Chapter 8 - The Heir Who Was Never BornThomas Mercer had planned his empire around a child.
The original will was hidden in the family vault.
I had never seen it.
My father had told us the old will had been destroyed years ago.
He had lied.
We found the vault beneath the garage.
Inside was a metal safe.
Rebecca had the code.
The safe opened.
There was one document.
My father's final will.
I read it.
The first pages contained the usual language.
Property.
Shares.
Trusts.
Foundation assets.
Then I reached the final provision.
To my first biological heir, born of my bloodline, I leave controlling interest in Mercer Development Group and all associated holdings.
I looked at Rebecca.
“My father had three sons.”
“Only one of you was named.”
“Which one?”
She pointed.
The name was blacked out.
Not typed.
Burned.
Someone had physically destroyed it.
“Why?”
“Because whoever removed the name wanted the identity hidden.”
Then I noticed a second document underneath.
A clinic record.
Patient:
Elizabeth Mercer.
My mother.
Treatment:
Embryo transfer.
Biological donor:
Daniel Thomas Mercer.
I couldn't breathe.
Rebecca took the file.
“Daniel.”
I shook my head.
“No.”
“The records are real.”
“My father used my genetic material without my knowledge.”
“He used your mother's.”
“Why?”
“Because he was trying to create a bloodline he could control.”
I turned toward the vault wall.
“And Lucy?”
“Part of it.”
“But she's not the heir.”
“No.”
“Then who is?”
Rebecca didn't answer.
A phone rang.
Mine.
Unknown number.
I answered.
“Mr. Mercer?”
A man's voice.
“Your brother is alive.”
“Where?”
“You have until midnight.”
“What do you want?”
“The will.”
“I have it.”
“Good.”
“You've taken a child.”
Silence.
Then:
“We haven't taken Lucy.”
I froze.
“What?”
“Ask yourself why everyone has been chasing her.”
The line went dead.
Rebecca looked at me.
I slowly lowered the phone.
“What did he say?”
“He said they didn't take Lucy.”
Rebecca's face changed.
“Then where is she?”
A sound came from behind us.
The vault door.
May you like
It was closing.
Someone had locked us inside.
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