2026-08-27 21:01:57
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Chapter One-Hundred and Fifty:After M-17
The courthouse emptied slowly. Lawyers gathered in small groups, speaking in low voices. Reporters waited beyond the security barrier. For the first time in years, Benedict's name was beginning to attract attention outside Ashcroft Group. He didn't like it. Neither did Victor."We need to leave through the private entrance," Victor said."Already arranged," Jonathan replied.Benedict remained near the courtroom doors, his eyes following Damian, who had stopped beside a window, staring at the city below. Benedict walked toward him."You did the right thing."Damian gave a quiet laugh. "I don't know if it was the right thing.""You told the truth.""That doesn't always make things easier.""No."Benedict looked at the paper Damian had given him.ASK WHO RECEIVED HIM.The question had followed them from St. Mary's to Blackwood Farm, M-17, Mercer House, and now the courtroom. But they still didn't have the answer."Where is Martin's archive?" Benedict asked."Most of it was transferred to
Chapter One-Hundred and Forty Nine: What Damian Refused to Say
The courtroom doors opened just as Benedict reached them. Victor entered first, Eleanor following. Damian was already inside, standing beside his lawyer, staring at the documents arranged across the table.Benedict slowed as he entered. This was no longer an investigation. This was a fight over his name.A judge sat at the far end of the room. Across from the Ashcroft legal team sat two representatives of Mercer Strategic Holdings. Benedict recognized one of them. Arthur Bell. He had expected Arthur to remain a witness. Instead, he was sitting with the opposing counsel.Benedict's eyes narrowed. Arthur noticed. For a moment, guilt crossed his face. Then it disappeared.The judge looked toward Benedict. "Mr. Vandross, take your seat."Benedict sat beside Victor, Serena and Jonathan remaining behind them. The judge lifted a document. "We are here because questions have been raised concerning the historical succession of Ashcroft Group and the identity of the person currently claiming an
Chapter One-Hundred and Forty Eight: A Test They Could Control
Benedict read the laboratory authorization for a second time. Yesterday. That was the part he couldn't ignore. The old documents had carried the same initial, but this signature was recent. Someone had deliberately copied the past into the present.Jonathan stood beside him. "I've already started checking Northbridge Clinical Genetics.""And?""They exist.""But?""They've been operating for nine years.""So they're legitimate.""Legitimate company. That's different from legitimate involvement."Serena nodded. "Who owns it?"Jonathan hesitated. "A private investment group.""Name?""North Vale Medical Holdings."Benedict's expression hardened. "North Vale again." The same network had appeared in the old payment records. Not proof of the person behind anything. But enough to make coincidence difficult to believe.Victor took the document from Benedict. "Can they legally order a test like this?""The court can require biological evidence. But the laboratory has to be independently verif
Chapter One-Hundred and Forty Six:Before the Hearing
Benedict didn't go alone. Evelyn's message had specifically asked him to come alone, which was precisely why he had no intention of following the instruction.Serena sat beside him in the car. Jonathan followed several minutes behind. Neither knew where Evelyn wanted to meet — her first message had given them only one instruction.Come to the old conservatory at Ashcroft Foundation. 10:30 p.m.Benedict checked the time. 10:17."We have thirteen minutes," Serena said."For the meeting?""For the hearing." She nodded toward his phone. "Victor said less than six hours. You should be preparing for court.""I am.""By chasing Evelyn?""By finding out why someone is trying to put my identity before a court."Serena watched him a moment. "And if the answer is worse than we expect?"Benedict looked through the windshield. "Then I'd rather know before someone else tells the story for me."The old conservatory stood at the rear of the Foundation
Chapter One-Hundred and Forty Seven:Bloodline Under Question
The Ashcroft Foundation had never felt so crowded. By the time Benedict arrived, lawyers, trustees, security officers, and senior executives were moving through the building with barely concealed urgency. The succession hearing was no longer a private dispute. It had become a threat to the entire Ashcroft Group.Jonathan stepped out of the car behind Benedict. "Victor's legal team is already upstairs."Benedict nodded. "And Damian?""Arrived ten minutes ago."Serena looked at him. "Have you spoken to him?""No.""Maybe you should.""I will."They had barely entered the lobby when Victor appeared, looking exhausted. For once, the chairman of Ashcroft Group didn't look like a man in control of the situation."Benedict." His eyes moved to Evelyn, and his expression changed. "You brought her?""She was there the night I disappeared."Victor stared at Evelyn. "You knew?""I knew the child survived," Evelyn replied.Victor's jaw tightene
Chapter One-Hundred and Forty Five: M-17
By the time Benedict reached M-17, the sky over Aurelia City had begun to darken. The old medical transfer station stood beyond an abandoned industrial district, hidden behind a rusted metal fence.Jonathan checked the coordinates again. "This is it."Serena looked through the windshield. "It doesn't look like a medical facility.""It hasn't been one for twenty-six years," Jonathan replied.Benedict opened the car door. "Then let's see what survived."They crossed the overgrown yard. The building was small compared with the Mercer properties they'd already discovered — one floor, four rooms, a loading entrance at the back. No sign, no company name, nothing that suggested it had once handled private medical transfers.Jonathan found the original door. The lock had been replaced. Recently. Benedict noticed the new screws."Someone still uses this place.""Or someone doesn't want anyone else using it," Serena said.Jonathan took out his tools. Before
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