Chapter 4: The Doubt And The Doctor
The press conference was a circus.
Dozens of microphones were shoved into Richard’s face as he stood on the steps of the courthouse.
“My sister Sophia is innocent,” Richard declared, looking directly into the cameras.
“And we have reason to believe the child currently residing in Carter Manor is a highly trained imposter, planted by rival corporate enemies to seize control of my father’s empire.”
The journalists erupted into chaotic shouting.
Inside the mansion, Victoria threw her coffee mug at the television screen.
It shattered into a hundred pieces.
“He’s a monster!” she screamed.
William Carter sat quietly in his armchair. His face was unreadable.
“Victoria,” the old man said softly. “Richard has filed a legal injunction. He is freezing all family assets until a court-ordered DNA test is completed.”
“He is my son!” Victoria cried out. “Look at him, Dad! He has my eyes. He has James’s smile!”
“I know he is,” William replied, his voice heavy. “But the board of directors is panicking. The stock is plummeting. We have to do the test. To silence Richard forever.”
Victoria hated it. But she knew her father was right.
That afternoon, a highly respected, independent medical team arrived at the manor.
They took a blood sample from Victoria.
They took a cheek swab from Lucas.
The lead doctor, Dr. Aris, assured them the results would be expedited. “You will have the official documents by tomorrow evening, Mrs. Carter.”
But what Victoria didn’t know was that Dr. Aris had a massive gambling debt.
And later that night, as the doctor carried the samples to his secure lab, a black SUV cut him off in the parking lot.
Two men stepped out.
One had a long scar down his face.
Marcus grabbed the doctor by the throat and slammed him against the vehicle.
“You have a choice, doc,” Marcus whispered, pressing the barrel of a gun against the man’s ribs.
“You can swap the kid’s DNA sample with this one I brought... or you can die right here in the rain.”
The doctor trembled, tears falling down his face.
He took the fake vial.
The trap was set.
If the DNA test came back negative, Victoria would lose all legal custody.
Lucas would be thrown into the foster system.
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And Richard would finally have the power to destroy them both.
The clock was ticking toward midnight.
