Chapter 7 - DNA TEST SHOCKER: THE CLEANING WOMAN'S REAL HEIR IS NOT WHO YOU THINK!
The room went dead silent. The heavy air returned, thicker and more dangerous than before.
Eleanor stood up slowly, her hands trembling as she took the tablet from her assistant. On the screen were black-and-white bank records dating back two decades. The signature at the bottom of the multi-million-dollar wire transfer was unmistakably clear.
"Arthur Vance..." Eleanor whispered, her voice barely a breath. "My late husband's brother..."
"Your brother-in-law," Maya murmured, standing up beside her mother. "Uncle Arthur?"
"He didn't just kidnap you to hurt me," Eleanor realized, her mind racing as pieces of a giant, twisted puzzle began falling into place. "He wanted to break my spirit so I would hand over control of Vance Global to his branch of the family. And when he died five years ago... his son took over his secret operation."
Eleanor looked up, her eyes wide with sudden realization. "Julian... Julian isn't just a Mercer by birth. He was legally adopted by Arthur Vance's secret mistress! Julian is Arthur’s illegitimate son!"
"So this entire wedding..." Maya gasped, "it wasn't just about money or social climbing?"
"It was a trap," Eleanor said, her voice dropping into a terrifyingly low register. "Julian knew you survived the accident. He found out you were working in the hotel's service department. He intentionally hosted the wedding here today, intending to orchestrate an 'accidental' fire or disaster to eliminate both of us in one single blow!"
Before Eleanor could process the horror of the realization, her secure satellite phone began ringing violently. She pressed the speakerphone button.
A distorted, metallic voice echoed through the quiet room.
"Congratulations, Madam Chairwoman," the voice sneered over the speaker. "You broke my pawn, Julian. You destroyed the Sterlings. But you're still playing a game you don't understand."
"Who is this?" Eleanor demanded, her authority instantly flaring.
"Look out the window, Eleanor," the voice taunted softly. "Look at the plaza right below you."
May you like
Eleanor and Maya rushed to the floor-to-ceiling glass window overlooking the hotel's crowded courtyard. Down below, surrounded by media vans and police cars, a large black van was idling near the main fountain.
"You think you won today?" the voice chuckled darkly. "Check your bloodline database, Eleanor. The girl standing beside you... check her DNA profile again."
