Beneath the Surface of Lies

Chapter 1

Claire Johnson climbed the stairs, her eight-month-old belly making each step difficult. She held onto the railing, anxious to get back to her room and pick up her labor and delivery records.

As she walked past her mother, Helen Green's room, she could faintly hear the sound of conversation coming from inside.

"Mom, is Claire out?"

"Uh, Chen took her to the hospital for a maternity checkup."

It was the voices of her mother and sister Anna Johnson, and they were talking about themselves?

Curious, Claire moved closer to the doorway to hear more. At that moment, Helen's voice came out, clear and urgent.

"Is everything done?"

"Mom, how can I trust him? He has bribed the doctors and nurses to make sure Claire goes into the delivery room, but definitely doesn't want her to come out again. When she dies, the baby in her womb will inherit her shares, and in the long run, we'll have a better chance of taking over the estate."

A smug laugh followed.

"Claire would never have guessed that when I drugged her and sent her to that guy's bed, she thought she was just drunk, it's a crying shame, she's as stupid as her dead mother."

Anna chimed in, "If that old man hadn't been protecting her, we would have dealt with her long ago, why bother, what an old fart ......"

"In the beginning, if that old man didn't dislike my birth as dishonorable, and forced my father to marry Su Nian, how would I have become an illegitimate daughter. If Su Nian didn't end up dying by his side ......"

Claire's heart sank to the bottom in an instant. How could her mother possibly be the murderer of her own mother? The blood in her body seemed to be boiling, she covered her mouth, resisted the urge to rush into the room, and turned around to leave.

She wanted to tell her grandfather, she wanted to put Helen in jail. However, she tripped over a vase in the hallway and made a small sound.

Helen and Anna hear the noise and, with a sense of urgency, open the door. They see Claire struggling to get to the stairs, clumsy because of her pregnancy.

Mother and daughter looked at each other, Helen immediately greeted her, pretended to be concerned and reached out to help her: "Little Night, what are you doing back here? Didn't I go to the maternity checkup with Old Chen?"

Claire disgustedly avoided her, vigilantly distanced herself from her, her body slightly shivering, panic and fear in her eyes, as if she was looking at a criminal of the most heinous crimes. This reaction confirmed Helen's suspicions.

Seeing that Claire already knew the truth, Helen no longer hide, showed a sinister smile: "Xiao Lian, I am pregnant with a child. Don't get excited, if you hurt the baby in your belly, no one will look good."

This apparent concern, in fact, is a naked threat, using Claire's baby to blackmail her.

Naturally, Claire heard this, and her heart burned with anger, she glared at Helen and staggered out of the room, who was in a frenzied state.

She wanted to tell her grandfather right away, to make Helen pay for her mother's death.

As she sees Claire walking away, Helen casts a wicked look at Anna, who immediately realizes her intentions and follows Claire quietly. When Claire reaches the stairway, Anna gives her a push.

"Ah ......"

Claire exclaimed, losing her center of gravity and sliding down the stairs. Her abdomen hit the hard ground as she landed, and the pain spread throughout her body, blood gushing out from between her legs. ......

The strong smell of blood quickly spread in the air.

"Well ......"

Claire was in cold sweat from the pain, desperately trying to get up, but she couldn't even use a single ounce of strength, after a feeble struggle, she finally fainted in the darkness.

......

In the emergency room of the hospital, Claire was lying on the operating table covered with blood, the stomach cramps like a blender in her body, the pain made her whole body trembling, cold sweat ......

In a haze, she saw several red figures swaying in front of her eyes. Tears flowed freely, she wanted to scream for help, beg for help for her child, but could not even say a word, all words can only swallow back.

At this moment, there was only one thought in her mind -

Her child must not be in trouble, absolutely not!

Suddenly, a burst of hot and humid from the side of the body, like something desperately drilling out, and soon the entire operating table are stained with blood .......

In a daze, she vaguely heard the doctor's words: "too late, the child did not save, really a poor baby boy, simply heartbreaking ......".



Chapter 2

Four years later.

In the VIP room of the Palace Hotel, five women sit together in a relaxed and intimate atmosphere.

"Come on, let's celebrate Claire's return! Without Claire's efforts, Empire Group would never have made it to the top 100 in Metropolis. We're going to continue to work hard to replace Johnson Corporation as the premier leader in the Metropolis jewelry industry." One of the women, in her mid-forties, with short shoulder-length hair and smartly dressed, is Helen Green, one of Empire Group's partners.

The Claire she's talking about is Claire Johnson, who's been missing for four years and has just returned from abroad.

Claire's long, slightly curly chestnut-colored hair was tied into a high ponytail, and the corners of her cherry-colored lips were slightly upturned. Although she was dressed in a simple professional outfit, she exuded a stylish and lazy temperament.

"Happy cooperation." She slightly raised her glass, and drank the red wine in the highball glass.

Immediately, everyone exchanged pleasantries, and then began to discuss business while eating.

Helen, who was sitting beside Claire, continued to report the latest news: "In half a year's time, it will be the wedding of Jessica Lowe, the eldest daughter of Lowe family, and Aiden Miller, the heir of Summers family, the Lowe family would like to prepare a set of unique jewelry for Jessica as a dowry, and they have sent you an invitation letter, hoping that we can cooperate with you. We hope to work with you."

Claire narrowed her eyes, a cold glint in her amber eyes.

Jessica Lowe--

Lucas Lowe's own sister, and Anna Johnson's future sister-in-law.

The Lowe family is one of the largest in Metropolis, and Lucas is the current head of the Lowe family, President of Imperial Group.

Four years ago, Lucas, who is unmarried, suddenly has a son, whose birth mother is Anna.

The two Lowe family members dote on their new grandson, even throwing him a lavish billion-dollar full moon party.

Anna, as one of the most important people in the family, was then engaged to Lucas. But in the past four years, they have not been able to enter the marriage hall.

Nevertheless, thanks to Anna's family history, the Johnson Corporation has risen through the Metropolis ranks to become one of the top ten families in Metropolis.

Seeing that Claire didn't say anything, Helen carefully added: "However, considering the Lowe family's position in Metropolis, there are many people who want to fight for this project, and you're just one of the invitees, and the Johnson Corporation is also among them. Whether or not we end up working together depends on the individual's ability."

At this point, Helen was afraid that Claire would be upset, and hurriedly said, "I believe that with your ability, you will definitely be able to take this project. This will not only establish a relationship with Lowe's family, but also put pressure on Anna."

Claire smiled faintly, her wine glass gently clinked with Helen's: "Of course, this project, I am determined to get it."

She didn't just want this project, she wanted everything Anna had.

If it wasn't for Anna, her son wouldn't have died at birth, and she wouldn't have even been able to see him.

And Anna's son is heir to the biggest family in Metropolis, for what?

In order to replace Johnson Corporation, Claire had devoted her life to founding the Empire Group, which had won numerous awards and made a name for itself as a leader in the jewelry industry.

As for Anna--

She's going to make Anna feel what it's like to lose everything.

In the middle of the meal, Claire drinks a little too much and gets up to go to the bathroom.

Just out of the bathroom, she saw a small figure looking around in the corridor, the child is about four or five years old, delicate features, as cute as a small model, black and white eyes are very eye-catching.

Claire frowned, quickly walked towards the child: "Candy, why are you here? Didn't I tell you and your sister to wait for me at home? It's dangerous for you to run out alone! Where is my sister?"

Lucas Lowe's son Candy's face was grave, his pink lips pursed, looking very mature and cold: "Your tricks are outdated!"

Claire didn't react for a moment, and froze for a split second: "What?"

Candy said coldly, "You've got to give up, my father won't like a woman like you who doesn't love herself."

Before the words left her mouth, Candy had already turned around and ran away.

Claire stood in shock, her mind was blank, Candy had already disappeared around the corner.

"Heh ......" she gasped and laughed.

She didn't expect her son to not only sneak out, but also accuse her of not loving herself to her face.

Little guy, really more and more skinny?

But on second thought, I felt something was wrong.

Candy has always been known for mischief, usually see her will jump into her arms, full of intimacy and naughty.

However, today he looks so serious, like a different person as ......



Chapter 3

Claire Johnson catches up with Brian Lowe and scoops him off the ground into her arms.

"What are you doing? Put me down." Brian Lowe's tiny eyebrows were knitted together, his face full of alarm.

Seeing his nervous look, Claire Johnson not only didn't get angry, on the contrary, excitedly kissed him on the face: "Brat, I really love you this size of the human appearance, too cute ......"

"You ......"

Inexplicably was robbed cheap, Brian Lowe to gasp, is about to explode, Claire Johnson but a press him into the arms: "My business is also finished, I go in and say hello to them, and then and you a piece of home."

Brian Lowe's face turned red with shame.

He was about to resist, when a faint scent filled his nose. He was slightly startled, and inhaled greedily. This flavor was so familiar, so warm. It made him inexplicably have a sense of peace of mind and security, his violent emotions were miraculously soothed, and he even greedily wanted to keep leaning on her arms.

He hadn't felt this way with his own mother, Anna Johnson.

Claire Johnson didn't notice anything unusual about him, and carried him into the private room.

Claire Johnson smiled and explained, "This is my son Ethan Johnson, nicknamed Little Fish."

She gave birth to a baby boy. Her son died at birth, leaving her and her daughter Candy to fend for themselves, and by chance she met Ethan Johnson in his infancy.

For some reason, the first time she saw Ethan, she was reminded of her son, who had died at birth, and felt so close to him that even though she was already struggling to take care of herself, she still had no choice but to adopt him. She left Metropolis with her son and daughter, and was gone for four years. During these four years, the three of them lived together, she loved Little Fish as if he were her own son, and Little Fish thought that he and Candy were twins, and had no idea of his birth.

After listening to her introduction, the crowd stared incredulously, full of unbelief. They could not have imagined that Claire, who was only in her early twenties, already had such a big son.

Claire ignored their curious gazes, and turned to Simon and asked, "I need to personally meet with Jessica Lowe before I can give a concrete plan, so make an appointment for me."

Her words made Brian Lowe raise his eyebrows slightly. She wanted to meet his sister-in-law? What for?

Simon, knowing Claire's usual behavior, nodded in agreement.

When things were almost done, Claire was worried about her daughter at home, and after exchanging pleasantries with them, she got up and left. She had a little too much to drink today, so Claire found a chauffeur to drive her. She leaned back in her chair, rubbing her aching temples, while rambling like any mom.

"Fishy, I forgive you today, but don't go running around again, you're only four years old, it's dangerous out there, what if you meet a bad guy? I've raised you with great difficulty, if you have an accident, I ......"

The words did not finish, was Brian Lowe interrupted in a deep voice: "You want to see Jessica Lowe for what?"

Claire did not suspect, casually replied: "Six months later is Jessica's wedding, mom is going to design wedding jewelry for her. How can I know what she wants without seeing her?"

Brian Lowe realized, sharp eyes stared at Claire, full of doubt. Who was this woman? Why had she mistaken him for her son? How could a mother mistake her own son for her own? Unless, they look very similar, so similar that even the closest people can not distinguish.

Feeling his strong sight and powerful aura, Claire frowned in confusion, something flashed in her mind that made her wonder, the after-effects of the wine were too strong, her brain was a bit dazed, and she failed to catch the useful information in time before it disappeared.

Half an hour later, we arrived at our destination, Claire took Brian Lowe's hand and walked him through the cobblestone paths of the neighborhood, Brian Lowe was afraid that if he walked any further, he would wear out his clothes, he stood there and tried to make a pee-pee face, "I have to pee."

Claire said, "Hold on, we'll be home soon."

Brian Lowe's face was wrinkled into a ball, very difficult: "No, I can't hold it."

Claire can't help him, afraid that he suffocated his body, pointing to a rockery not far away: "Behind the rockery there is a public toilet, you go there by yourself, I'll wait for you here."

Brian Lowe nodded, ran to the back of the wigwam -

Claire waits for him where he is. One minute, two minutes ......

Five minutes passed, and Brian Lowe had not come out.Claire, afraid that something had happened to him, called out in a low voice: "Fishy?"

There was no response from behind the wigwam. An uneasiness welled up in her heart, Claire was about to go over to look for him, when a familiar voice suddenly came from behind her: "Mommy......"

The next second, a familiar little figure dashed towards her, jumped onto her, and kissed her hard on the cheek, "Mommy, you're finally back, I missed you so much."

Claire slapped his butt a little angrily. "Bastard, why don't you know how to go back the same way when you're done peeing? Scared me to death!"

After saying that, she realized that something was not right, and wondered, "Weren't you wearing a white leisure suit just now? Why did you suddenly change into a white tracksuit?"

Ethan Johnson thought she was drunk, rolled his eyes and said, "I've always been wearing this dress, you've been drinking too much and your eyes are blurred. Candy and I made you some sober tea, go up and drink it!"

Claire: "......?"

Is that so? Is she drunk and blind?

Claire shook her head, didn't think much of it, and carried Ethan into the front apartment building.

After they entered the apartment, Brian Lowe came out from behind the wigwam with a serious face, his deep ink pupils staring at the direction where Claire disappeared, his cherry red lips pursed into a line. There was actually a little boy who looked exactly like him.

According to biology, except for identical twins, it is impossible for two different individuals to look exactly the same. But his biological mother and father had never mentioned that he had a twin brother. What the hell is going on here?



Chapter 4

Brian Lowe was deep in thought when his cell phone suddenly rang in his pocket.

He took out his cell phone, saw the caller ID on the screen, the tension in his heart came like a tidal wave, his lips trembled slightly, and his voice was low and respectful: "Father ......"

......

Twenty minutes later.

Several cool black Bentley's escorted a Maybach, which arrived, and parked steadily on the side of the road.

The car door opened, and a dozen black-clad bodyguards walked down one after another.

The door of the Maybach was pushed open, and a handsome man in a black suit slowly stepped out, exuding a cold aura that was even more intimidating than winter, and firmly walked towards Brian Lowe who was standing by the side of the road.

The man's face was defined and flawless, following the light as if he were a god descending from the heavens, shrouded in awe-inspiring majesty.

The magnificent cufflinks, the fine watch, they were no less than an indication of the man's status.

Brian Lowe, like a statue, with his hands folded on his belly, whispered: "Father ......".

Lucas Lowe stared coldly at Brian Lowe, his face like frost, no emotion: "Why did you come here alone? You have one minute to explain."

Brian Lowe hangs his head, bites his lower lip, and is silent.

Seeing his silence, Lucas Lowe's voice became impatient: "Speak."

"I'm sorry!"

In response to Lucas Lowe, there were only three short words, without any explanation.

Lucas Lowe pursed up his thin lips, seeing Brian Lowe's trembling appearance, his heart could not help but feel a little bit unbearable, suppressing the anger in his heart, instructing his subordinates, "Send the young master home, let him close the door to think about it, without my order, do not set foot out of the door one step."

"Yes!"

Assistant David King immediately took action, quickly put Brian Lowe into the first Bentley, and then left.

Other bodyguards followed, escorting Brian Lowe away.

Looking at the Bentley, Lucas Lowe's heart is still not quenched with anger, his face is grim, tugging on his tie, ready to get into the car and leave, his legs were suddenly embraced by something.

He looked down, but it was a three or four-year-old girl.

The little girl was very cute, with a pair of big round eyes sparkling on her rosy face, her head was tied with two small pills, and her pink hairband was swinging gently with her movements, just like two colorful butterflies fluttering.

The little girl tilted her head, her big watery eyes full of anticipation: "Daddy, you're finally back! Why are you back now, Candy missed you so much!"

Lucas Lowe has always had limited patience, never wasting time on insignificant people and things.

But looking at the little girl's flushed face in front of him, he was unusually patient and didn't leave immediately, "You've got the wrong person."

Candy shook her little head and said firmly: "No, Candy won't recognize the wrong person! You and my brother look so much like each other, must be my Daddy.Daddy hug, Candy wants Daddy to hug ......."

While saying that, while holding on to Lucas Lowe's pants leg with his little fleshy hand, his short legs kept stomping, trying to climb up, but because he was too small, it was difficult to succeed, and the whole person could only hang on to Lucas Lowe's body.

"......?"

Lucas Lowe's handsome face slightly sunken, his temples vaguely painful.

He had never been good with children, and that was why his son was as silent and precocious as he was now.

There was nothing he could do about the little girl's obsession.

Just when he was at his wits' end, not knowing what to do, a low roar suddenly came from the front.

"Candy......"

His eyes followed the sound.

Only to see a woman in sophisticated casual wear angrily approaching.

Her figure was slim, her features delicate, her dark gray knit shirt fitted her body and framed her curves, and her legs were long and slender, hidden in tight jeans.

As she approached, a faint scent filled the air.

He was slightly startled, and his eyes narrowed slightly.

This smell was so familiar.

It was the same as Anna Johnson's scent that night five years ago.

It was strange that when Anna had reappeared in front of him with her son in her arms, he hadn't been interested in her, but today he felt a long-lost familiarity from a strange woman.



Chapter 5

Claire Johnson's face huffs, she wrings Candy's collar, sets her aside on the floor, and, too late to reprimand, immediately apologizes to Lucas Lowe, "Sir, I'm sorry. ......"

She saw the man's face, eyes wide open, full of incredulity: "Sir, you look very familiar, and I ......"

This man is simply the same as Candy.

Their eyebrows and eyes and outline similarity is as high as ninety-nine percent.

He couldn't be the real father who abandoned Candy, could he?

Claire's straight gaze made Lucas feel uncomfortable, he frowned, coldly and sarcastically said, "Are you trying to say, I look similar to your ex-boyfriend?"

Claire blurted out without any hesitation, "Of course not! You and my son are exactly the same ......"

The temperature around them instantly dropped to freezing point.

It was as if a layer of frost had solidified in the air.

Lucas's gaze was as cold as ice, giving people the creeps.

A chill ran from the soles of his feet to his whole body, Claire suddenly realized that he had said the wrong thing, and hurriedly explained, "No, I'm not saying that you're my son, I'm saying that you're very much like my son, and I suspect that you're his father ......"

Uh ......

This explanation seems to be getting worse and worse.

Where had her usual eloquence gone?

What the hell is this talking about.

Candy didn't notice the tension between them at all, still jumping around, excitedly calling out, "Mommy, he's daddy, daddy is finally back, let's bring daddy home ......"

Claire immediately covered her little mouth and smiled awkwardly at Lucas.

Lucas's face is gloomy like iron, the corner of the mouth barely pulled, the coldness in the eyes and that smile form a sharp contrast, let a person feel a hint of shudder.

He felt like he was completely crazy to be here listening to this crazy woman chattering away.

"That, you listen to my explanation, this thing is like this, I ......"

Claire tried to organize her words, trying to explain clearly.

But Lucas did not give her a chance, coldly swept a glance at her, bent down on the side of the Maybach, a step on the gas pedal, drive away, quickly disappeared in the field of vision.

Claire: "......?"

"Daddy ...... Daddy ......"

Candy deflated her little pink mouth in aggravation, her eyes were red, and she might cry out at any time.

Claire at this time felt that she was simply humiliated to the family.

And this is all thanks to the little girl next to her.

She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, suppressed the fluttering anger, picked Candy up from the ground, and said in a slightly angry voice: "Candy, remember what I told you? Don't run around, it's dangerous outside, what if you meet a bad guy?"

When she and Candy returned home just now, she realized that Candy had disappeared.

She was so anxious that she almost went crazy, and was even about to cry.

She told Candy to wait at home and call her when he came back, while she searched everywhere.

She was even thinking of calling the police if she couldn't find anyone in the neighborhood.

Candy is completely different from her big sister.

Candy is smart, active, and quick-thinking, and even when she meets a bad guy, she can still find a way to escape.

Candy, on the other hand, is the opposite: she is gentle and trusting, just like when she was a child, and she is the kind of girl who would be sold out but would still be able to settle the score for others.

If Candy really meets a bad guy, she's really screwed.

But fortunately, Candy is fine.

Otherwise, she really didn't know what to do.

Candy hugged Claire's neck, buried her little head in her arms, her little body twitching little by little, sniffing hard: "I secretly followed my brother downstairs, I wanted to give you a surprise, but I couldn't find my brother after I followed him."

Claire sighed breathlessly in her heart.

This was the kind of silly thing her little girl could do.

Candy mumbled again in a small voice, "Mommy, why don't we pick Daddy up and bring him home, and Daddy's gone again, when are we going to see Daddy again? I can't let go of daddy ......"

Claire carried her towards the neighborhood.

While walking, while tirelessly repeating the teachings of four years ago.

"He's not your dad, you've got the wrong person. Your dad is an astronaut, went to space, it will take years before he comes back ......"



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