Back at the hotel, I find Leo already dressed in the outfit I laid out last night—navy pants, a light blue button-down that matches his eyes, and a small blazer that makes him look like a miniature businessman.

"You look very handsome," I tell him, kneeling to straighten his collar.


He beams at me. "Are we going to see the tall man again?"

My heart clenches. Already he's drawn to Ethan, a biological pull neither of them understands. "Yes, sweetheart. And some other people too. Remember what I told you about today?"

Leo nods solemnly. "The doctor will take a little bit of my spit with a cotton stick. It won't hurt. And I need to be brave and answer questions truthfully."


"That's right." I smooth his hair, marveling at how much he looks like Ethan in this light. "And remember, this is just a grown-up business thing. Nothing to worry about."

Marcus approaches, his expression grave. "The lawyers are meeting us there. Are you sure about this, Olivia? Once the results come back—"


"I know what I'm doing," I interrupt, more sharply than intended. "This was always part of the plan."

Not exactly this way, not this soon, but the end result is the same. Ethan will learn he has a son, and that knowledge will be the first domino to fall in my carefully arranged revenge.

"The car is ready," Marcus says, wisely dropping the subject.

As we ride to Knight Industries, I review the morning's strategy in my head. The DNA test is inevitable—Ethan is too smart and too powerful to be denied. But I can control the narrative, set the terms for what happens next.

Leo chatters excitedly beside me, pointing out tall buildings and yellow taxis. His innocence in all this sometimes makes my chest ache. He deserves better than to be a pawn in this game of revenge, but I've convinced myself that securing his birthright—the Morgan legacy that was stolen from both of us—justifies the means.

Knight Industries looms ahead, its glass facade reflecting the morning sun like a giant mirror. Somewhere in that building, Ethan Knight is waiting, preparing for a confrontation that will change both our lives.

"We're here," Marcus announces unnecessarily as the car pulls to a stop.

I take Leo's hand, squeezing it gently. "Remember, Mommy loves you more than anything in the world."

"I know," he says simply, with the unshakable confidence of a child who has never doubted he is loved.

Our lawyers meet us in the lobby—Caroline Chen, a shark in a designer suit who specializes in high-profile paternity cases, and James Harrington, a corporate attorney who's been with me since I founded Ascendant Group.

"The paperwork is in order," Caroline informs me quietly as we ride the elevator. "Full confidentiality agreement, as you requested. Results sealed except to the parties involved and their legal representatives."

"And the custody provisions?" I ask, keeping my voice low so Leo won't hear.

"Ready to present if he makes any demands," she confirms. "Though I still think we should wait for the results before discussing terms."

The elevator doors open directly into a private conference room where Ethan Knight stands waiting, flanked by his own attorneys. His eyes immediately find Leo, lingering on his face before shifting to me.

"Ms. Morgan," he says, his voice carefully neutral. "Thank you for coming."

I nod coolly. "Let's get this over with, shall we? My son has a playdate this afternoon."

It's a lie, designed to establish that Leo's life is full and complete without Ethan in it. A subtle power play that doesn't go unnoticed, judging by the tightening of Ethan's jaw.

A woman in a lab coat steps forward, introducing herself as Dr. Patel from an independent genetic testing facility. She explains the procedure to Leo in child-friendly terms, showing him the cheek swab and demonstrating on herself first.

Leo, always brave, opens his mouth without hesitation when it's his turn. Dr. Patel praises him for being such a good helper, sealing his sample in a labeled container.

"Now you, Mr. Knight," she says, turning to Ethan with a fresh swab.

As Ethan completes his sample, his eyes never leave mine, searching for... what? Confirmation? Fear? Regret?

He'll find none of those. I've had five years to perfect my mask of indifference.

"How long until we have results?" Ethan asks Dr. Patel.

"We can expedite the process," she replies. "Twenty-four to forty-eight hours."

"Make it twenty-four," he says, in a tone that suggests he's accustomed to getting what he wants.

With the samples collected, an uncomfortable silence falls over the room. Leo, sensing the tension, presses closer to my side.

"Is that all?" I ask, already reaching for my purse. "We have a busy day ahead."

Ethan steps forward. "Actually, I was hoping we could talk. Privately."

I glance pointedly at the roomful of lawyers. "I don't think that's wise, under the circumstances."

"Just five minutes," he insists. "There's a matter related to our dinner tonight that I'd prefer to discuss in person."

It's a transparent excuse, but refusing would seem defensive. I nod to Caroline, who ushers Leo out with the others, promising to show him the fish tank in the lobby.

When the door closes behind them, Ethan's professional demeanor slips.

"Why didn't you tell me?" he demands, his voice low but intense. "Five years, Olivia. Five years I had a son I knew nothing about."

I raise an eyebrow, feigning surprise. "So you do remember me."

"Not at first," he admits, moving closer. The subtle scent of his cologne—expensive, masculine—triggers an unwelcome flutter in my stomach. "But after seeing Leo yesterday... I had my team pull every file we had on you and Ascendant Group. There wasn't much, but there was a photo from a Singapore business journal. Once I knew what to look for, the resemblance was clear, despite your... changes."

He's standing too close now, close enough that I can see the flecks of darker blue in his eyes, the slight shadow of stubble along his jaw. I force myself to stand my ground, refusing to step back despite the sudden acceleration of my pulse.

I maintain my composure, though inwardly I'm cursing that photo. I'd been careful to avoid publicity, but that one interview had seemed safe—a small business publication halfway around the world.

"Congratulations on your detective work," I say coldly. "But it doesn't change anything."

"It changes everything," he counters, stepping closer. "That night at the hotel—"

"Is none of your concern," I interrupt. "What happened between us was a mistake. One that resulted in Leo, whom I don't regret for a second. But that doesn't entitle you to anything."

His eyes flash with anger. "He's my son."

"Biologically, perhaps," I concede. "The test will confirm that. But in every way that matters, he's mine. I carried him, birthed him, raised him alone while you were busy building your empire and dating supermodels."

"Because I didn't know he existed!" Ethan runs a hand through his hair in frustration. "You never gave me the chance to be his father."

I laugh, the sound brittle and cold. "And what would you have done if I had come to you? The disgraced Morgan heiress, claiming the great Ethan Knight had fathered her child after a one-night stand neither of us remembers? Would you have believed me? Or would you have assumed I was trying to trap you for your money?"

He has the grace to look uncertain. "I would have wanted proof, yes. But once established—"

"Once established, you would have taken my son from me," I finish for him. "With your money, your power, your army of lawyers. The courts would have favored you—the billionaire CEO over the unemployed, disgraced woman with no resources."

"That's not true," he protests, but there's a flicker of doubt in his eyes.

"Isn't it?" I challenge. "Look me in the eye and tell me you wouldn't have used every advantage to gain custody."

He can't, and we both know it.

"What happens now?" he asks finally.

I straighten my blazer, regaining my professional demeanor. "Now we wait for the test results, which will confirm what we both already know. Then we negotiate terms—visitation, support, confidentiality. All through our lawyers."

"And tonight's dinner?" he asks.

"Is strictly business," I reply firmly. "The Morgan Group acquisition proceeds regardless of our personal situation. I suggest we keep the two matters entirely separate."

Ethan studies me for a long moment, his blue eyes—so like Leo's—searching my face. "You've changed, Olivia. And not just your appearance."

"Five years raising a child alone will do that," I say, moving toward the door. "Now if you'll excuse me, my son is waiting."

"Our son," he corrects quietly.

I pause, hand on the doorknob, and look back at him. "Biology isn't destiny, Mr. Knight. You may have contributed DNA, but that doesn't make you his father. Not yet."

I leave him standing there, his expression a complex mixture of anger, determination, and something that might be regret.

In the elevator, I finally allow myself to exhale, the tension of the confrontation leaving my body in a rush. Phase two of my plan is complete—Ethan knows who I am, and by tomorrow, he'll have confirmation that Leo is his son.

What he doesn't know is that this revelation isn't about reuniting a father with his child. It's about creating the perfect leverage for my ultimate goal: the complete destruction of everyone who destroyed me.

Starting with the Morgan Group, continuing with Cassandra and Diana, and ending with Ethan Knight himself—if he proves to have been complicit in my downfall.

As the elevator doors open to reveal Leo waiting with Caroline, his face lighting up at the sight of me, I push away a flicker of doubt. This is for him too, I remind myself. For his birthright, for justice for his grandmother.

For both of us to rise from the ashes of what was taken from us.

"Ready to go, sweetheart?" I ask, taking his small hand in mine.

"Yes, Mommy." He looks up at me with those innocent blue eyes—Ethan's eyes. "Did the tall man like my spit?"

Despite everything, I laugh, a genuine moment of lightness in this dark game I'm playing. "I'm sure he did, baby. I'm sure he did."

As we walk through the lobby, I catch sight of our reflection in the polished marble walls—a beautiful woman in a power suit and a small boy who looks remarkably like the man we just left upstairs.

The perfect picture of a family.

Except families aren't built on revenge and secrets.

And I'm about to unleash a storm that might destroy us all.