Chapter 11: The DNA Test That Changed Everything
James approached Sophie slowly.
He carried no briefcase, no documents, and no visible weapon.
He didn't need any of them.
He had spent years controlling people through fear, money, and carefully constructed lies.
Now he was using something far more powerful.
Family.
"Sophie," he said gently.
"I've been waiting a long time for this moment.""
She stared at him.
"Are you my father?""
James looked toward Vanessa.
Then back at Sophie.
"Yes.""
My mother stepped forward.
"Don't listen to him.""
James sighed.
"Eleanor, must you ruin everything?""
"You stole my daughter.""
"I gave her a life.""
"You gave her a false identity!""
Sophie looked between them.
"Stop!""
Her voice cracked.
"Both of you. Just stop.""
I moved beside her.
"Sophie, you don't have to believe anything until we've verified it.""
James gave a quiet laugh.
"Still pretending to be the reasonable one, Marcus?""
I ignored him.
"That DNA report needs independent verification.""
James held out his hands.
"Of course. I'll happily provide another sample.""
I examined the document.
The laboratory was located in another state.
The report carried an official seal.
But the patient identification number was missing.
I turned toward Vanessa.
"Who ordered this test?""
She answered too quickly.
"An independent legal representative.""
"Who?""
"I don't recall.""
"Then you won't mind if we contact the laboratory.""
James stepped closer.
"You're wasting time. Sophie deserves to know who her father is.""
I looked at him.
"Then let's ask the laboratory.""
Emily was already typing.
"Mr. Carter, I found the testing company.""
She turned her laptop around.
"The company was dissolved eight months ago.""
James's smile disappeared.
I looked at Sophie.
"That's your first answer.""
She shook her head.
"No. I need more than that.""
James reached for her hand.
She pulled away.
"Don't touch me.""
His expression hardened.
For the first time, the gentle uncle act disappeared.
"You're making a mistake, Sophie.""
"Then explain the DNA test.""
"Your mother has manipulated you.""
My mother began crying.
"I never wanted you to grow up without me.""
Sophie turned toward her.
"Then why did you leave?""
My mother opened her mouth.
No answer came.
James seized the opportunity.
"Because she chose money over her children.""
I stepped between them.
"Enough.""
James looked at me.
"Your father made the same mistake. He thought he could control everything with his money and his name.""
"And you thought you could control everyone with lies.""
His eyes narrowed.
"Be careful, nephew.""
I smiled.
"That's the second time someone has said that to me today.""
I turned toward Emily.
"Can you access the company's archived personnel records?""
"Yes.""
"Find Sophie's original adoption file.""
James moved immediately.
"That file is sealed.""
I looked at him.
"Why?""
"Because it contains confidential family information.""
"Then you won't mind explaining why you know what's inside.""
He said nothing.
Emily typed rapidly.
After several minutes, she looked up.
"Mr. Carter, I found something.""
She projected a scanned document onto the main screen.
It was a birth registration certificate.
Sophie's name appeared at the top.
The mother's name was Eleanor Carter.
The father's name was blank.
I stared at the page.
"Where's the original?""
Emily opened another attachment.
A second document appeared.
This one had been amended.
The father's name was listed as James Carter.
But the amendment date was eleven years after Sophie's birth.
Sophie stared at it.
"Who changed this?""
Emily zoomed in.
The authorization signature belonged to a government registrar.
But the request had been submitted by a private legal office.
A familiar name appeared at the bottom.
Richard Hale.
I turned toward James.
"Richard submitted the amendment?""
James's expression remained unreadable.
"Richard handled a lot of administrative matters.""
"Why?""
"Ask him.""
I took out my phone and called Richard.
He answered immediately.
"Marcus?""
"Did you alter Sophie's birth certificate?""
Silence.
"Richard?""
His voice dropped.
"Where are you?""
"Conference Room A.""
"Get Sophie out of there.""
"Answer my question.""
He exhaled.
"Yes.""
My stomach tightened.
"Why?""
"Because James paid me to change it.""
Sophie covered her mouth.
Richard continued.
"But I have something you need to understand. James isn't Sophie's biological father.""
James turned toward the phone.
"Richard, shut your mouth.""
Richard ignored him.
"The DNA report was fabricated. The sample belonged to someone else.""
"Whose sample?""
Richard took a breath.
"Mine.""
The room erupted in whispers.
I looked at the phone.
"What?""
"James wanted a report proving he was the father. I gave them my sample. They altered the paperwork.""
Sophie stepped closer.
"Why would you do that?""
Richard's voice broke.
"Because James threatened my daughter.""
I closed my eyes.
Another family destroyed by the same man.
"Richard, where are you?""
"At my house.""
"Stay there. We're coming.""
"No, Marcus. You don't understand. I found something in the original company archive. Something your father hid.""
"What?""
"A recording of the night he died.""
I looked at my mother.
She went completely still.
Richard continued.
"It shows who entered the study after Eleanor left.""
"Who?""
He whispered:
"James.""
The call suddenly became muffled.
I heard a struggle.
Then a crash.
"Richard?""
A man's voice came through.
"Hello, Marcus.""
James was standing directly in front of me.
But the voice on the phone was also James.
I looked at the screen.
The call was still connected.
Then the man on the other end laughed.
"Your friend Richard won't be answering any more questions.""
The line went dead.
I stared at James.
"How many people are you going to hurt?""
He leaned closer.
"As many as necessary.""
David moved toward him.
James raised one hand.
Two security officers entered behind him.
They were carrying weapons.
Vanessa quickly stepped away from the table.
James looked around the room.
"Now, everyone, let's calm down.""
He picked up the blue ledger.
"Marcus, you're going to transfer control of Carter Global to me. Sophie will come with me. And Eleanor...""
He turned toward my mother.
"You will finally stop interfering.""
Sophie suddenly stepped forward.
"No.""
James looked surprised.
She wiped her tears.
"I'm not going anywhere with you.""
He smiled coldly.
"You're my daughter.""
Sophie looked directly into his eyes.
"No. I'm a person. And you don't own me.""
For a moment, James said nothing.
Then he nodded to the guards.
"Take her.""
David moved first.
May you like
The room exploded into chaos.
And in the confusion, Vanessa grabbed the blue ledger and ran through the side door.
