The photograph remained on the screen.Antonio could not look away.David Hale stood beside a woman with dark hair and serious eyes. One hand rested gently on his shoulder. They looked young, happy, completely unaware that their lives would eventually become buried beneath decades of secrets.Beneath the photograph were the words:DAVID'S SECRET WIFE.STATUS: ALIVE.Antonio turned toward his mother."Who is she?""Her name is Elena.""Elena what?""Elena Grace."Cynthia looked confused."Grace?"Antonio's mother nodded."David married her under another name."Antonio stared at the photograph."Why did he hide his marriage?""Because Elena was already being watched."Samuel stepped forward."She wasn't just David's wife."Antonio looked at him."Then what was she?""She was the person David trusted with the final Project Hale key."Antonio's heart tightened."You said my son was the final key.""He is the final genetic authorization," Samuel explained. "Elena holds the information need

The man stopped halfway down the stairs.Antonio could not breathe.For several seconds, he simply stared.The stranger looked exactly like him.Cynthia moved closer to Antonio."Who is he?"Antonio's mother covered her mouth.The man smiled."Hello, Antonio."Antonio raised his weapon."Don't move."The stranger stopped.Elena remained behind him, watching with an expression Antonio could not understand.Antonio looked at his mother."You said I was adopted.""I know.""You said Grace gave birth to me.""She did.""Then who is he?"His mother began crying."Your twin."Antonio's grip tightened."My twin?"She nodded."His name is Adrian."Antonio's heart stopped.He slowly looked toward the Adrian standing beside him."No."The man on the stairs shook his head."Not the Adrian you know."Antonio looked toward the entrance.His older brother Adrian Morris was standing there, equally stunned."What?" Adrian asked.The stranger smiled."That is why your family changed so many records."

Antonio tightened his grip around his son.“Let's go.”Samuel was already moving.Raymond, Adrian Hale, Marcus, and Antonio's father followed closely behind.Cynthia stayed beside Antonio, her face still pale from everything that had happened.Nobody spoke as they climbed the stairs.The moment they reached the upper floor, another gunshot sounded outside.Samuel looked through the broken window.“They're back.”Antonio didn't stop.“Then we move now.”They rushed through the rear entrance.Three vehicles were already waiting.Samuel opened the door of the first vehicle.“Get in.”Antonio climbed inside with Cynthia and the baby.Adrian Hale entered after them.Raymond and Marcus took the second vehicle while Antonio's father entered the third.Within seconds, the convoy sped away from the estate.Antonio looked down at his son.The baby was unusually quiet.His tiny fingers were curled around the edge of Antonio's shirt.Antonio gently touched his forehead.“You're going to be safe.”

The hospital intercom went silent.For several seconds, nobody moved.Antonio stared at the ceiling.“Who was that?”Gideon did not answer.Antonio turned toward him.“I asked you a question.”Gideon looked at the two babies.Then he looked at Antonio.“I don't know.”Antonio's expression hardened.“You expect me to believe that?”“I've never heard that voice before.”Another explosion shook the building.Cynthia tightened her arms around Antonio's son.“Antonio, we need to leave.”“We can't.”He looked toward Elena.“She has the other child.”Elena stepped closer.“Then take him.”Antonio looked at her in surprise.“You were protecting him.”“I was.”“Why?”“Because I promised his mother.”Antonio froze.“His mother is alive?”Elena's eyes filled with sadness.“Yes.”“Where is she?”Before Elena could answer, the lights came back on.Every screen in the underground room activated simultaneously.A woman's face appeared.Antonio recognized her immediately.He had never met her.But he

Antonio stared at Daniel.“You're lying.”Daniel smiled.“I wish I were.”Antonio stepped forward.“You brought us here.”“No. The third account brought you here.”Daniel pointed toward the black chair.“I only prepared the room.”Antonio looked at Evelyn.“Is he telling the truth?”Evelyn didn't answer.“Evelyn.”She finally nodded.“The third account was built around a genetic succession principle.”Antonio's expression hardened.“Explain it.”“It requires a living bridge between the old bloodline and the new bloodline.”Antonio looked toward his son.“And that bridge is me?”“Yes.”Cynthia shook her head.“No.”Daniel looked at her.“The system will not kill him immediately.”Antonio turned sharply.“Immediately?”Daniel continued.“It will extract his authority. His genetic access. His memories.”Antonio stared at him.“Then what?”“Once the process is complete, the third account will belong to the heirs.”Antonio looked at the babies.“And what happens to me?”Daniel's face becam