Chapter 17 - THE DNA RESULTClaire arranged a legal DNA comparison using preserved biological material from William Carter's estate.
Ryan barely spoke while they waited.
Three days later, Claire called them into her office.
The report was lying face down on the desk.
Ryan refused to touch it.
Emily turned it over.
Probability of biological parentage: 99.98%.
William Carter was Ryan's biological father.
Daniel's document was false.
Ryan exhaled sharply.
But Claire wasn't smiling.
“The signature from Ryan's mother appears authentic.”
Emily frowned.
“How can the document be fake if her signature is real?”
“Someone likely obtained her signature from another document and transferred it.”
Ryan immediately understood.
“Who had access?”
“Family attorneys. Estate lawyers.”
“And Steven.”
Claire nodded.
Then her assistant rushed inside holding a phone.
“It's already online.”
A news article had been published minutes earlier.
Emily read the headline:
CARTER HEIR ACCUSED OF FABRICATING PATERNITY CLAIM FOR $4.2 MILLION TRUST
Underneath was a photograph.
Ryan.
Emily.
And Noah.
Emily's blood ran cold.
The story contained details that only a handful of people knew.
Ryan whispered:
“Daniel leaked it.”
Claire shook her head.
“Maybe.”
She enlarged the article.
“But look who the reporter says provided the documents.”
Emily read the source.
An attorney formerly connected to the Carter family.
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Steven Maddox wasn't missing anymore.
He was talking.
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