Blood ties
298 Words
Oliver stared at the frozen CCTV image.
The gold Lancaster family ring glinted on the stranger's hand.
Only a handful of people possessed that ring.
His grandfather.
His uncle Richard.
And...
His younger brother, Adrian.
Marcus broke the silence.
"I'll have the security team identify him."
Oliver nodded. "Do it quietly. If this is a member of my family, I don't want them alerted."
Tracy looked at Oliver with concern.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "This is happening because of me."
Oliver gently took her hand.
"No. This is happening because someone is afraid of the truth."
Before Tracy could ask what he meant, Oliver's phone rang.
The caller ID made his expression turn grim.
Grandfather.
He answered immediately.
"Come to the Lancaster estate," the old man's commanding voice said. "Now."
The call ended.
---
An hour later, Oliver and Tracy arrived at the sprawling Lancaster mansion.
The entire Lancaster family was gathered in the grand hall.
Grandfather Edward Lancaster sat at the head of the long table, his face unreadable.
To his right sat Uncle Richard.
To his left sat Adrian, Oliver's younger brother.
Vanessa was there too, standing quietly near the fireplace.
Tracy felt completely out of place.
Edward's sharp eyes settled on her.
"So," he said, "you're the woman carrying the Lancaster heir."
The room fell silent.
Oliver stepped forward.
"I brought Tracy because she deserves respect."
Edward ignored him.
Instead, he looked directly at Tracy.
"Tell me one thing."
She swallowed nervously.
"Yes, sir?"
"Is that child truly Oliver's?"
Before Tracy could answer, the heavy doors burst open.
A man rushed into the hall, breathing heavily.
"Mr. Lancaster!" he shouted.
"We've found Ethan Brooks..."
Everyone turned.
The man's face was pale.
"But he's been found dead."
The room froze.
Someone had silenced the only witnesses
- Writer
