Reclaimed By My Ex-husband-Chapter 279: Ian is Kelvin’s son

Chapter 279: Ian is Kelvin’s son
"What?" Nathaniel burst out, stunned. "Kelvin was caught?"
Roberto nodded grimly. "And they threatened to kill his only son."
"His son?" Nathaniel stared at him, baffled. He had always believed Kelvin was alone after losing his wife. The idea that he had a child—one Nathaniel had never known about—hit him hard.
"Yes," Roberto said. "Ian is his son."
"Ian?" Nathaniel’s shock deepened. "Ian is Kelvin’s son?"
Roberto’s expression darkened further. "I only uncovered it recently myself. They used Ian’s life to force Kelvin’s hand. To protect his son, Kelvin set everything up—he called you, made it seem like Zachary wanted a meeting. But it was a trap. They wanted you to hand over everything to Zachary... and then kill you."
A cold numbness washed over Nathaniel. His scalp tingled as disbelief twisted into something almost painful. People he trusted—people he counted on—had betrayed him, plotted to take his life.
"I tried calling to stop you," Roberto said. "You didn’t answer."
Nathaniel suddenly remembered the unknown call he had dismissed earlier. "That was you?"
Roberto nodded. "When you didn’t pick up, I rushed over. And then I saw your car wrecked on the roadside, and you unconscious. I took you away immediately."
So that was what happened.
Nathaniel finally understood how he had ended up in this tiny, rundown house. But one question still tormented him—who had been chasing him?
"When I was driving, someone was following me," he said slowly. "I didn’t see who."
"I don’t know either," Roberto replied. "It could’ve been one of Zachary’s people. I’ll look into it. But for now, you must stay here. Don’t contact anyone—not your family, not Ian. No one can know where you are."
"But my family is in danger," Nathaniel argued. "I have to talk to Zara. I need to leave."
"We will handle everything—but not yet," Roberto said firmly. "First, we deal with your enemies. I already have a plan."
Nathaniel studied him carefully. The determination in Roberto’s eyes was unmistakable. Whatever he had come up with, it was serious—and solid. After a moment, Nathaniel reluctantly nodded.
"What’s the plan?"
"Simple," Roberto replied, a sharp gleam in his eyes. "First, we end Riya’s schemes. Then we expose Zachary." He pulled out his phone and handed it to Nathaniel. "I was at the engagement party. Look at what I recorded."
Nathaniel’s jaw tightened as he watched the video—the moment Riya shoved Gracie down the stairs.
"Zachary was there for a business deal," Roberto explained. "I was tailing him. But I stumbled on Madam Gracie arguing with Riya... and I started recording."
"I knew it," Nathaniel growled, teeth clenched. "I knew she had a hand in what happened to Mom." His grip on the phone tightened until his knuckles hurt. "She pushed her, then poisoned her. And to hide her crime, she’s willing to let her die. She deserves the worst."
"Exactly. And it’ll be interesting," Roberto added with a dark smirk, "if her precious boyfriend—her so-called protector—is the one who punishes her."
Nathaniel shot him a wary look. "What are you thinking?"
"This video is enough leverage to make her do anything," Roberto said coldly. "Even broke into Zachary’s safe. And you know how Zachary reacts to betrayal. He’ll kill her himself."
However, Nathaniel didn’t think it would be that easy. "Don’t underestimate Riya. She is vile and manipulative and can lie effortlessly. She will find a way out."
"Not this time. Trust me. I’ve been waiting for this moment since that night. Now is the right time."
Nathaniel nodded, believing they could trap Riya this time. "Let’s do it."
~~~~~~~~
The moment the call ended, Zachary grabbed Kelvin by the arm and spun him around. "Where is Nathaniel?" he snarled. "Why didn’t he show up?"
Kelvin stared at the phone in his hand, visibly uneasy. "I don’t know. He suddenly disappeared."
"Disappeared?" Zachary’s expression twisted with suspicion. "How can he just vanish? He is not a child who’d wander off. He must have found out something." His eyes narrowed. "Or perhaps you told your son. Is that it?"
He yanked Kelvin by the collar. "You realize I can kill both you and your precious boy in an instant?"
"I didn’t tell anyone anything!" Kelvin snapped, pushing Zachary’s hands away. "You locked me in a cell, took my phone, and kept guards on me at all times. How could I possibly contact someone? I followed every order you gave."
Zachary stilled, his scowl deepening. Kelvin had a point. Ever since catching him spying, Zachary had kept him imprisoned and threatened Ian’s life to force Kelvin’s cooperation. There was no opportunity—no way Kelvin could have leaked anything.
So why didn’t Nathaniel show up?
He had been so close. So close to achieving what he had waited years for—to seize everything the Grants owned and finally take his revenge.
But the plan had collapsed.
Nathaniel had not shown up. Where could he be? Where did he go while his mother was still at the hospital?
The questions churned in his head, leaving him irritated and unsettled. Then a possibility crossed his mind—one that strangely eased his anxiety.
He quirked his lips as he thought, ’I don’t know why he has not come. Maybe he is planning something against me. But how long can he hide? When his family and business are in danger, he will appear anyway.’
With determination sparkling in his eyes, he strode away, pressing his phone to his ear. "Find out where Nathaniel is," he said as the call connected. "I want all the information about him, especially what he has done since our last call."
~~~~~~~~~~
Riya swept into Zara’s office with bold, unshakable confidence, carrying herself as though she owned the entire place.
"Hold it right there!" Bree’s sharp voice sliced through the air, stopping Riya mid-stride. "Where do you think you are barging in? You are not allowed in here."
Riya winced dramatically, rubbing her ear. "God, your voice is grating."
"Get out," Bree snapped, jabbing a finger toward the door.
But Riya didn’t budge. "You don’t get to order me around. I’m here to see Zara."
"I’m the general manager," Bree shot back. "I can throw you out. Leave before I call security."
Riya let out a short, mocking laugh. "Do as you please. I’m not going anywhere." Ignoring Bree completely, she marched straight toward Zara’s office.
"Hey. Stop," Bree yelled, chasing after her, but Riya was already inside.
Zara’s eyes shot up, irritation flashing across her face.
"Sorry, Zara," Bree said quickly. "I tried to keep her out, but she just—"
Zara raised a hand to silence her. "Go handle your work."
Bree shot Riya a burning glare. Riya answered with a smug, taunting smile, making Bree’s blood boil. With clenched fists and no choice, Bree left.
"Have you no shame?" Zara hissed the moment they were alone. "You still dared to come here? Are you that desperate to embarrass yourself?"
Riya remained unfazed. "Oh, I can practically taste your frustration," she said lazily. "You rushed to the hospital, hoping to expose me. And look how that turned out. No one believed you. If Liam hadn’t stepped in, you would have been the one behind bars."
Zara’s fists tightened on the table. She knew she had been impulsive that morning, and it had gotten her nowhere. Once again, Riya had twisted the truth and turned everyone against her. But this wasn’t over. Zara was certain Riya’s web of lies would eventually unravel.
"Don’t get too confident," Zara warned. "The truth will come out."
"Really? And who is going to expose me? You?" Riya sneered. "Or your new hero, Liam?"
She settled comfortably into the chair opposite Zara. "Without the antidote, that old woman isn’t getting better. And the drug’s name is still a secret. Even if Nathaniel brings in the world’s best doctors, they won’t fix this. At most, they’ll pull her from the coma, but she’ll remain paralyzed."
"You are disgusting," Zara snapped. "You are ready to tear apart the very family that raised you, sheltered you, and gave you everything. You’ll never know peace after this."
"Shut your mouth," Riya shot back. "Everything is your fault. Nathaniel never wanted you. He was going to divorce you ages ago, but you clung to him, seduced him, dragged things out. If you had stepped aside sooner, none of this would’ve happened. You kept provoking me. Now you are seeing exactly what I’m capable of to reach my goal. And if you don’t stay out of this family’s matters, I’ll go after that little boy."
"No." Zara’s heart plummeted. The thought of Zane being in danger made her blood run cold. "You won’t touch him."
"No promises," Riya replied lightly. "That depends on how obedient you are. Stay away from the Grants. Stop fighting me. You’ll never be able to prove anything."
Zara’s fury snapped loose. Before she could think, she snatched the glass of water and flung it straight at Riya.
Riya let out a shocked cry as she shot to her feet, water streaming down her face and soaking her clothes. "What the hell is this?" she shouted, swiping angrily at the droplets. "Are you insane?"
"You are the one who keeps pushing me," Zara roared, standing as well. "You have always looked for reasons to provoke me, trap me, slander me. Until now, I held back because of the Grants—because Mom and Dad love you. But you destroyed that protection yourself. And now that I’m no longer part of that family, I don’t care what they think."
She advanced slowly, each step deliberate, her gaze ice-cold. Riya’s breath hitched. She had never seen Zara look like this before, furious and frighteningly intent, as if she wanted nothing more than to spill blood. Her blood.
"Don’t come any closer," Riya warned, backing away.
Zara’s fingers tightened around the pencil she had picked up. "You walked into my office to cause trouble. If I injure you and claim self-defense, who would doubt me? Everyone here knows your hostility toward me. They’ll believe every word I say."
In the next moment, Zara shoved her back into the chair, pressing a hand hard against Riya’s chest as she brought the pencil to her throat.