Begging For A Reconciliation
Chapter 72

Chapter 72

Leah nodded and smiled at Jane. “Alright then.”

When Jane saw how accommodating and unspoiled Leah was, she could not help feeling even moretender and affectionate toward her. She took a card out of her purse. “There’s still some credit on thiscard. Go ahead and use it for whatever you want; if it’s not enough, let me or your father know.”

Leah could not help feeling moved by this gesture. She replied with genuine gratitude, “I’ve got morethan enough money. I’ve still got credit on the card you gave me last time.”

“Spend the money if you have to, don’t scrimp on things, alright?” Jane advised, smiling. “I’ve noticedthat you’ve not been looking very well lately. If you have time, go for a health checkup at the hospital.Also, if anything happens or anyone tries to bully you, you must tell me…”

“Yes, I will.” Tears welled up in Leah’s eyes. She had never experienced a feeling of belonging like thisbefore. She had a home to return to, a family who was concerned about her, and people who werewilling to stand up for her and protect her.

She had experienced none of these things when she had been in the care of her previous adoptivefather, Charlie.

Forget about the past now, Leah told herself. From now on, she would make her home with the Whitefamily and live a peaceful, happy life with them as Ms. Sarah White.

…

Gordon retrieved a photograph from a folder and placed it on the table. “Do you still remember thisgirl?” He asked Dr. Fenton.

Dr. Fenton picked up the photograph and stared at the image of Sasha. Frowning, he pondered for awhile. “I seem to recall her. Isn’t this the little girl whose face was severely damaged? I attended to her,

didn’t I? That’s right, I did. It’s definitely her. It’s been ten years since then, though.” The elderly doctorgave a long sigh, then looked up shrewdly at Gordon and asked, “I remember that she was adopted bya couple, but I don’t know how she’s doing now. Why are you asking me about this?”

“My wife and I were the ones who adopted her,” Gordon explained. “However, we’ve discovered thatwe might have adopted the wrong girl by mistake. I suspect that there was someone manipulatingthings behind the scenes, so I’ve come to see you to clear up a few things.”

“What do you want to know?”

“Do you know who brought her to the orphanage back then?” Gordon asked.

Dr. Fenton listened to Gordon in silence, staring at the photograph. He put on a pair of glasses andthought long and hard, his brow deeply furrowed.

After a while, he suddenly cracked a smile. “Now I remember. She was brought to the orphanage by aman.”

“Do you remember what he looked like?” Gordon pursued eagerly.

Dr. Fenton sucked his teeth with a soft hiss, his brow creasing even more. “That, I don’t really recall.Oh, yes! That’s right, I remember now. He had a scar on his chin.”

Gordon frowned slightly. A scar on the chin? He thought hard, but he could not recall anyone of hisacquaintance who had a scar on the chin. Furthermore, he was an affable man who had not fallen afoulof anyone yet, so he did not think that he would have many enemies. Nonetheless, he committed thisclue to memory and would ask Leah about it when he got home.

“In that case, do you still have the DNA report for the paternity test you conducted on her?” Gordonasked.

“It’s been so long, I don’t remember anymore…” Dr. Fenton murmured, his gaze clouding over. As hespoke, he got to his feet. “However, you’re in luck. I didn’t throw away the reports of the examinations Imade back then. They’re all in my old files. Let me take a look and see.”

Dr. Fenton went into his study and began searching. A while later, he finally pulled out a file, his handstrembling from age. “There, this is it.” He brushed the dust off the file’s surface and handed it toGordon.

Gordon hurriedly took the file from Dr. Fenton and opened it. When he saw the contents, his browimmediately knitted tightly together.

“How can this be…” Gordon’s expression turned grim as he stared at the file in front of him. Anunpleasant idea was slowly taking shape in his mind. Sasha’s DNA report was indeed inside the folder!However, it was completely different from the one that the orphanage director had given to him and hiswife!

Even though he was not a medical professional, he could see at a glance that this DNA report andSasha’s blood type indicated that they were not related at all. If they had received this report ten yearsago, they would certainly not have adopted Sasha.

They could not possibly have taken the wrong report, after all. There was only one way this could havehappened.

Someone had switched the reports!

Gordon’s expression was very grim. If this was the case, then they had been duped like fools for a fulldecade.

He clutched the report tightly, then turned to Dr. Fenton. “Dr. Fenton, can I take this with me?”

Dr. Fenton nodded. “Of course, take it with you. When the orphanage caught fire ten years ago, thesereports would have all been destroyed if I hadn’t rushed in to save at least some of them.”

Gordon’s brow furrowed even more at this. Dr. Fenton’s comment further strengthened his suspicions.Someone had wanted to use the fire to cover their tracks. However, it would not have occurred to themthat something like this might happen.

Gordon thanked Dr. Fenton, then hurried home, taking the report with him.

On the way, he kept thinking about the matter. In a fit of anxiety, he called Leah. As soon as sheanswered the call, she asked immediately, “Dad? Where have you been?”

“I’m in Torrance County, where you used to live,” Gordon replied. “Sarah, do you know any men whohave scars on their chins?”

Leah frowned at this. Gordon’s description immediately made her think of one specific person. “Yes, Ido,” she answered. “My former adoptive father, Charlie Parridge.”

Gordon’s brow knitted. He knew now that his suspicions were correct.

“Listen to me, Sarah. I’ve discovered that ten years ago, you and Sasha’s identities may have beenswitched…” Gordon said slowly. “Furthermore, I’ve more or less been able to confirm that youradoptive father was behind it. I’m on my way home now. When I get back, I’ll look into this again.”

“Alright.” Leah’s heart skipped a beat. If that was true, then Sasha and Charlie…

Her hands clutched tightly at each other.

Gordon ended the call and hit the gas pedal, eager to get home. However, Torrance County was somedistance away from Linkville, so it took him a full day and night to make the journey back. He finally

reached home the next day, utterly exhausted.

Everything was quiet when he opened the door and went into the mansion.

“Sarah?” Gordon called, but nobody answered.

One of the maids came out. When she saw him, she exclaimed, “Mr. White, you’re home!”

“Where are the others?” Gordon asked.

“Mrs. White has gone out for tea, and Ms. Sarah is still asleep. Ms. Sasha has gone out as well,” themaid replied respectfully.

Since no one was at home, Gordon realized that continuing to worry would do no good whatsoever.With that, he went up to his room and put the folder on the bed. Then he picked out a change of clothesand decided to take a shower.