Chapter 13: The DNA Report That Changed Everything
“Who is my daughter's biological father?””
My voice barely sounded like my own.
Vanessa looked at Alexander, then at me.
“I don't know his identity. But I saw the original report.””
“Where?””
“In Richard's private office. He received it from Victor three weeks ago.””
I gripped the edge of the desk.
“Ethan is my husband. He is the father of my child.””
Vanessa shook her head.
“That's what I believed too. But Richard said the pregnancy was connected to an arrangement your mother made before she died.””
Alexander stepped forward.
“Stop speaking in riddles. What arrangement?””
Vanessa opened her laptop again.
“I copied a recording. Listen.””
A familiar voice filled the room.
Victor Sterling.
“The original agreement must remain intact. The child is the only person who can activate the dormant beneficiary provision.””
Richard answered.
“And Evelyn?””
“She knows nothing. Margaret made sure of that.””
“Then what happens when the baby is born?””
“Everything depends on the DNA confirmation.””
The recording ended.
Alexander stared at the screen.
“Dormant beneficiary provision?””
Vanessa nodded.
“Richard believes the baby has some connection to the original trust.””
I looked down at my stomach.
My daughter moved gently beneath my hand.
Whatever these people were planning, she was innocent.
And I would not allow anyone to turn her into another financial instrument.
“Vanessa, show me the report.””
She hesitated before opening another folder.
A scanned laboratory document appeared.
It contained my name, my date of birth, and the name of an unidentified male genetic contributor.
The conclusion was strange.
The report did not identify Ethan as the biological father.
Instead, it listed a relationship probability connecting the unborn child to a previously registered genetic profile.
The name attached to that profile was:
*ALEXANDER STERLING.*
I turned toward my brother.
He looked as shocked as I felt.
“What does this mean?””
Alexander studied the document.
“I've never met you before yesterday. I've certainly never been involved in anything that could make me your child's father.””
Vanessa quickly shook her head.
“Richard told Victor that Alexander's DNA profile was obtained years ago. He said the test would establish the child's connection to the original family line.””
I looked at the report again.
Then something occurred to me.
“Alexander, are you sure you're my biological twin?””
He nodded.
“Yes.””
“Then we share the same parents?””
“Yes.””
I stared at the document.
“Could this simply mean the baby shares our family DNA because you're my brother?””
Alexander's expression changed.
He took the report and examined the technical section.
“That's possible. But this isn't a standard paternity report.””
He pointed to a small note.
“The laboratory is testing for inherited markers associated with the Hayes family trust. They're not necessarily testing fatherhood.””
I exhaled.
So Richard had deliberately misrepresented the result.
He wanted the board to believe I had been unfaithful, hoping to destroy my credibility as chairwoman.
Vanessa nodded.
“That's what I think.””
I looked at her.
“Why would Victor go to so much trouble?””
She opened another document.
It was an old trust amendment.
My mother's signature appeared at the bottom.
The provision stated that a biological descendant of Margaret Hayes could inherit a dormant twenty-six-percent voting interest if certain succession conditions were satisfied.
My daughter was a direct descendant.
So was Alexander.
So was I.
But the next paragraph contained something unexpected.
The dormant shares would remain protected until the birth of the next generation.
I stared at the document.
“That's why they want the baby.””
Alexander nodded.
“Your daughter activates the provision.””
“And if Richard gets control before she's born?””
“He can attempt to redirect the shares.””
I looked toward the door.
“Then we need to stop him tonight.””
Vanessa closed her laptop.
“There's something else. Richard has arranged for the board to vote on your removal at nine-thirty.””
I checked the clock.
9:06 p.m.
We had twenty-four minutes.
I called Marcus.
“Prepare an emergency legal challenge to the DNA report. I want the original laboratory records preserved, and I want every board member informed that the report has been misrepresented.””
“Understood, Madam Chairwoman.””
“Also, nobody is to recognize Richard's authority over the remaining shares.””
“Already working on it.””
I ended the call.
Alexander picked up the USB drive.
“I'm coming with you.””
I nodded.
Vanessa stood.
“So am I.””
I looked at her.
“You could be arrested for your involvement in the financial transfers.””
“I know.””
“Then why come?””
She looked down.
“Because I helped hurt you. And I know what Richard is capable of.””
I studied her face.
For the first time, I didn't see the smiling woman from the gala.
I saw someone who had finally realized she had been useful to a monster.
“Then tell the truth,” I said.
We left the building.
As our car approached Caldwell Technologies, I saw the lights illuminating the upper floors.
A crowd of reporters had gathered outside.
Someone had leaked the story.
A giant screen in the lobby displayed a breaking headline:
*BILLION-DOLLAR CHAIRWOMAN FACES PATERNITY SCANDAL AS FAMILY CONTROL BATTLE ERUPTS.*
My phone rang.
Ethan.
I answered.
“Evelyn, please don't go inside.””
“Why?””
“Richard has something prepared for you.””
“What?””
His voice dropped.
“Your mother left another will.””
I stopped breathing.
“What are you talking about?””
“Richard just received it. And it names someone else as the rightful owner of the company.””
The call disconnected.
I looked at Alexander.
Then at the building.
Whatever awaited us inside, I knew one thing.
May you like
My mother had left one final secret.
And Richard was about to use it against me.
