Chapter 5: The Falsified Truth
The grand dining room of Carter Manor felt like a courtroom.
William Carter sat at the head of the table.
Richard sat on the right, a smug, arrogant smile playing on his lips.
Victoria sat on the left, holding Lucas tightly against her side.
The boy looked terrified. He didn't understand why the adults were so angry.
The heavy wooden doors opened, and Dr. Aris walked in.
He looked pale. Sick. Sweating profusely.
He carried a sealed manila envelope.
“Well, Doctor?” Richard demanded, leaning forward. “Let’s put an end to this charade. Tell my father that this street rat is not his grandson.”
Victoria glared at her brother. “Say another word, Richard, and I’ll tear your tongue out.”
“Quiet,” William commanded. His voice echoed through the room. “Read the results, Doctor.”
Dr. Aris opened the envelope with trembling hands.
He couldn't look Victoria in the eye.
“The... the genetic markers have been analyzed,” the doctor stammered.
“And?” William pressed.
“The probability of maternity between Victoria Carter and the subject... is zero percent.”
The room dropped into absolute, suffocating silence.
Victoria stopped breathing.
“No,” she whispered. “No, that’s impossible. You’re lying!”
Richard slammed his hands on the table, standing up in triumph. “I told you! He’s a fake! Security, get this lying little brat out of my house!”
Guards began to step forward.
Lucas panicked. He grabbed Victoria’s arm, crying hysterically. “Mom! It’s me! Mom, please don’t let them take me back to the dark!”
Victoria jumped in front of the guards, her eyes wild like a protective lioness.
“Touch him and you die!” she screamed.
She turned to her father. “Dad, look at him! You know this is a lie! Someone tampered with the test!”
William looked at the sobbing boy. Then he looked at the sweating doctor.
Then, the old man did something unexpected.
He slowly stood up.
He walked over to Lucas.
He knelt down so he was eye-level with the crying child.
“If you are truly my grandson,” William said softly, “tell me something only the real Lucas would know. Something from five years ago. Before you were taken.”
The room held its breath.
Lucas sniffled, wiping his eyes. He looked at the old man’s face.
“You... you used to hide chocolate coins inside the grand piano,” Lucas whispered. “Because mom said I ate too much sugar. And you said it was our secret mission.”
William’s eyes instantly filled with tears.
He stood up and looked directly at Dr. Aris.
“I never told anyone that,” William growled. “Guards. Lock the doors. Nobody leaves. Call the police. This doctor is going to tell me exactly who paid him to fake this test.”
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Richard’s smug smile instantly vanished.
Panic set in. His plan was falling apart.
