Married To My Billionaire Stepbrother novel Chapter 253

Chapter 253: His Own Daughter

In Bayford City, at Harper Mansion.

Julia was sitting in the drawing room, watching the news on TV. The screen was displaying scenes from the perfume event and what had happened with Natalie.

James was also in the room, speaking with his assistant about something along with giving some important instructions.

"She’s just like Caryn," Julia remarked, unable to hide her admiration. "The way she handled the situation—it’s exactly like her mother. If Caryn were alive, she would have been proud of her daughter."

James was well aware of what his mother was watching. Despite his repeated warnings to her not to pay attention to anything related to Caryn, Julia never listened.

Once the assistant left, James turned his gaze to his mother, then to the TV screen, where Natalie was confidently mocking Faye with her bold words.

"Not just in looks, but even the way she talks—exactly like Caryn, isn’t it?" Julia said as she noticed James watching the screen as well. "Just like her mother, she’s always prepared to anticipate her enemy’s moves and shows no mercy."

James always intentionally ignored paying attention to any news related to Ford family and especially ignored this daughter of Caryn. He could not deny that resemblance she had with Caryn, not just looks even the way she carried herself. One gaze was enough for him to know it as Caryn’s existence could never erase from his mind, despite his efforts.

James averted his gaze from the screen and returned his focus to the file in his hands. "Mother, even if you insist on watching it despite my warnings, you should do it quietly. Others aren’t interested in hearing endless praises for unrelated people."

Julia frowned. "She is related to me, and I have every right to praise her."

James looked at his mother, his expression unreadable at her words.

Realizing her slip of toungue, Julia quickly corrected herself. "Once, I called Caryn my daughter. So, her daughter is someone to me as well," she said firmly, her tone growing more resolute. "I don’t know, and I don’t care, what happened between you two. But to me, Caryn is still like my daughter. She once saved my life. You may choose to forget that, but I can’t. This life of mine—I owe her. And because of that, I refuse to sever ties with her or her daughter."

James was about to say something, but he couldn’t deny the truth—at least he owed that woman for saving his mother’s life. He opened his mouth to speak, but Julia interrupted him.

"Oh, look at her," Julia said, her attention fixed on the TV. "She looks just like Caryn when she used to make perfume. No wonder her daughter is so skilled. I asked Caryn many times to start a perfume business with her talent, but she kept it as a hobby, creating perfumes only for those she cared about. I still have the bottle of perfume she made especially for me. Sadly, it’s empty now," she sighed, then added as if talking to herself, "Maybe I can ask Natalie to make the same perfume for me."

"There’s no need to meet her daughter," James interrupted sharply. "You can give me that bottle. From the leftover traces, I’ll have the best perfumer recreate it for you."

Julia frowned angrily. "Don’t you know her perfumes were unique? They weren’t easy to replicate," she snapped. "If you’ve forgotten, go back to your room and check the perfume bottle you still keep hidden in your wardrobe—the one she gifted you back then."

James’s expression turned cold, his jaw tightening at the mention of his privacy being invaded. He stood abruptly. "I must have forgotten to throw it away," he said curtly, heading upstairs. As he walked away, he added, "And stop paying attention to that girl. She doesn’t deserve it. She’s just like her mother—pathetic."

Julia’s anger flared at his words. "I wonder what she inherited from her father. Her father must be pathetic as well."

Hearing that, James stopped but didn’t turn around. "Jay Ford. Yes, he’s pathetic. So, imagine a daughter born of two pathetic people—how could she be any different?" With that, he strode away.

Julia felt an overwhelming urge to follow her son and slap him with all her strength. If only you knew—you’re that pathetic father who doesn’t even realize his own daughter exists.

She turned back to the TV, forcing herself to calm down as she watched Natalie—her blood, her granddaughter.

James, I wonder how you would react when you find out she’s your own daughter? Julia let out a deep sigh. And that your cherished adopted son and your biological daughter are in a relationship. I wonder what kind of storm it will bring to our family once again. But one thing I’m certain of—I will bring Natalie into this family at all costs. I don’t care about the rest. That child has endured so much pain while her own family failed to protect her. It’s enough now.

Meanwhile, James entered his room, his expression still cold. He walked to his wardrobe, unlocked a drawer inside, and retrieved a beautifully carved box. Opening it, he revealed a simple half-empty perfume bottle alongside a note from the one who had gifted it to him.

So many years had passed, and though he hadn’t used it since its creator left him, he couldn’t bring himself to throw it away. His heart felt heavy as he looked at it. Closing his eyes to steady himself, he shut the box and called for the servant.

"Yes, Master," the butler said, entering the room.

James handed him the box. "Throw it away. Right now," he commanded.

The butler glanced at the box with a conflicted expression but obeyed without question.