Plot

Chapter 6 - A Mother’s Trap

By 7:00 AM the following morning, Marcus returned to the penthouse with certified laboratory results bearing the golden seal of the Illinois Forensic Science Bureau.

Probability of Paternity: 99.999% for Ethan Carter, Sophie Carter, and Lucas Carter.

Sebastian held the sheets of paper in his hands, his fingers shaking so violently the pages fluttered. He read the numbers over and over, tracing the names of his children as silent tears fell onto the ink.

“They’re mine,” he choked out, looking up at me. “They’re really mine.”

“They were always yours, Sebastian,” I said softly. “You just weren't there to hold them.”

Before he could speak, his phone rang on the desk. The caller ID flashed: Olivia Bennett.

Sebastian took a slow, deep breath, wiping his face before answering on speakerphone. “Yes, Olivia?”

“Sebastian, darling!” Olivia’s voice chimed with sickening cheer. “Thank goodness you answered. I was so worried about you last night! Listen, sweetie, tonight is the annual Cartier Charity Gala at the Palmer House. The governor is attending, along with all the major foundation donors. We need to present a united front to shut down these awful rumors about that crazy woman and her children.”

Sebastian glanced at me, his eyes narrowing into cold slate. “What do you suggest, Olivia?”

“We move up the formal announcement of our wedding date,” she purred. “We announce a five-million-dollar donation to children’s hospitals in your name. If you show the world that we are unbreakable, Hannah Miller’s ridiculous claims will look like cheap extortion. My father’s media team is ready to blast her business across every morning tabloid if she dares file a lawsuit.”

I felt a surge of revulsion, but Sebastian held up a single finger, signaling me to stay quiet.

“That sounds like an extraordinary strategy, Olivia,” Sebastian replied smoothly. “In fact, let’s make it the centerpiece of the entire evening. I’ll make sure the media has front-row access to the main stage.”

“Oh, Sebastian, I knew you’d see reason!” she squealed with delight. “I’ve already picked out my gown. I’ll see you at seven sharp, my love.”

The call disconnected.

Marcus smiled darkly from the corner of the room. “She just walked straight onto the gallows and handed you the rope.”

“Hannah,” Sebastian turned to me, his gaze blazing with absolute resolve. “Do you still have the full, unedited recording of the phone call from the maternity ward?”

“Not only that,” I replied, opening my tablet. “I also have the wire transfer records from Eleanor’s offshore account to Nurse Vance’s brother, along with the text message Olivia sent me yesterday threatening to frame my kitchen for health code violations.”

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Sebastian reached into his coat and produced an invitation card printed on heavy, gold-embossed cardstock.

“Tonight, Olivia wants a spectacle,” Sebastian whispered. “Let’s give her one she’ll never forget.”

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