Chapter 12 - BURNING THE EMPIRE
Security stopped Conrad before he reached Nathan.
The boardroom erupted.
Two directors demanded the video be sealed.
“Every Mercer-related transaction is frozen.”
“You can’t do that without a vote.”
“Can I?”
“The descendant trust gives the presumptive heir’s guardian temporary protective authority when fraud threatens the asset base.”
“Guardian?”
“You.”
“Until paternity and custody are legally established, Lily’s sole recognized parent is Grace Bennett.”
Conrad’s face twisted.
“So the maid controls billions?”
“No.”
“I control my child.”
The distinction was everything.
Detective Ellis entered with two officers.
“Victoria Mercer.”
“You’re under arrest for aggravated assault, conspiracy, evidence tampering, and unlawful restraint.”
Conrad shouted, “She says nothing.”
“Good advice. You should take it too.”
“You’re destroying your father’s company.”
Nathan said, “No.”
He glanced at Grace and Lily.
“I’m finding out what survives without the lies.”
Victoria was led away.
Conrad remained free for the moment.
“You think this ends with an arrest?”
“No.”
“You think a little girl makes you powerful?”
Nathan’s face hardened.
“She makes me responsible.”
“Then watch how expensive responsibility becomes.”
That afternoon Cole-Mercer stock dropped thirty-one percent.
Banks suspended financing.
Three projects stopped.
Nathan’s net worth fell by hundreds of millions on paper.
The DNA test came back at 6:42 p.m.
Lily colored on the floor.
“She’s mine.”
“Are you really my daddy?”
“Yes.”
She thought about it.
“Do I have to call you that?”
“No.”
“What do I call you?”
“Nathan is okay.”
“Okay, Nathan.”
Then Hale’s assistant rushed in.
“You need to see the news.”
The screen showed breaking footage.
Conrad Mercer at a press conference.
May you like
Beside him stood Nathan’s mother.
And she said Grace had lied about everything.
