Chapter 12 - Daniel Voss Comes Back.
Daniel Voss was no longer missing once Luca knew exactly what to search for.
He had changed states, left corporate work, and opened a small bookkeeping firm outside Charleston under his middle name.
Maya advised Luca not to contact him directly because the documents might support civil or criminal allegations.
Luca agreed for almost six hours.
Then Daniel called him first.
The number appeared as private.
Luca answered from his office with Maya listening on speakerphone.
Mr. Moretti, I heard you found Vale's box.
Luca's voice turned cold.
How did you hear that?
Because your mother called me last night.
Maya wrote a note telling Luca to keep him talking.
What did she want?
She wanted to know whether I had kept copies.
Did you?
Daniel sighed.
Yes.
Luca looked at Maya.
Why was your son's DNA used in a report with Noah's name?
For a moment, Daniel said nothing.
Then he gave the answer Luca had been waiting seven years to hear.
Because Evelyn needed a guaranteed exclusion result.
Nia, who was listening from Maya's conference room, closed her eyes.
Daniel continued.
Caleb Reed was supposed to provide an item from Noah for testing.
He brought a pacifier, but Evelyn did not trust the chain of custody.
She said uncertainty was unacceptable.
So she ordered you to substitute your son's sample?
Daniel's voice dropped.
Yes.
Why would you agree?
Because I had just learned my wife was leaving, my son needed surgery, and Evelyn offered to cover every medical bill plus a year of salary.
That doesn't excuse it.
I know.
For the first time, Daniel sounded less defensive than exhausted.
I have known for six years that it doesn't excuse it.
Maya asked whether Daniel would provide a sworn statement and the original documents.
He hesitated.
Then he asked for protection from retaliation and time to retain counsel.
They agreed to let his attorney contact Maya within twenty-four hours.
Before ending the call, Luca asked one final question.
Did my mother ever tell you why she cared so much?
Daniel was quiet.
She said Nia would ruin the succession plan.
What succession plan?
The one involving Claire Benson's family.
Luca stared at the speakerphone.
Claire and I were not dating then.
No.
Daniel answered.
But your mother and Claire's father were already discussing a long-term alliance between your companies.
Claire's name had appeared in those conversations years before Luca ever asked her to dinner.
The revelation made his recent relationship feel manipulated in a way that was unfair to both of them.
After the call, Luca drove to Claire's apartment.
She let him in but remained standing.
If this is about getting back together, the answer is no.
It isn't.
Luca told her about Daniel's claim.
Claire listened without interruption.
When he finished, she walked to a cabinet and removed a folder.
My father gave me this after our second date.
Inside was a proposed strategic partnership between Benson Capital and Moretti Holdings.
A handwritten note from Claire's father mentioned strengthening ties through the next generation.
The date was seven years old.
Claire looked angry rather than shocked.
So our parents were planning our relationship before we had one.
It appears that way.
Claire laughed once, bitterly.
I thought your mother liked me.
Luca looked at the folder.
She liked what you represented.
Claire's eyes met his.
And what did Nia represent?
A choice my mother couldn't control.
Claire sat down for the first time.
Then stop treating this like a family argument.
What do you mean?
She didn't only hide a pregnancy.
She designed your life around a business plan.
Luca had no answer.
His phone rang again.
This time it was Nia.
Her voice was urgent.
Luca, someone came to the children's school asking to see their records.
His body went rigid.
Who?
The school refused because the person wasn't authorized.
But the office manager copied the identification he presented.
May you like
Nia took a breath.
It was Caleb Reed.
