Homeless Boy Shouts ‘Don’t Eat That!’ Billionaire Freezes When He Finds Out Why
Chapter 10
Daniel refused to believe that Laura’s final message was meaningless.
He reopened every investigation.
Sam’s mother’s name was Anna Carter.
She had worked as a cleaner for several companies connected to Richard Mercer.
Her death certificate said she had died of pneumonia three years earlier.
But Daniel discovered inconsistencies.
The hospital listed no admission record.
The cemetery had no burial documentation.
Her social security account showed activity after her supposed death.
Anna Carter might still be alive.
Daniel asked Sam.
“What do you remember about your mother?”
Sam thought.
“She told me never to trust people with expensive watches.”
Daniel smiled.
“Anything else?”
“She had a blue notebook.”
“What was inside?”
“I don’t know.”
“Where is it?”
Sam looked away.
“I hid it.”
“Where?”
“At the shelter.”
They returned to the church.
Behind a loose panel beneath the stairs, Sam found the notebook.
Inside were names.
Dates.
Payments.
Photographs.
Anna had been documenting Richard’s network for years.
She had evidence that could destroy everyone involved.
But one photograph made Daniel stop.
It showed Anna standing beside Laura.
Both women were pregnant.
Daniel looked at the date.
Eleven years earlier.
Lily had been born ten years earlier.
Sam had been born ten years earlier.
Daniel looked at Ethan.
“You said Laura gave Lily to Grace.”
“Yes.”
“What if she didn’t?”
Ethan frowned.
“What do you mean?”
Daniel examined the photograph.
There were two babies.
Two hospital bracelets.
One belonged to Lily.
The other had no name.
Sam stared at it.
“My mother had another baby.”
Daniel looked at him.
“Who?”
Sam shook his head.
“I don’t know.”
Then Anna appeared.
They heard footsteps.
A woman stood in the church doorway.
Older.
Tired.
But alive.
Sam ran toward her.
“Mom!”
Daniel froze.
Anna hugged him.
Then looked at Daniel.
“You found the notebook.”
Daniel nodded.
“You knew Laura.”
Anna smiled sadly.
“She was my friend.”
“What happened to her?”
“She died protecting both children.”
Daniel stared.
“Both?”
Anna looked at Sam.
Then Lily.
“Yes.”
Silence.
Anna finally explained.
Laura had given birth to Lily.
Anna had given birth to Sam.
But Richard wanted Lily because she was Daniel’s heir.
He had ordered people to locate her.
Anna helped Laura hide both children.
Sam was raised away from the Mercer name.
Lily was placed with Grace.
Laura died protecting the arrangement.
Anna disappeared to protect Sam.
Daniel looked at Sam.
The boy who had saved his life wasn’t simply a homeless child.
He was connected to the same conspiracy.
But there was one more secret.
Anna handed Daniel an envelope.
“Laura left this for you.”
Daniel opened it.
Inside was a DNA report.
Daniel’s hands shook.
The report showed a biological relationship between Daniel and Sam.
Daniel stared.
Sam was his son.
