Chapter 10 - THE UNEXPECTED TWISTOne month later, federal investigators finalized the forensic audit of Edmund Croft’s private digital vault—and uncovered a classified document that sent shockwaves far beyond the Croft family syndicate.
The document wasn't related to shipping routes, embezzlement, or corporate boardrooms. It was an encrypted medical dossier marked TOP SECRET / EYES ONLY, detailing the exact genetic history of the Croft family.
Julian sat alone in his private study at midnight, staring at the glowing monitor screen in absolute disbelief.
According to the DNA data recovered from Edmund’s private vault, Finn Croft was not actually Julian’s nephew.
He was Julian’s biological son.
Years ago, before Edmund’s jealousy poisoned their brotherhood, Edmund had intercepted and falsified adoption and surrogacy records to hide Finn’s true parentage from Julian, intending to use the boy as perpetual leverage against Julian’s corporate empire. Edmund hadn't just tried to steal the estate—he had tried to tear a father away from his own flesh and blood.
As Julian sat frozen in the dim light, processing the magnitude of the deception, a gentle weight pressed against his knee.
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He looked down. Briar was standing beside his desk, his massive black head resting against Julian’s leg, his dark, intelligent eyes glowing with an ancient, reassuring calm. The dog let out a low, steady exhale—the silent signal that meant: I am here. The past is dead. Look forward.
Julian reached down, burying his fingers deep into the thick, warm fur of the dog that had saved them all. Then, slowly, a cold and lethal smile crept across the mafia boss's face. Edmund was locked away in a federal penitentiary, thinking his game was over. But Julian knew the real game had only just begun—and anyone else who thought they could touch his family was about to learn why the Croft name was whispered with absolute terror across the global underworld.
