Chapter 5 - THE DNA REPORT
Arthur spent the night staring at the ceiling.
The question Elena had raised was impossible to ignore.
Was his son really his?
He hated himself for even thinking it.
The child was innocent.
None of this was his fault.
By morning, Arthur had made a decision.
He would get a DNA test.
Not because he wanted to reject his son.
Because he needed the truth before someone else used the truth against them.
Daniel arranged for a private, legal test.
Maria stayed with the child while Arthur and Daniel went to the clinic.
Elena refused to participate.
That worried Arthur.
"If you're telling the truth, why won't you take the test?"
"Because the result won't change what I did."
Arthur looked at her.
"That sounds like an admission."
Elena said nothing.
Three days later, the report arrived.
Arthur opened the envelope.
He read the first line.
Then he sat down.
Daniel took the report.
The child was Arthur's.
There was no doubt.
Arthur closed his eyes.
Relief came first.
Then anger.
Elena had used a lie to create fear.
But the report contained another surprise.
A note from the laboratory stated that the sample used in a previous test, apparently commissioned months earlier, had been tampered with.
Arthur stared at Daniel.
"Someone already tested my son."
Daniel nodded.
"And someone wanted the result to say he wasn't yours."
Arthur finally understood.
If everyone believed the child was not Arthur's, the trust could potentially be challenged.
The scheme was bigger than stealing money.
Someone wanted legal control over the inheritance.
That afternoon, a detective arrived.
She placed photographs on the table.
"We found Victor Hale."
Arthur looked up.
"Where?"
"Dead."
Elena covered her mouth.
The detective continued.
"He was found in a hotel room two nights ago."
Arthur felt a chill.
"Then who is behind this?"
"We don't know."
The detective pushed another photograph forward.
Victor had been carrying a notebook.
On one page was Arthur's name.
On another was Elena's.
And below both names was one word.
MERCER.
Arthur slowly looked at Daniel.
Daniel's face was unreadable.
"You think I did this?"
"I don't know what to think anymore."
Daniel stood.
"I understand."
He walked toward the door.
Arthur stopped him.
"Don't leave."
Daniel turned.
"Why?"
"Because my father trusted you."
Daniel's eyes softened.
"And I intend to prove that trust was deserved."
Then the detective's phone rang.
She answered.
Her expression changed.
"Another development."
"What?"
"The storage facility was opened this morning."
"By whom?"
The detective looked at Arthur.
May you like
"Using your fingerprint."
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