Chapter 8: The Secret of the Sterling Bloodline
William spent the night reading every document Isabella had left behind.
By sunrise, he understood one thing.
The enemy had not been trying to destroy Ethan.
Not originally.
They had been trying to replace him.
The realization came from a single medical document.
A DNA test.
William stared at the results.
Then he looked at Ethan sleeping peacefully on the couch.
His son.
His only child.
The test confirmed what William already knew.
Ethan was his.
But another name appeared in the documents.
Another child.
Another attempt.
Emma entered the room holding coffee.
“You haven’t slept.””
William didn’t look away.
“She was planning a replacement heir.””
Emma stopped.
“What?””
William handed her the papers.
“She created a fake pregnancy record.””
Emma read silently.
Her expression changed.
“She wanted people to believe she had another child?””
William nodded.
“But why?””
Before Emma could answer, the front door opened.
A woman stepped inside.
She looked exhausted.
Terrified.
“Mr. Sterling?””
Security moved immediately.
William raised his hand.
“Who are you?””
The woman held out an envelope.
“My name is Clara Whitmore.””
William froze.
“Daniel’s sister?””
She nodded.
“I know what Isabella did.””
William stared.
“Why should I trust you?””
“Because I was the one who tried to stop her.””
Clara looked toward Ethan.
Her eyes filled with sadness.
“I’m sorry I was too late.””
Clara explained everything.
Daniel and Isabella had met years before.
They discovered an old family clause hidden in Sterling inheritance documents.
If William died without a legitimate heir, control of the company would temporarily pass to a family trust.
But if Ethan disappeared, Isabella could challenge the inheritance.
The plan was simple.
Remove Ethan.
Create a false heir.
Control everything.
William listened silently.
“How did you find out?””
Clara looked down.
“Daniel told me.””
“Daniel?””
“He regretted helping her.””
William laughed bitterly.
“Regret doesn’t bring back my son’s childhood.””
“No.””
Clara nodded.
“But guilt made him turn against her.””
William remembered the letter.
“The letter.””
He pulled it out.
Clara saw it.
Her face changed.
“That’s Daniel’s handwriting.””
William opened the second page.
This time there was a message.
**William, if you are reading this, I failed to protect Ethan. Isabella knows I betrayed her. She will come after me next.
But there is something you must know. The person controlling Isabella is not me.**
William looked up.
“What?””
Clara whispered:
“There was someone else.””
A cold feeling moved through the room.
Someone above Isabella.
Someone who had been hidden.
William read the final line.
*The person who started this plan has always been inside the Sterling family.*
Suddenly, Ethan woke.
“Daddy?””
William immediately hid the papers.
“I’m here.””
The boy looked toward Clara.
“Who is she?””
William smiled gently.
“A friend.””
Ethan studied her.
Then quietly said:
“She smells like the man from the wall.””
Everyone froze.
William turned.
“What man?””
Ethan pointed at Clara.
“The man who helped Isabella.””
Clara’s face went pale.
“No.””
William stepped forward.
“Ethan, are you sure?””
The boy nodded.
“She was there.””
Clara backed away.
“I didn’t—”
Her sentence stopped.
Because everyone heard it.
A sound from upstairs.
May you like
A door closing.
Someone else was in the mansion.
