Chapter 9: The Last Lie Richard Told
We found the clinic through the emergency transfer records.
It was a private medical facility on the outskirts of the city, owned by a company connected to Richard's investment division.
The same company that had paid Vanessa.
The same company that had funded the false DNA test.
And now the same company was holding my newborn son.
Evelyn called the police while Thomas drove us there.
Maya sat beside me.
Olivia sat in the front passenger seat, staring at her phone.
She had barely spoken since the hearing.
I reached forward.
“Are you all right?””
She nodded.
“I'm just thinking about something.””
“What?””
“Richard didn't do all this because he wanted money.””
I frowned.
“He wanted control.””
“Maybe. But why did he need a baby?””
I looked at her.
She continued.
“Why not just steal the company directly?””
Evelyn turned around.
“Because the trust has restrictions.””
Olivia shook her head.
“That's not what I mean. Why go through all this trouble to make a child look like Daniel's heir?””
I considered the question.
Then the answer came.
“Because a direct descendant would have rights that Richard couldn't easily challenge.””
Evelyn nodded.
“Exactly.””
Olivia looked at me.
“But Andrew is his son. The baby is his grandson. So Richard could still control the child through his family.””
I stared at her.
That was it.
Richard didn't need the baby to inherit everything.
He needed the baby to become the bridge between his family and mine.
If I died, became incapacitated, or lost control of the company, Richard could claim authority through the child's paternal family.
And if the child was legally recognized as mine, the trust would protect him.
Richard had designed a perfect trap.
He would steal my inheritance while pretending to preserve my family legacy.
When we arrived at the clinic, two security guards blocked the entrance.
“Private facility,” one said.
“I'm Daniel Hayes. My son was brought here.””
The guard checked his tablet.
“There's no patient under that name.””
Evelyn showed him the transfer order.
“Then perhaps you'd like to explain why your facility accepted this child under an emergency authorization signed by Richard Hayes.””
The guard looked at his colleague.
Neither answered.
I stepped forward.
“Move.””
They didn't.
Then Olivia approached.
She held up her phone.
“I have a recording of Richard discussing the transfer.””
The guards exchanged another glance.
One reached for his radio.
A few seconds later, the clinic director appeared.
He was a short man with silver glasses and a nervous smile.
“Mr. Hayes. We can discuss this inside.””
I followed him into a private office.
The room smelled of disinfectant and expensive furniture polish.
“Where is my son?””
The director folded his hands.
“Your brother requested a confidential medical examination.””
“On what grounds?””
“He claimed there were concerns regarding the baby's identity.””
I stared at him.
“Identity?””
“He said the child might have been switched.””
I felt my stomach tighten.
“Switched with whom?””
The director looked toward the door.
“I don't know.””
“Where is the baby?””
“Room 204.””
I started toward the door.
He stood quickly.
“Mr. Hayes, please. There are legal procedures—”
“Then call the police and explain why you're keeping my son from me.””
I left the office.
A nurse was standing outside Room 204.
She looked frightened.
“Is the baby here?””
She nodded.
I opened the door.
My son was sleeping in a small hospital crib.
A thin blanket covered his body.
The silver bracelet was missing.
I picked him up carefully.
His tiny hand wrapped around my finger.
For the first time since the gala, I felt certain about one thing.
Whatever happened with the DNA, whatever Vanessa had done, whatever Richard had planned, this child deserved protection.
I held him against my chest.
“I'm here,” I whispered.
“I'm not leaving you.””
Maya stood in the doorway.
“Can I see him?””
I smiled.
“Of course.””
She approached slowly and touched his tiny foot.
“Hi, little brother.””
Olivia stood behind her.
For a moment, the three of us looked at the baby.
Then a voice came from the hallway.
“That's a beautiful picture.””
Richard.
I turned.
He stood at the end of the corridor with his hands in his pockets.
Two men were behind him.
One carried a briefcase.
The other held a phone.
“Put him down, Daniel,” Richard said.
“No.””
“You're making this difficult.””
“You stole him.””
“I protected him.””
“You falsified his identity.””
Richard shrugged.
“Families do complicated things.””
I stepped toward him.
“Not this family.””
He looked at Maya.
“Hello, sweetheart.””
She moved behind Olivia.
Richard smiled.
“Still frightened of me?””
Maya shook her head.
“Not anymore.””
His smile disappeared.
I handed the baby to Olivia.
“Take him to the nurse. Stay with Maya.””
Richard watched.
“You're going to regret this.””
Evelyn appeared behind him.
“So are you.””
She was accompanied by two police officers.
Richard glanced at them.
Then he laughed.
“Do you really think a few documents will destroy me?””
One officer stepped forward.
“Richard Hayes, we need you to come with us.””
Richard raised his hands.
“On what grounds?””
“Forgery, fraud, unlawful interference with a minor, and suspected financial crimes.””
He looked at me.
“You think you've won?””
I didn't answer.
He leaned closer.
“Ask Evelyn what happened to your father.””
I froze.
“What?””
Richard smiled.
“Ask her why he died before he could tell you the truth.””
Evelyn stepped forward.
“Don't listen to him.””
Richard laughed.
“Tell him, Evelyn. Tell him what happened at the hospital.””
I turned toward her.
“What is he talking about?””
She looked away.
That was enough.
“Evelyn?””
She closed her eyes.
“Your father was not expected to die that night.””
I felt the blood drain from my face.
“What?””
“He was admitted with chest pain. The doctors stabilized him. But his medication was changed.””
Richard laughed.
“By whom?””
Evelyn stared at him.
“By someone who had access to his medical records.””
I looked at my brother.
He was still smiling.
“You killed Dad?””
Richard tilted his head.
“Your father was going to ruin everything.””
One officer grabbed his arm.
Richard didn't resist.
“He was going to give the company to you,” he continued.
“He was going to make sure I never controlled a single share.””
I stepped closer.
“So you killed him?””
Richard's smile faded.
“I did what I had to do.””
The officers tightened their grip.
But Richard wasn't finished.
He looked at me one last time.
“You still don't know the worst part, Daniel.””
“What?””
“Your father knew Emily's car had been tampered with. He knew about the baby. He knew I was involved.””
I stared at him.
“Then why didn't he go to the police?””
Richard smiled coldly.
“Because he was protecting someone.””
“Who?””
Richard glanced toward Olivia.
Then toward Maya.
Finally, his eyes settled on me.
“Your father knew one of his children wasn't yours.””
The hallway went silent.
I looked at Evelyn.
She whispered, “Daniel, don't.””
Richard laughed as the officers led him away.
And then I understood.
May you like
He wasn't talking about the baby.
He was talking about Maya.
