I Noticed My Maid’s Son Had the Same Birthmark as Me—Then His Hospital Papers Listed Me as His Father.

The silence in the library was suffocating.

Celeste stared at Arthur in horror. "You used my father's dummy corporation to pay her off seven years ago? You framed us!"

"Your father was an opportunist who preyed on our grief," Arthur retorted coldly. "He used Marco’s supposed death to force Victor into a corner. I merely used his own dirty money to clean up Victor’s mess."

Victor hadn't lowered his gun. The barrel was pointed dead center at his uncle’s forehead. "You don't get to call my son a mess, Arthur. And you don't get to play God with my family."

"I built this family alongside your father while you were still running street corners!" Arthur yelled back, his composure finally cracking. "Look at what you’ve done! You’ve spent eight years chasing ghosts, letting the Morettis dictate our terms! I gave you back your son tonight, Victor! You should be thanking me on your knees!"

"You put a gun to the mother of my child," Victor growled, taking a slow step toward his uncle. "You forged Marco’s signature on wire transfers. You had his keycard. Where did you get Marco’s personal effects, Arthur?"

Arthur’s eyes shifted slightly toward the open window overlooking the east gardens. It was a fraction of a second, but Victor caught it.

"Mateo," Victor ordered without looking away from Arthur. "Secure my uncle. Strip him of his weapons, take the ring, and lock him in the private holding cell in the armory."

"Victor, you can't touch me!" Arthur snarled as two guards moved in and pinned his arms behind his back. "The elders won't stand for this! The entire syndicate will tear itself apart!"

"The syndicate answers to me," Victor said, his voice flat and terrifying. "Take him."

As the guards wrestled Arthur out into the hallway, Claire grabbed Victor’s arm. "Victor, please. Take me to Eli. Now."

Victor looked down at her pale, trembling face. He holstered his weapon, reached down, and took her small hand firmly in his own.

"Nobody hurts him, Claire. I swear it on my life."