Tangled in his Obsession novel Chapter 98

Having just delivered a momentous revelation, Seraphina raised her gaze to meet that of Leandro.

Leandro offered her a sidelong glance, his comportment preserving its typical icy tranquility.

It seemed that Seraphina had an epiphany, her words having lacked the expected impact. Rising to her feet, she initiated her departure towards her chambers, uttering, "I ought to cross-verify the airway tickets."

Mid-stride, a recollection seemed to hit her. Wheeling around, she made her way back to the diminutive table, retaking her seat. "Prior to my departure, I'm entrusted with a query to Mr. Reynolds from a friend."

"Which friend?" Conway's forehead crinkled. "What's the matter?"

"Valerio Reynolds!" Seraphina fixed her gaze on Leandro. "Mr. Reynolds, after you ushered Valerio into the fold, did you not investigate his lineage?"

Conway's countenance subtly shifted at her inquiry.

Leandro, absorbed in perusing Conway's medical dossier, didn't so much as flutter an eyelash. "And in what manner does this pertain to your acquaintance?"

"Valerio is my friend." Seraphina said, "He really wants to know about his mother. I promised to help him out."

Having finished reading the document in his hand, Leandro placed it on the table and looked at Seraphina. "What do you want to know?"

"Everything about his past, of course." Seraphina replied. "As his foster father, no one would know this better than Mr. Reynolds, right?"

No sooner had the words left her mouth, Conway started coughing violently, flailing and grabbed Seraphina's hand.

"What's wrong, grandpa?" Seeing his panicked state, Seraphina was taken aback.

Conway seemed to be gasping for air, breathing heavily.

Leandro, on hearing Seraphina's question, twitched his brow, glanced at Conway and did nothing.

Conway glanced at him and seemed to realize something. He calmed down slowly, patting his chest, "I choked on my spit. Almost suffocated..."

Seraphina, sensing something was up, turned her attention to Leandro again. "Taking in Valerio must've been fate. He's so desperate for a mother's love, why not give him a chance?"

As her words trailed off, Conway suddenly choked and coughed violently, shooting Leandro meaningful glances.

Leandro just stared silently at Seraphina, waiting a while before speaking up, "Who told you Valerio was adopted?"

Hearing this, Conway's face changed drastically, and he started flailing again.

"Calm down, grandpa." Seraphina glanced at Conway and then laughed at Leandro. "If he's not adopted, then he's your biological son?"

Leandro met her gaze head-on, tacitly confirming it.

Conway instantly looked devastated.

Seraphina looked at Conway with a warm smile. "Grandpa, Valerio was brought home by Leandro, right?"

Conway, clutching his chest, coughed, "Cough...cough..."

"Leandro took in Valerio because he couldn't find the boy's parents, right?"

"Uh-huh..."

"Valerio just happens to resemble Leandro, right?"

"Uh-huh..."

Leandro, arms folded, observed Conway in silence as Conway animatedly narrated his tale. "I ventured this for Valerio's benefit. If Sera unearths the truth about Valerio being your offspring, she'll deem you neglectful and will be even more reluctant to associate with you! Valerio harbors such affection for her, and I'm fond of her as well. Where will you procure another damsel of her kind should she depart? She intends to return to Starhaven, but my falling ill should surely detain her, shouldn't it? She mustn't leave! Yet you have the audacity to chastise me. Ingrate! Don't delude yourself into thinking I don't see your underlying hope - that I might persuade Sera to remain..."

Leandro didn't respond, he simply lifted his head to look at Lorenzo who had just walked in, his expression as frosty as ever.

Lorenzo met his gaze, didn't bother with the pleasantries, just turned to the old man on the bed, "Gramps, you're playing sick again."

"Lory, perfect timing," Conway beckoned him over, "Whip up a report for me, make it sound as serious as possible, say... I might kick the bucket in two months, let's see if she'll leave then..."

"Cut the crap," Lorenzo said, "I'm swamped right now. If you're fine, I'm out of here."

"Get back here!" Conway hurriedly grabbed him, "Seraphina must be waiting at the door. If you leave as soon as you enter, wouldn't she know I'm faking it? Sit here!"

"You think she won't figure out you're playing sick like this?" Leandro glanced at his watch, then turned to Lorenzo, "Since you're here at the hospital, you should take good care of gramps, get him a thorough check-up."

Lorenzo nodded, "Got it."

Having given his instructions, Leandro headed for the door.

Conway wanted to stop him again, but couldn't.

When Leandro walked out of the emergency room, Seraphina was still standing at the door.

Seeing him come out, Seraphina was neither surprised nor curious. Instead, she breathed a sigh of relief, assured that Conway was okay.

If that's the case, she should be able to comfortably continue their previous conversation.

Where did Valerio come from?