Accidentally Crossing the Tycoon Chapter 147

Clara's POV:

"Clara." Audrey's voice was calm.

"I was wondering if you could tell me about the DNA test results."

The world around me seemed to freeze.

My mouth went dry as I gripped the phone tighter, shooting a panicked look at Finley.

How did she know? Had she somehow seen through our charade at the restaurant yesterday?

"DNA test?" I echoed weakly, buying time as my mind raced through possible explanations. "What do you mean?"

"The test you were planning to run with the hair sample you took from me yesterday."

Her tone remained matter-of-fact, without a hint of anger.

"I'm assuming you've gotten the results by now."

I nearly dropped my phone.

Finley mouthed *What's wrong?* but I could only shake my head in disbelief.

"You... you knew?" I finally managed to whisper. "All this time, you knew my intention?"

"Of course I knew, Clara." Audrey sighed on the other end.

"You're really terrible at lying. I just want to know the results."

The calmness in her voice was more unsettling than any anger would have been.

I leaned against the car, suddenly needing the support.

"There are no results, Audrey," I admitted, feeling a strange mix of shame and relief.

"The test... there was a problem with the sample."

"What kind of problem?"

I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal.

"It wasn't... it wasn't viable. We couldn't complete the test."

A brief silence followed, and I could almost see Audrey processing this information on the other end.

"I see," she finally said. "Then I'll come to the hospital myself. Send me the address."

"You'll—what?" I stammered, caught completely off guard.

"I'll come for a proper test," Audrey clarified.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "You're willing to do the test? Voluntarily?"

"Yes. Text me the address. I'll be there in an hour."

The call ended before I could respond.

I slowly lowered my phone, turning to face Finley and Ethan with wide eyes.

"She knew," I said, still processing what had just happened.

"She knew my intention yesterday, and she's not even mad. She's coming to the hospital to do the test herself."

Ethan's expression shifted from concern to confused hope.

"She's *willing* to do the test?"

I nodded. "She'll be here in an hour."

"Wait, I don't understand," Finley frowned, crossing his arms.

"Wasn't she the one who made you promise to keep this whole thing quiet? What changed?"

"She just said she needed time," I explained, feeling the tension in my shoulders finally start to ease.

"Maybe she's thought it through and is ready to face the truth now. Whatever the reason, I'm just relieved we can finally stop with all the secrecy."

"Me too," I added with a small smile. "I was terrible at it anyway."

Then Finley turned to Ethan with a more serious expression.

"So what are you planning to do about Daisy?" he asked, his tone carefully neutral despite the tension I could see in his jaw.

Ethan sighed heavily.

"I'll talk to her. Then I'll send her back to Chicago."

Finley scoffed.

"That's it? Ethan, this is serious."

"She's scared," Ethan defended, though his voice lacked conviction. "She's worried about losing her place in the family."

"That doesn't excuse what she did," Finley countered, his voice rising.

"This isn't some childish prank. "

"What would you have me do?" Ethan shot back. "Disown her? She's still our sister!"

"Send her to Europe," Finley said firmly.

"That exchange program in Paris, she's been talking about. Let her spend a semester there, away from all this. She needs a lesson before she makes a big mistake."

"I'll handle Daisy my way," Ethan said, his jaw set stubbornly.

"Daisy clearly doesn't want Audrey in our lives," Finley said, gesturing emphatically.

"Send her back to Chicago now, but then what? When we confirm Audrey is our sister, don't we need to take her back to her home in Chicago?"

Ethan fell silent, his shoulders slumping slightly.

"We don't... we don't even know for sure yet," he finally mumbled, though his voice lacked conviction.

"I've known Audrey for years too, Ethan," Finley said, his tone softening but still firm.

"The bond between us might not look like what you have with Daisy, but it doesn't mean it's any less real."

He took a step closer to his brother.

"I'm telling you right now—if you choose to favor Daisy over Audrey, I'll stand by Audrey's side every step of the way. "

The tension between them crackled like electricity.

Finally, Finley stalked off toward the hospital's outdoor terrace.

I hesitated, looking between Ethan's rigid posture and Finley's retreating back.

Ethan caught my glance and nodded slightly.

"Go," he said softly. "I'll wait here for Audrey."

I found Finley at the far end of the terrace, lighting a cigarette with shaking hands.

He rarely smoked—only when truly upset.

"He's being ridiculous," Finley said as I approached.

I leaned against the railing beside him, watching the smoke curl into the morning air.

"You're both right, in different ways," I said carefully.

"How is coddling her right?" Finley demanded.

"Ethan's been her protector since she was a child," I reminded him gently. "That's a hard role to step back from. This isn't easy for him."

Finley took a long drag from his cigarette, then exhaled slowly.

"I know," he admitted, his voice softening.

"But Daisy needs to learn that she can't just do whatever she wants and expect everyone to forgive her automatically. "

"I understand." I placed my hand over his on the railing.

"But remember, Audrey is coming here voluntarily now. Daisy's interference ultimately failed."

He nodded, some of the tension leaving his shoulders.

Then Finley pulled me gently into his arms, his expression softening.

"You and I finally found our way to each other. I just want the same for Audrey."

"She will," I assured him, resting my hand against his chest.

"Audrey's stronger than most people realize."

I glanced at my watch and stepped back slightly.

"We should probably head back inside. Audrey might be arriving soon."