Chapter 5 - Grant Ordered the DNA Test
Grant hated himself for even considering it.
But he needed certainty.
He ordered a legally documented DNA test.
His sample.
Noah's sample.
Forty-eight hours later, the physician handed him the result.
Probability of paternity:
99.9998%.
Grant exhaled.
Noah was his biological son.
Tessa looked relieved.
“Then what did Vivienne mean?”
Grant didn't know.
David Shaw did.
He had continued Caroline's investigation.
“Identity doesn't always mean paternity.”
Shaw produced Mercer family trust documents.
Grant's grandfather had established a protected inheritance branch for the first biological grandchild born to Grant.
Noah qualified.
That wasn't surprising.
What was surprising was its size.
Twenty-two percent of Mercer Development voting shares.
Grant stared.
“My father controls those shares.”
“Temporarily.”
Shaw nodded toward the document.
“Until Noah's beneficiary status is formally activated.”
“Why hasn't it been?”
“Because someone filed a notice disputing Noah's eligibility.”
Grant went still.
“Who?”
The filing was confidential.
But its supporting attorney had represented Cross Advisory.
Vivienne.
Grant finally understood part of it.
Vivienne wasn't questioning whether Noah was Grant's son because she believed he wasn't.
She needed legal uncertainty around his identity to delay transfer of the shares.
“Why?”
Shaw opened financial records.
During the delay, millions in trust-controlled development contracts had gone to companies connected to Vivienne.
But she wasn't the largest beneficiary.
Grant's eyes narrowed.
“Who is?”
Shaw turned the page.
MERCER CAPITAL MANAGEMENT.
Grant stared at the name.
His father's company.
Charles Mercer.
Grant sat back.
“No.”
His father adored Noah.
Or appeared to.
Shaw remained cautious.
“These records don't prove Charles knows about fraud.”
“Then who controls the account?”
“That is what Caroline was trying to establish.”
Grant looked at his sleeping son.
Vivienne's statement suddenly had another meaning.
If Grant discovered who Noah “really was,” perhaps she meant legally.
Not whose blood he carried.
Whose shares he controlled.
Grant's phone rang.
His father.
Grant answered normally.
“Dad.”
“Is Noah okay?”
Grant frowned.
“How did you know something happened?”
Silence.
Grant had told no family members.
Charles recovered quickly.
“Vivienne called me.”
Grant looked at Tessa.
“Why?”
“She was upset.”
“About what?”
Another pause.
Then Charles said something Grant hadn't mentioned.
“She said the vase breaking was an accident.”
Grant's expression changed.
He had never told Charles about a vase.
Vivienne had called his father immediately after attacking Tessa.
The two of them were already communicating.
Grant's voice remained calm.
“Come over tomorrow.”
“Why?”
“I found something Caroline left behind.”
Silence.
Grant heard his father breathe.
Then:
“What did she leave?”
May you like
That was all Grant needed.
Charles Mercer was afraid of Caroline's evidence too.
