Chapter 6 - The Blood Test
The grand library of the Vance estate felt more like a court of law than a room in a home. Heavy mahogany shelves lined with leather-bound books towered over a massive central table where five men and women in high-end business attire sat waiting.
Among them sat Arthur Vance, Daniel’s uncle and the current chairman of the board—a stern, grey-haired man whose expression remained utterly devoid of emotion.
When Emily walked in alongside Daniel, the room fell into a tense hush. She was no longer wearing her maid's uniform; Daniel had arranged for a simple, elegant dark blue dress for her. Yet, the way the board members eyed her made her feel completely exposed.
"So this is the girl," Arthur said, his voice deep and raspy. He didn't offer a greeting, nor did he ask her to sit. "The maid who claims to be Katherine's daughter."
"She isn't claiming anything, Uncle," Daniel said smoothly, taking a seat at the head of the table and pulling a chair out for Emily. "The physical evidence—the birthmark and the continuous timeline of her adoption records—already matches. Today is merely a formality for the board's legal peace of mind."
A woman in a crisp white lab coat stood near a portable medical kit. Dr. Aris, a renowned forensic geneticist, stepped forward with a sealed kit.
"We will be conducting a rapid dual-marker DNA sequence using reference samples from the late Katherine Vance’s preserved medical records," Dr. Aris explained cleanly. "Results will take approximately two hours."
"And what happens during those two hours?" Arthur asked, leaning back, his sharp eyes locking onto Emily. "If this test comes back positive, this young woman automatically becomes the owner of thirty-five percent of Vance Enterprises voting shares. Shares that have been frozen for two decades."
"And if it comes back negative," a harsh voice called out from the doorway, "she goes straight to jail for identity fraud and grand theft."
Everyone turned. Margaret stood at the entrance, accompanied by Vanessa, who looked surprisingly composed compared to the night before. Vanessa’s left eye was slightly puffy from crying, but her posture was rigid, cold, and arrogant once more.
"You have no standing in this room, Margaret," Daniel said coldly.
"I have every right to be here as the executor of my late husband's contingent trust!" Margaret snapped, stepping into the library. "We filed a formal motion this morning challenging the validity of the CCTV footage played last night."
May you like
Emily’s heart sank. "What?"
Vanessa smiled, a cruel, mocking curve of her lips. "The footage was tampered with," Vanessa said smoothly. "My mother's lawyers have already submitted an expert affidavit claiming the video was a digital deepfake created by Daniel to push us out of the company."
