Chapter 7 The Sister's Escalating Scheme

Morning came with the disorienting sensation of waking in luxury while my thoughts remained tangled in memories of the night before—Damien's hands, his mouth, the way he'd whispered my name. Reality crashed back quickly as my phone buzzed with a message from Sophie: "Need to talk. Urgent. Meet at the coffee shop three blocks from the office. 9am."

I dressed hurriedly, opting for casual elegance that wouldn't draw attention—dark jeans, a silk blouse, minimal makeup. The house was quiet as I made my way downstairs, most occupants likely nursing hangovers from last night's celebration.

"Going somewhere?" Mother's voice caught me at the front door.

I turned to find her watching me with concern, still in her robe. "Meeting Sophie. Something about the Takeda deal."

She glanced around before approaching, voice lowered. "Be careful. Emily left early this morning with Charles—some urgent business meeting. She seemed... agitated."

"I'll be fine," I assured her, though a prickle of unease traveled down my spine.

The coffee shop was a trendy independent place, busy enough to provide anonymity but not so crowded that we couldn't talk. Sophie was already there, two cups on the table before her, eyes scanning the entrance nervously.

"Thank god," she breathed as I sat down. "I was afraid you might not come."

"What's happened?"

She pushed a coffee toward me. "The Takeda contract has been revised again. Final signatures tomorrow at 10am."

"So soon?" My stomach tightened. "Damien mentioned something about Meridian Holdings—"

"Yes, the shell company." Sophie leaned forward. "But there's more. After our meeting yesterday, I did some additional digging. Meridian has transferred substantial funds to offshore accounts belonging to Charles and Emily over the past month."

"Bribes?"

"More like payoffs," Sophie corrected grimly. "For services rendered fifteen years ago."

The implication hit me like a physical blow. "They're paying my grandfather and sister for my father's murder? After all this time?"

"It appears the deal was always meant to be a delayed compensation. Your father opposed the original Takeda acquisition—he'd discovered irregularities in their research protocols. Once he was... removed, the plan was put on hold until enough time had passed."

"And now they're completing what they started," I murmured, pieces falling into place. "But why rush it suddenly?"

"Because of you." Sophie's expression was grave. "Your return threatens everything. If you gain any real power in the company, you might discover what they did."

I absorbed this information slowly, mind racing. "We need to stop the signing."

"That's not all." Sophie hesitated. "There's something else you should know. I received a disturbing call this morning from a contact in hospital administration. Someone accessed your medical records yesterday—specifically your blood type and genetic markers."

"Why would anyone—"

"To confirm you're really Alexander's daughter," Sophie interrupted. "There have been rumors, apparently. Emily has been suggesting to board members that you might not be legitimate."

"That's absurd," I scoffed. "I look exactly like my father."

"Resemblance isn't proof. DNA is. And Emily knows that a paternity challenge could tie up your inheritance indefinitely." Sophie checked her watch nervously. "I need to get back before anyone notices I'm gone. Be careful, Vivian. Emily is escalating."

As Sophie left, my phone buzzed with a text from Damien: "Emergency board meeting called. 11am. Emily making moves. Be ready."

I arrived at Hart Industries just before eleven, heart pounding as I entered the boardroom. Most members were already seated, expressions ranging from curious to concerned. Emily sat at Charles's right hand, immaculately dressed and radiating confidence. When our eyes met, her smile was pure venom.

Damien entered last, nodding professionally in my direction before taking his seat beside Emily, who immediately placed a possessive hand on his arm. The gesture, clearly for my benefit, made something twist painfully in my chest despite our night together.

"Thank you all for coming on such short notice," Charles began, commanding the room with practiced authority. "I've called this emergency session to address a sensitive matter regarding company succession and the upcoming Takeda merger."

My pulse quickened as Emily leaned forward. "As you know, my sister's unexpected return has raised certain... questions about Hart family dynamics. In the interest of transparency, I've taken the liberty of conducting some due diligence regarding Vivian's claim to company shares."

She nodded to her assistant, who distributed folders to each board member. I received mine with steady hands, though inside I was trembling with fury.

"What exactly are you implying, Emily?" I asked evenly.

Her smile was cold. "Nothing yet. I'm simply presenting facts for the board's consideration." She turned to the group. "The documents before you outline certain irregularities in Catherine Hart's activities around the time of her departure. Bank transfers to unknown accounts, meetings with Alexander's business rivals, and most concerningly—" she paused dramatically, "—medical records indicating she was seeing a fertility specialist prior to Vivian's conception."

Gasps and murmurs filled the room. I flipped through the folder, blood rushing in my ears. The documents appeared legitimate—bank statements, appointment schedules, all carefully curated to paint a damning picture.

"This is absurd," I stated, fighting to keep my voice steady. "I am Alexander Hart's daughter. A simple DNA test would prove it."

"Which we would welcome," Emily replied smoothly. "Until then, I propose that Vivian's board observation privileges be suspended pending verification of her identity."

Damien cleared his throat. "As legal counsel, I must advise that without concrete evidence of fraud, we cannot restrict a shareholder's rights based on speculation."

Emily's smile faltered slightly. "This isn't speculation, darling. These are documented irregularities that raise legitimate concerns."

"Concerns aren't proof," Sophie interjected firmly. "And I find the timing of these allegations highly convenient—just before the Takeda signing."

Charles raised a hand, silencing the growing debate. "While we appreciate your enthusiasm for protecting the company, Emily, Damien is correct. We cannot legally restrict Vivian without definitive evidence." He turned to me, eyes cold. "However, in light of these questions, I hope you understand why you cannot be involved in tomorrow's signing ceremony."

It was a calculated compromise—appearing reasonable while still achieving their goal of keeping me away from the Takeda contract. Before I could respond, the boardroom door burst open.

A security guard entered, expression apologetic. "Excuse me, sir. There's an urgent situation requiring Dr. Chen's immediate attention in the lab."

Sophie frowned. "What kind of situation?"

"A containment breach, ma'am. In Lab 4."

Sophie paled visibly. "That's impossible. Lab 4 is secure."

"Please, Dr. Chen. It's critical."

With a concerned glance in my direction, Sophie hurriedly left the room. An uneasy feeling settled in my stomach—something about the timing felt wrong.

"While we await Dr. Chen's return," Charles continued smoothly, "let's proceed with the remaining agenda items."

The meeting continued with discussions of quarterly projections and market strategy, but I barely heard the words. My mind was racing, trying to understand Emily's game. The paternity challenge was a delaying tactic, designed to distract and discredit me. But why remove Sophie from the room so urgently?

As the meeting concluded thirty minutes later, I noticed Sophie had not returned. I tried calling her cell phone as I left the boardroom, but it went straight to voicemail. The uneasy feeling intensified.

"Quite the performance in there," Emily's voice came from behind me as I waited for the elevator. "Though ultimately futile."

I turned to face her, maintaining a calm I didn't feel. "Falsifying medical records is a serious crime, Emily."

She laughed, the sound utterly without warmth. "Falsifying? Every document in that folder is authentic. Mother had secrets you know nothing about."

"Whatever game you're playing, it won't work."

The elevator arrived, but as I moved to enter, Emily caught my arm. "This isn't a game, Vivian. This is my life—my company, my future—that you're threatening." Her nails dug painfully into my skin. "I've spent fifteen years becoming what this family needs. You don't get to waltz back in and take it from me."

I pulled away from her grasp. "I'm not trying to take anything. I'm claiming what's rightfully mine."

"Nothing here is yours," she hissed, mask of civility slipping completely. "Not the company, not the family name, and certainly not Damien."

My heart stuttered at his name. "I don't know what you mean."

Her laugh was cruel. "Please. I've seen how you look at him. How he looks at you when he thinks I'm not watching." She leaned closer, voice dropping to a venomous whisper. "Did you enjoy last night? Did you think I wouldn't know he came to your room?"

Ice flooded my veins. "You're mistaken."

"Am I? The security system records all movement between wings. Damien left our celebration for nearly an hour. So did you." Her smile was triumphant. "He returned looking... disheveled."

The elevator doors began to close. Emily held them open, delivering her parting shot: "He'll never choose you, you know. Damien understands where true power lies in this family. Whatever game he's playing with you—it's just that. A game."

As the doors finally closed between us, I leaned against the wall, heart pounding. Emily knew—or at least suspected—about Damien and me. The question was, what would she do with that information?

I tried Sophie's number again as I reached the lobby. Still no answer. Following an instinct I couldn't explain, I headed toward the research wing rather than leaving the building.

Lab 4 was eerily quiet when I arrived. No signs of a containment breach, no emergency personnel. Just an empty laboratory with equipment powered down.

"Sophie?" I called, pushing open the glass door. No response.

A security badge lay on the floor near one of the workstations—Sophie's, the photo clearly visible. I picked it up, unease blooming into genuine fear. Something was very wrong.

My phone rang, an unknown number flashing on the screen. "Hello?"

"Vivian." Sophie's voice was tense, frightened. "Thank god."

"Sophie? Where are you? What's happening?"

"Listen carefully," she said, words rushing together. "I don't have much time. Emily's people took me from the building—some nonsense about protecting company assets. I'm at the old Hart warehouse on Riverside."

"I'll call the police—"

"No!" The panic in her voice stopped me. "No police. Emily has too many connections. Just..." Her voice broke slightly. "Just tell Damien to find the Prometheus files. He'll understand."

The line went dead. I stared at the phone in horror, reality crashing down like a physical weight. Emily hadn't just been making accusations—she'd kidnapped Sophie to silence her, to prevent her from helping me stop the Takeda deal.

I needed to find Damien immediately. Racing toward the executive elevator, I nearly collided with him as he rounded a corner, his expression urgent.

"Vivian," he said, gripping my arms. "I've been looking everywhere for you. Sophie's missing—"

"I know," I cut in breathlessly. "Emily has her. At the Riverside warehouse. She just called me."

His face hardened. "Get somewhere safe. Now. I'll handle this."

"I'm coming with you."

"Absolutely not. If Emily has escalated to kidnapping, she's desperate. Dangerous."

"Sophie is in danger because of me," I insisted. "I'm not hiding while you face this alone."

Damien studied me for a moment, something like pride flashing in his eyes. "My car's in the executive garage. We need to move quickly, before Emily realizes Sophie made contact."

As we hurried toward the parking garage, I filled him in on Sophie's message about the Prometheus files. His expression grew grim.

"Project Prometheus was your father's final research initiative," he explained as we reached his car. "Supposedly abandoned after his death, but I've suspected for years that Charles continued it secretly. If Sophie's found evidence of that..."

"It would give Emily motive to silence her," I finished, buckling my seatbelt as Damien accelerated out of the garage.

The drive to Riverside was tense, each second stretching endlessly as I imagined what might be happening to Sophie. Damien drove with focused intensity, one hand occasionally reaching over to squeeze mine reassuringly.

"Whatever happens," he said as we neared our destination, "stay behind me. Emily's dangerous, but she won't hurt me—not yet, anyway. She still needs me for appearances."

The warehouse loomed ahead, an abandoned industrial building with the faded Hart logo still visible on its water tower. Damien parked some distance away, assessing the situation.

"Two cars," he noted grimly. "Emily's driver and likely security. We need a distraction."

We formulated a hasty plan—Damien would create a diversion while I located Sophie. It was risky, but we had no choice. As I watched him disappear around the building's perimeter, fear and determination warred within me. Emily had escalated beyond what I'd imagined possible. Whatever happened next would change everything.

Taking a deep breath, I waited for Damien's signal, praying we weren't already too late.