Chapter 65

Since Ross had already done the test, Shermaine didn’t see any reason to repeat it. She blinked, slipped the hair back into her pocket, and planned to toss it into the trash can in her room.

The results were a bit disappointing, but Shermaine trusted Ross’s thoroughness, knowing there was little chance of error. She couldn’t help but wonder whether it was really true that Ruth had become the way she was because of Jameson’s infidelity.

Ross knew Shermaine might be disappointed with the outcome, but there was no changing the facts. He had been very discreet back then, and the expert he consulted was reliable–there would have been no room for error.

He ruffled Shermaine’s hair again before saying, “I know you’re disappointed in Mom–I feel the same way. But if she keeps hurting you, I won’t hesitate to cut ties with her for your sake.”

A mother like that wasn’t necessary, but his sister was irreplaceable. He hadn’t been able to protect Shermaine when they were kids, but now that he had grown up, he wouldn’t allow her to suffer anymore.

Shermaine nodded. She was indeed disappointed with the results, but she still believed that a DNA report didn’t prove everything. If they were right—that Ruth wasn’t their mother—she must have planned everything meticulously to assume this identity. That meant exposing her wouldn’t be easy.

Shermaine added, “Oh, and guess what? When I got back, I saw Dad making out with a woman in the car.”

“Did you get a good look at her face?” asked Ross.

Shermaine thought for a moment. “She had a mole near her ear.” It was dark, and she had only caught a glimpse of the woman for a few seconds, so she couldn’t make out her face. But that mole was distinctive—hard to forget.

Ross nodded. “That’s her. Even though Grandma sent her abroad back then, Dad never cut ties with her. For over a decade, they’ve been in frequent contact. Looks like he’s brought her back now. They even have a son, about your age.”

Shermaine didn’t feel much for her irresponsible father. But she felt a little sorry for Ruth, who had raised the children alone and managed the family for Jameson, only to be betrayed, “So, looks like you’ve got a rival now, huh?” she teased.

Ross said in a gentle tone, “He’s just a good-for-nothing.” But his words were sharp.

Shermaine chuckled. She thought, ‘There are probably few men in the city who can compare to Ross. He can handle anyone with ease, except those as exceptional as Joshua. Besides, I will never let anyone mess with my brother.’

Then she asked, “Ross, do you have any photos of Mom from back then?”

Ross hesitated for a moment before replying, “I do. I’ll go downstairs to deliver the wallet, and I’ll bring them up for you in a bit.”

Shermaine nodded.

After chatting for a bit, Ross went downstairs to deliver the wallet to Ruth.

Shermaine headed upstairs to her room to unwrap the gifts Ross had brought her. There were quite a few gifts, all packed into one big suitcase. The most extravagant one was right on top—a property deed.

She glanced at the location and thought, ‘Wow, this must cost a fortune—as expensive as the car Joshua gave me.’

What truly caught her fancy were the quirky little trinkets Ross had picked out for her. Of course, there were also plenty of designer bags, necklaces, and perfumes.

A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door.

“Come in,” Shermaine said.

Chapter 65

Ross walked in, holding a photo album. “These are the family photos we took before you went missing.” In fact, he hadn’t opened the album since Ruth changed, afraid that it might stir up too many emotions.

Shermaine took the album, It was thin, but somehow felt heavy in her hands.

Ross probably didn’t want to look at it, so he mentioned he had a meeting to attend and left the room.

Once the door closed again, Shermaine opened the album without hesitation.

The woman in the photos had long, flowing hair and looked gentle and graceful. Her lips curved in a soft smile, and her clear eyes radiated clarity and intelligence.

As Shermaine looked at the photos, she felt an inexplicable sense of closeness to the woman.

As she flipped through the pages, she came across a family photo—her whole family together. Ross stood beside Jameson while Ruth held baby Shermaine in her arms. The only thing that seemed off was the unfamiliar woman in the background. She was dressed simply, holding a baby bottle—she looked like a nanny.

Shermaine glanced at the photos briefly before flipping the page. In less than ten minutes, she finished going through the entire album.

She sat down in front of her desk, opened her laptop, and stared at the screen for about half a minute. Then, she opened the search bar and typed in the name “Ruth Jean.”

Shermaine just couldn’t let it go. After seeing the photos, she felt an even stronger urge to know what kind of woman her mother had been fourteen years ago.

Soon, Ruth’s personal information appeared on the screen. Her resume was truly remarkable. Before marrying Jameson, she had been a PhD student in biology at Brostead University and had worked alongside a biologist on cloning research.

Later, she met Jameson, and the two fell in love. But at the time, the Jean family was on the verge of bankruptcy because of the financial crisis.

Without hesitation, Ruth left her research position, invested all her savings into a pharmaceutical company affiliated with the Jean Group, and threw herself into drug development. Eventually, she created a drug that inhibited cancer cells, saving the Jean Group from collapse.

Afterward, they got married, and Ruth took a step back from her career, choosing to focus on taking care of Jameson and the kids.

Shermaine’s scrolling stopped abruptly when she saw a photo of Ruth from an interview. She realized that the woman standing next to Ruth in the photo looked exactly like the nanny from the family picture she’d just seen.

Chapter 66