Chapter 6: Threads of Deception
The manor was heavy with an oppressive silence. The bags were packed. The children were sitting by the grand staircase, waiting for the driver to take them to a state-of-the-art boarding school Arthur had paid for—he couldn't bring himself to put them on the street, despite the test results.
Leo wouldn't look at him. The betrayal in the boy's eyes cut deeper than any knife.
"Mom didn't lie," Leo whispered to his shoes. "You're just like the rest of them."
Arthur retreated to his study, locking the door. He poured a glass of whiskey, his hands shaking. He looked at the DNA report on his desk. 0.0%.
He pulled out Elena's letter again, tracing her handwriting. Protect them, as you once promised to protect me.
Why would she lie on her deathbed? Why would she send them specifically to him?
Suddenly, his private line rang. It was David, his best friend and top corporate lawyer, whom Arthur had secretly tasked with investigating Elena's past.
"Arthur, you need to sit down," David said urgently. "I've been digging into the clinic that did your DNA test."
"Dr. Aris is independent, David. I picked him myself."
"You picked him, yes. But did you know his daughter was recently diagnosed with a rare spinal disease? The treatment costs three million dollars. Yesterday, an anonymous offshore shell company deposited exactly three million into his account."
Arthur’s blood turned to ice. "Who owns the shell company?"
"I traced the routing numbers through three different tax havens. It took my best hacker all night. Arthur... the IP address that authorized the transfer came from the Sterling Manor. From your mother's private network."
The whiskey glass shattered against the fireplace.
Eleanor. She had bought the doctor. She had rigged the test.
"David," Arthur’s voice was lethally calm. "I need you to come to the manor. Bring a trusted medical professional. Someone untraceable. And David? Find out exactly what happened to Elena six years ago. I want every bank statement, every medical record, every security footage."
Arthur walked out of the study and looked down the hallway. The driver was reaching for Leo's bags.
"Stop!" Arthur commanded, his voice echoing with absolute authority.
May you like
He walked down the stairs, ignoring his mother who was watching from the parlor. He knelt in front of Leo, taking the boy's small face in his hands.
"You're right," Arthur said, tears pricking his eyes. "Your mom didn't lie. Unpack your bags. You're home."
