Chapter 14 - SOLD
The word sounded impossible.
"You never told him that part?"
"Tell me."
Charles spoke quietly.
Claire Bennett refused Victor's settlement.
After Ethan was born, Victor arranged a private adoption.
Not legal.
Not clean.
A payment went to an intermediary.
Claire was told the baby died from respiratory failure.
Alexander felt sick.
The same lie.
Different woman.
Same father.
"What happened to Claire?"
"She died believing him."
"Where is Ethan?"
"Victor erased the trail."
Veronica dropped the photograph.
A toddler with dark hair and a serious face.
On the back:
ETHAN - 18 MONTHS.
Brooks recovered half-burned documents from the fireplace.
One name survived.
Miriam Cole.
A private adoption broker in Boston.
Still alive.
Still licensed as a family counselor.
Police found her the next morning.
Miriam denied illegal adoption.
Then Brooks showed her Victor's payment ledger.
She asked for a lawyer.
By evening, she gave them a sealed file.
Ethan had been placed with a couple named Aaron and Elise Ward.
They renamed him Evan.
Current age: eleven.
Current address: Providence.
Sofia climbed onto the chair beside him.
"Is he my uncle?"
"Technically."
"He's a kid."
"I know."
"That's weird."
"It is."
"Are you going to go get him?"
"No."
"Why?"
"Because he has parents. I don't get to walk into his life and claim him."
That answer felt important.
He would not repeat Victor's mistake in reverse.
He would offer truth.
Not ownership.
Then Hannah called.
"The Sterling board has scheduled an emergency vote."
"When?"
"Tomorrow morning."
"On what?"
"Removing you as CEO."
"Who called it?"
Hannah answered.
"Veronica."
"She's under arrest."
"She still owns proxies."
"Through whom?"
A pause.
"Martin Vale."
Even from custody, Veronica was trying to take the company.
May you like
Then Hannah added:
"If you lose tomorrow, the new board can settle with Ashford and challenge Sofia's trust."
