Chapter 8 - THE DECISION COST LIAM REAL POWER
Liam temporarily recused himself from several family-trust decisions.
His lawyers advised it.
So did the independent trustees.
The press knew nothing.
Most employees knew nothing.
But inside Sterling circles, the absence was obvious.
Graham stepped into the vacuum.
He began attending more meetings.
Calling senior executives.
Presenting himself as stability while Liam dealt with “personal questions.”
Liam hated it.
Avery saw how much.
“This is what Mom warned me about.”
“She warned you because she knew fear would work.”
“What if Graham takes control?”
“Can he?”
“Not permanently. Maybe.”
Avery looked at him.
“Then decide whether the truth mattered only when it was free.”
He stared at her.
She immediately regretted the harshness.
Then Liam nodded.
“You’re right.”
The testing fight continued.
Finally Graham agreed to provide a sample after trustees indicated his refusal could weaken arguments based on biological lineage.
Victoria provided hers.
Liam provided his.
The laboratory warned them that the result might establish probable relationships but still leave ambiguity without direct samples from Richard or Julian.
Weeks passed.
During that time Leo developed reflux.
Avery spent nights walking him across a bedroom filled with inherited art while her husband fought over ancestral bloodlines downstairs with lawyers.
It was almost darkly funny.
One night Liam came upstairs at 2 a.m.
Avery was exhausted.
“Take him.”
Liam did.
Leo immediately spit milk onto the shoulder of Liam’s cashmere sweater.
Avery laughed.
Liam looked down.
“This kid has no respect for legacy.”
“That may save him.”
Liam smiled.
Then became serious.
“If it says Julian…”
Avery waited.
“Richard is still my father.”
“Yes.”
“And if it says Richard…”
“Julian is still part of whatever happened.”
Liam nodded.
For the first time, Avery saw him separate biology from parenthood.
The entire Sterling financial system had failed to make that distinction.
Their marriage might survive because he finally could.
The laboratory called the next morning.
May you like
The result was ready.
But before Liam could receive it, Victoria’s attorney filed an emergency objection to its use.
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