Chapter 13 - THE OTHER CHILD
Alexander did not believe Charles.
Then Charles gave him a name.
Ethan Sterling.
Born eleven years earlier.
Mother: Claire Bennett.
Alexander remembered Claire.
His father's executive assistant.
Victor told everyone she stole money.
Charles said she had been pregnant with Victor's child.
"My brother."
"Half brother."
"Where is he?"
"I don't know."
Victor built the marriage pact partly because an unrecognized child could fracture Sterling voting control.
The Ashfords agreed to keep claims buried.
Lucia discovered references to Ethan while investigating Sofia's trust.
"Did Veronica know?"
"Yes."
"How much did she know?"
"Everything I knew."
"Then why tell me now?"
"Because Peter is in custody and Veronica is destroying our family."
"Your family did that years ago."
They drove to Vermont with Brooks and state police.
The lodge had been unused for years.
But smoke rose from the chimney.
The door was unlocked.
Inside, they found Veronica.
Alone.
"Don't come closer."
Alexander saw flames.
She was burning documents.
Brooks raised her weapon.
"Step away."
"Do you know what your father did to keep that company intact?"
Alexander said, "I'm learning."
"You think Sofia makes you noble now?"
"No."
"You'll lose control."
"Then I lose control."
That answer unsettled her.
She threw another page into the fire.
Alexander saw Victor's signature.
Then a boy's photograph fell from the stack.
Brooks shouted.
Alexander said, "Give me the picture."
"For what? Another lost child to save?"
"Maybe."
Her face twisted.
"You were supposed to marry me."
"No."
"Our families built this."
"Our families built a cage."
May you like
Then whispered, "Your father didn't hide Ethan."
"He sold him."
