Chapter 526 - 122 Devastating Lab Results

Chapter 526: Chapter 122 Devastating Lab Results

Daniel’s POV

Beckett sat across from me in the sterile laboratory office, his face drained of color as shock rendered him speechless. Beside him, Katarina had gone completely still, as if the very air had been sucked from her lungs. My stomach churned with dread as Beckett passed me the laboratory report with trembling hands. I stared at the results, my mind reeling against the impossible truth printed before me.

"Positive? This cannot be accurate. Lila cannot possibly be that viper’s daughter!" The notion that Lila shared blood with that manipulative witch was utterly inconceivable to me. After years of navigating the treacherous waters of both law enforcement and family politics, I thought I had seen every possible betrayal and deception our world could offer.

When Beckett first voiced his suspicions about Lila’s true parentage, the theory had seemed ludicrous. But as evidence mounted and pieces of the puzzle clicked into place, the terrifying possibility became increasingly plausible. Now I held undeniable proof in my hands - a DNA analysis confirming that Lila was indeed Claire’s biological offspring, not the switched child we had desperately hoped to find.

"This is absolutely impossible, Daniel," Beckett’s voice shattered with raw emotion. "Lila cannot be the daughter of that poisonous woman. Look at how perfectly she resembles our mother. You have seen the vintage photographs from the family archives." Tears carved tracks down his weathered face as overwhelming despair consumed him. I felt equally devastated by this revelation.

Katarina rose gracefully from her leather chair and approached the reception counter with purposeful strides. Several tense minutes later, she returned accompanied by the laboratory’s chief supervisor. The distinguished gentleman settled into the chair beside us and patiently explained that their genetic testing procedures were state-of-the-art with virtually no possibility for error. Beckett remained stubbornly unconvinced. He retrieved his phone and displayed comparative photographs of both Lila and his deceased mother to the lab director.

"Are you absolutely certain there exists no possibility of laboratory error? Could the striking resemblance between these two women simply be extraordinary coincidence?" Beckett challenged as the supervisor carefully studied the digital images.

"Perhaps the young lady’s mother bears a remarkable similarity to the woman in this photograph," the supervisor suggested diplomatically. Beckett immediately displayed Claire’s picture on his screen. "I see the distinction now. These two women share no physical resemblance whatsoever. If you harbor concerns about accuracy, we can conduct a secondary test at no additional charge, though we would require fresh samples. Ideally from both women directly."

"One of these women died many years ago," Beckett replied, slumping back into his chair with defeated resignation.

"Oh absolutely not, Beckett Sullivan. I recognize that expression - do not you dare surrender now!" Katarina warned with fierce determination blazing in her eyes.

"Lucinda, I cannot return to that fortress-like mansion. I cannot possibly obtain another sample without raising Claire’s suspicions," Beckett attempted to reason with his formidable wife.

"What are the statistical chances that samples were accidentally mixed up within your laboratory’s processing system?" Katarina fixed the facility director with a penetrating stare that could intimidate seasoned mafia soldiers.

"Practically impossible, Mrs. Sullivan. Our security protocols and chain-of-custody procedures are extraordinarily stringent. If such a catastrophic mistake had occurred, it would be absolutely devastating to our reputation. We would be obligated to reprocess every single test that was handled alongside this particular sample. Complete organizational chaos would ensue," he explained with obvious professional pride.

"Then prepare your laboratory for chaos!" Katarina declared, rising dramatically from her seat. "I will personally deliver fresh samples to your facility." She accepted his business card with resolute determination and strode toward the exit. "Let us move, gentlemen!"

I exchanged meaningful glances with Beckett, who simply shrugged his shoulders in familiar resignation. We dutifully followed Katarina from the laboratory building. Unwavering determination radiated from her every calculated movement like an aura of lethal purpose.

"Listen very carefully to what I am telling you both. I will handle the DNA sample situation personally, and you two must focus your efforts on conducting a thorough investigation. We are going to liberate Lila from this demon’s clutches or I am not Katarina Barrett Sullivan!" she declared with the fierce intensity of a woman defending her family’s honor.

"How exactly does she plan to accomplish this seemingly impossible task?" I asked Beckett quietly while Katarina climbed into the driver’s seat of her luxury sedan.

"I have absolutely no idea, but you can bet your life she will somehow make it happen," Beckett replied with a mixture of admiration and trepidation, causing me to smile despite our dire circumstances.

"Then why do you appear so deeply worried?" I questioned, wondering why he was not more enthusiastic about his wife’s unshakeable confidence.

"Because when my wife commits herself to achieving the impossible, even the earth itself begins to tremble." I could not help but laugh at his dramatic assessment.

Back at my secure apartment, we had several hours before collecting the women from their respective offices. We utilized this time productively, discussing various strategies for permanently removing Claire from Lila’s life, though we seemed to be facing an insurmountable dead end at every turn.

My encrypted phone rang, displaying an unfamiliar number on the screen. "Hello?" I answered cautiously.

"Daniel, it is me." My stomach plummeted at the sound of Sasha’s slurred voice. "Do not hang up this call. I am absolutely desperate, Daniel, you cannot do this to me." Her words were barely coherent between hysterical sobs, clearly indicating she had been drinking heavily.

"Sasha, leave me alone! Find someone else to torment with your melodrama." I noticed Beckett and Katarina watching me intently from across the room.

"Daniel, I am deadly serious! This is not some pathetic joke. Either you come talk to me immediately, or I will kill myself!" she screamed with unhinged desperation.

"Go ahead then, Sasha! Do it! Just stop calling me!" I ended the call abruptly, my patience finally exhausted.

"Your former wife?" Beckett asked simply.

"Long complicated story, but Lila knows everything about the situation," I assured him. His expectant gaze made it clear he wanted complete details, so I explained the entire sordid affair.

"You should have informed me about this marriage from the beginning, Daniel. We are family now, and family does not keep such crucial secrets from one another," Beckett said with a mixture of disappointment and concern etching his features.

"I know, and I apologize for that oversight. The situation with Sasha has been a nightmare I preferred to keep buried," I admitted, running my hands through my hair in frustration.

"Speaking of family matters, how are things progressing with your father and Gregory’s collaborative efforts?" Beckett inquired, shifting our conversation toward more immediate concerns.

"Their partnership continues to strengthen. Gregory has proven invaluable in navigating the complex political landscape, and my father appreciates his strategic insights. The alliance benefits both our organizations significantly," I explained.

Beckett nodded thoughtfully. "Good. We will need all the political leverage we can muster to handle Claire’s eventual removal from Lila’s life."

A memory surfaced of Lila describing her confrontation with Sasha at the restaurant. The way she had handled my deranged ex-wife with such composure and authority had filled me with both pride and admiration. Lila possessed an inner strength that reminded me why I had fallen so completely in love with her.

My phone rang again from another unknown number. The voice that greeted me sent ice through my veins like a winter blade.

"Sir, I am the night manager at Summit Hotel. We discovered Miss Sasha Mendez unconscious in her suite. She appears to have mixed alcohol with prescription pills in potentially lethal amounts. There was a suicide note with your contact number. An ambulance transported her to the hospital, but paramedics indicate her condition is critical."

I listened in stunned silence, unable to believe she had actually followed through with her threat.

"What hospital?" I asked, already knowing I would have to go despite my hatred for the woman.

"Metropolitan General, sir. The emergency department."

Before I could respond, my phone buzzed with an incoming call. Lila’s name appeared on the screen.

"Daniel, Jude will be escorting Katarina and me home tonight. There have been some concerning developments at the office that require additional security measures," Lila informed me, her voice carrying the professional tone she used when discussing business matters.

"Understood. Beckett and I may be delayed this evening. I will explain everything when I see you," I replied, grateful that Jude would be there to protect her.