Chapter 9: A Shocking Revelation
1109 Words
Things had taken an unexpected turn. We all assumed Mr. Murphy was going to use the media to publicly acknowledge his son—an illegitimate one—and bring him into the Murphy family. We thought he’d make the announcement and marry the boy’s mother. But now? What was going on?
The head of the public relations team, standing at the front, cleared his throat. “Mr. Murphy has personally addressed the rumors,” he said, trying to sound composed. “I’m sure you all are smart enough to figure out how to write this story without needing my help.”
For a brief moment, the room was silent. Then, he added, “Okay, if there are no more questions, the press conference is over.”
But before he could finish, a loud crackling noise filled the room. Two small figures suddenly appeared on the screen behind him. One was familiar to everyone—the boy who Artemis had just removed from the photo earlier. But the other figure… who was that?
“Isn’t that Abner?” a reporter whispered. “I can’t believe he’s with that other boy!”
“Wait, what’s going on here? Is there something we should know?”
The head of public relations cursed quietly under his breath. Mr. Murphy’s reputation was likely ruined now. He frantically signaled to one of the staff to turn off the projector. The staff member hurried to the keyboard, but no matter what keys he hit, nothing worked. Sweat formed on his forehead as he muttered, “Kids these days sure know how to cause trouble.”
Then, the boy on screen spoke up. “Let me introduce myself. I’m Abner Murphy.”
The room froze. No one could believe their ears. The Murphy family’s grandson could speak? Wasn’t he supposed to be mute? Didn’t they say he had intellectual disabilities and autism? How could he be speaking now? And if he could speak, did his father know?
Mason, sitting at the side, glared at the screen with anger. His face was as dark as a thunderstorm. He was furious. He had tried so hard to erase any connection between Abner and the family. Now, everything was falling apart. This boy was nothing but trouble.
In the video, Abner introduced himself and then turned to the boy beside him. He smiled and said, “This is my older brother, Asher. I just met him recently, and I want everyone to know him.”
The room went completely silent. What? Did Abner just say that? He introduced his brother after Mason had just tried to bury the rumors? It was a direct slap in the face to Mason’s efforts.
“Wait, so he really is Mr. Murphy’s son?”
“Of course. They’re brothers, right?”
“But didn’t Mr. Murphy deny this earlier? He said the photo was photoshopped. That doesn’t seem true anymore.”
“Yeah, if Mr. Murphy wants to clear this up now, he’ll need a paternity test.”
The reporters were suddenly shouting questions at the stage.
“Mr. Micheal, Abner just said the boy is his brother. Is there something we don’t know?”
“Mr. Micheal, someone spotted Mr. Murphy last night meeting the boy’s mother and offering her money to leave Hillsbay. Is this true?”
“Mr. Micheal, why did Mr. Murphy deny the boy is his son? Could it be that if he admits it, Abner might claim part of the family’s inheritance?”
“Mr. Micheal, do you think Mr. Murphy is trying to prevent conflict between the brothers in the future?”
Micheal, the public relations head, began to sweat. He knew that trying to explain this would only make things worse. Sometimes, it was better to stay silent than try to talk your way out of a mess.
Then, one bold reporter asked, “Mr. Micheal, since you can’t explain this, can you call Mr. Murphy in for an interview?”
Before Micheal could respond, the revolving door opened, and a tall figure entered the room, surrounded by bodyguards.
“That’s Mr. Murphy!” someone shouted.
The reporters rushed to the door as Mason walked into the room, his face cold and expressionless. Before anyone could speak, he said, “Kids say all sorts of things. I didn’t teach my son well, so he said something silly. The boys are just childhood friends, and it’s normal for them to call each other brothers. But that doesn’t mean he’s my son.”
Mason paused, letting his words sink in before adding, “To clear up your doubts, I’ll have an expert from the hospital show you the paternity test results. After that, you’ll know the truth. But I have an important meeting to attend, so the press conference is over. Goodbye.”
With that, he turned and walked away, ignoring the reporters’ questions. The cameras flashed, but his bodyguards quickly blocked the journalists.
“Mr. Murphy, will you change the paternity test results?”
“Mr. Murphy, why are you refusing to acknowledge the boy as your son?”
Mason walked out of the conference room, his expression colder than ever. Outside, he turned to his assistant, Jacob Brooks, and said, “Get to Bradley Condominium now.”
Jacob looked nervous. “Mr. Murphy, you’re all over the news. The reporters are following you everywhere. Maybe you should lay low for a while?”
Mason stopped in his tracks and gave Jacob a chilling look. “Did you find out what I asked you to investigate earlier?” he demanded.
Jacob took a step back, his voice faltering. “Seven years ago, Nora gave birth at a private hospital. The hospital’s now bankrupt. According to what I found, she gave birth to a stillborn baby.”
He paused before continuing, “But here’s where it gets strange. Nora and Amanda gave birth on the same day. However, Amanda gave birth to your child and didn’t get kicked out of the Taylor family. She gave birth in the family’s mansion.”
Mason’s mind was racing. Both women had the same delivery date? One had a stillborn child, and the other had Abner? This didn’t make sense.
Mason’s eyes narrowed as the pieces started to fall into place. The investigation showed that Nora’s baby had been stillborn, but Abner was alive and well, seven years later. Why had the hospital records said otherwise? He asked, “Did you find out who Nora sold her body to seven years ago?”
Jacob hesitated, sweat beading on his forehead. “Not yet, Mr. Murphy, but I’m still digging into it.”
- Writer
