadn’t announced Vivian’s identity, it must have been to protect her. The only problem was that the whole affair was riddled with holes.

Anyone who knew even a little about the situation could see the problems.

And now, Vivian had noticed.

After hearing what Julian said, she opened her mouth as if to say something, but then she realized he made a lot of sense.

’That’s true.’ If she really was one of the Drakes, then all of Mr. Drake’s actions up until now were perfectly logical. The only thing she didn’t understand was what he was trying to achieve by acknowledging Shelly Lowell.

"Shelly!"

Vivian remembered something and said quickly, "Shelly Lowell seems to be on good terms with Joy Drake. Is Joy the one behind all this? And if so, what else does she know?"

’Where did the *correct* paternity test results come from?’

’Does Joy Drake already know who the real Miss Drake is?’

’Or does Joy not know? Is she just using Shelly Lowell to achieve her own ends, and the supposed paternity test result is a forgery?’

"Not necessarily."

Julian thought for a moment before analyzing, "Joy Drake might know, or she might not, but that’s not important anymore. I think at the very least, both Joy Drake and Mr. Drake are fully aware that Shelly Lowell’s identity is fake."

"But Mr. Drake’s reasons for letting this happen probably aren’t just about dealing with Joy Drake."

Joy Drake was one of the more outstanding members of the Drake family’s younger generation, but only "more outstanding." Compared to the worldly, shrewd, and experienced Mr. Drake, she was still leagues behind.

If Mr. Drake wanted to crush Joy Drake, it would be very simple.

But on this matter, Mr. Drake had chosen a more troublesome and complex method, watching idly as everything unfolded.

’Is Mr. Drake trying to root out more parasites within the Drake Family?’

’Or is there another reason?’

Vivian didn’t understand the Drake Family’s affairs, so she couldn’t think of any other possibilities.

"Well... okay."

Vivian lowered her head, feeling a bit helpless. "Julian," she asked, "what do you think? Should I ask Mr. Drake about this when we go hiking on Saturday?"

"I... I know some of the truth now, and even though it’s all just speculation, I feel so conflicted. I don’t know if I can act the same way around him anymore."

"Silly girl."

Hearing this, Julian hugged Vivian and comforted her gently. "If it’s true, he’s your maternal grandfather. You’ve been separated for so many years, and he’s always missed you. He’s been so good to you."

"It’s only right for you to accept him. And even if it isn’t true, he’s still a very good elder. The Drake Family is facing problems. He’s getting older, and while he might be able to solve them alone, there will be times when he can’t handle everything himself."

"Helping him is a way we can repay him for the kindness he’s shown us, isn’t it? Last time, he even contacted brand sponsors to make significant donations for the pet hospital."

The moment Julian said it, Vivian understood everything.

Right.

No matter the circumstances, Mr. Drake was a good person, someone Vivian truly respected. If they were family, it was only right for them to grow closer.

And even if they weren’t, it would just mean things would stay as they were. She really didn’t need to worry so much.

"I’m so silly."

Vivian leaned into Julian’s embrace and suddenly laughed. "They say pregnancy brain lasts for three years. I was still thinking I was plenty sharp when I was working on my designs."

"But I got all muddled on this. Mmm, you’re right. No matter what, Mr. Drake is someone worth helping!"

"Whatever Joy Drake and her lot are planning, if it’s something bad, I won’t stand for it!"

Vivian spoke with determination, her eyes shining brightly.