Chapter 4 - The Thirty-Year Truth|
The DNA results were sent directly to Eleanor’s encrypted iPad just six hours later. It was a speed only unimaginable wealth and power could buy.
We sat in the sprawling private library, the fire from the grand hearth casting a warm glow over the oak-paneled walls. Eleanor placed the tablet down on the glass table.
“A 99.999% match,” she said, her voice trembling.
I stared at the glowing green text on the screen. Every wall I had built to protect myself shattered into dust. I actually had a family. A mother.
“But why?” My voice cracked as tears finally spilled over. “Why was I in an orphanage? Why did you abandon me?”
Eleanor closed her eyes tight. When she opened them, her deep blue eyes were blazing with a terrifying, murderous rage.
“I never abandoned you, Clara. Thirty years ago, when you were just two weeks old, a group of masked mercenaries broke into our coastal villa. Your father took a bullet meant for me and died on the spot. They took you.”
I froze, clutching my chest as the air was sucked from my lungs.
“The police, the FBI, international private military contractors... I tore the world apart looking for you,” Eleanor said bitterly. “They sent ransom notes, but then suddenly went dead silent. I thought you were gone forever. Until last month, a private investigator I’ve kept on retainer for decades stumbled upon your medical records during a prenatal checkup. You have a remarkably rare blood type and a genetic marker unique to the Sterling bloodline.”
She reached out and squeezed my hands tightly.
“I investigated everything about you, about that scumbag Julian. I planned to come to you sooner, but I needed time to gather a watertight legal arsenal to absolutely crush him. I didn't expect him to corner you in court today.”
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“He laughed,” I whispered, recalling the courtroom. “He was so proud of himself for throwing away someone he thought was worthless.”
“Do not concern yourself with an insect, my love,” Eleanor stood up, her silhouette tall, powerful, and ruthless. “From this day forward, you are Clara Sterling. The sole heir to a trillion-dollar empire. Anyone who has ever made you shed a tear will weep blood.”
