Chapter 4 - NINETY-NINE POINT NINE
The laboratory confirmed the test.
Veronica had ordered it six weeks earlier using a drinking glass from Alexander's office and a toothbrush taken from Sofia's bathroom.
The result was still on file.
Probability of paternity: 99.99%.
Alexander read the number in silence.
"Does that mean you're my dad?"
"Yes."
Then she asked, "Are you mad?"
The question destroyed him.
"No."
"Because Mom hid me?"
"No."
"Because I called you Daddy?"
"I'm mad that anyone made you afraid to say it."
Sofia started crying.
He did too.
Not because everything was fixed.
Because it wasn't.
Eight years could not be repaired in one hug.
Later, Hannah filed emergency documents recognizing Sofia and freezing any trust transfer tied to the wedding.
By sunset, Sterling Holdings' board knew.
By six, the Ashford family knew.
At 6:14, Alexander's phone rang.
Veronica's father, Charles Ashford.
"You are making a catastrophic mistake."
"Interesting opening."
"The girl's claim is unverified."
"I have a DNA test your daughter ordered."
Silence.
"Veronica panicked."
"She put my child on her knees."
"She was disciplining household staff."
"She's eight."
"Alexander, listen to me. The merger agreement assumes the trust transfer."
"There is no merger anymore."
"You can't cancel it."
"I just did."
Charles's voice became hard.
"Then you should know the company loan comes due if the merger fails."
"What loan?"
Another silence.
Then Charles said, "Ask your chief financial officer."
The call ended.
"My company doesn't have a merger-dependent loan."
"Are you sure?"
He was.
Until he opened the board portal.
A $240 million credit facility appeared.
Signed three months earlier.
May you like
His signature was on it.
Alexander had never seen the document.
