Chapter 102
An Opening.
“No!” she yelled at the officer. “I don’t want to p>
“Why won’t she comply p>
“She must really be Victor’s daughter p>
People began talking, the whispers around Vanessa adding to her frustration. How could she, Vanessa Holt, the model and actress, loved by many, be humiliated this way?
“You really are Victor’s daughter,” Bianca cried. “Your refusal to cooperate says it all p>
“It’s not that I don’t want to comply. This could very well be a set-up!” Vanessa said. “I will call my lawyer first, and my parents p>
“You may contact your attorney, Miss Holt. The warrant remains in effect,” the officer said. Another police officer arrived, clearly a colleague.
“We will escort you to the hotel lobby,” the second officer said evenly. “You will remain there under supervision while we wait for your legal counsel. Until then, you are not permitted to leave. Any refusal to cooperate will be documented as noncompliance with a lawful court order p>
Then, almost as an afterthought, the police added, “As for your parents, officers served a warrant at your residence moments ago. They are currently searching for materials related to Victor Kline and the Holt family’s involvement p>
Murmurs erupted again.
“Oh, my God! The Holt family has secretly been involved with the Klines p>
“This will be the news of the year p>
At first, Vanessa was left speechless, but then she yelled, “You can’t do this to me! You just can’t. I am Vanessa Holt! We have power over the city p>
“Not anymore!” Nathaniel shot back. “You have lost influence over the years p>
Vanessa became frantic, but the officers did not budge. In the end, she had no choice but to follow them toward the hotel lobby.
As she walked, one thought screamed through her mind: If the DNA test happened… there would be no escaping it.
For the first time, Vanessa wondered whether all the lies she had lived by could still protect her… or if fate had finally cornered her.
She thought of Victor. ‘Dad, what am I going to do? Why did you have to leave? Who is going to protect me p>
Meanwhile, Nathaniel and Gavin, along with Sterling and Silas, did damage control. The press was gathered in another ballroom. Cameras were taken and inspected. Warnings were given, and expectations were set.
Reporters came clean, admitting they were tipped off by Vanessa’s talent manager.
“We are sorry, Mr. Thorne. We just thought if it involved the Klines, you wouldn’t mind p>
“Mr. Vander, we apologize. We didn’t know p>
“We are sorry, Mr. Vander p>
“What happened today shouldn’t have happened,” Nathaniel said to the journalists. “No one is allowed to publish anything on Serena or the Vanders p>
Nathaniel glanced at Sterling and Silas. They both nodded.
“You must be smart enough to report on what’s more important—the real daughter of Victor Kline,” Silas said, frowning.
“Our family values its privacy,” Sterling declared. “We don’t take ambushes lightly. However, if you’re willing to understand that certain events today did not happen, then we can come to an agreement p>
Sterling was referring to the slap and to the way Vanessa had been treated.
Nathaniel felt she deserved every bit of it. Still, he understood that actions had consequences. At the very least, they could ensure the press remained on their side. Moreover, the media had merely been misled by Vanessa’s party. “Yes, Mr. Vander p>
“We definitely know what to report on p>
“Then.” Nathaniel turned to the reporters. “You are free to go.
However, I do have expectations for tomorrow’s headlines. As for those covering our celebration party we will need an hour to compose ourselves before proceeding, given what happened p>
After dealing with the media, Nathaniel had to speak to his guests, the employees, and the executives. He confirmed everything from his previous marriage with Serena, her real identity, and his intentions to make up for his mistakes.
Timothy vanished. He would have to deal with him later.
Nathaniel then prioritized introducing Sterling and Silas to the Vice President and the new shareholder of Kline BioSolutions.
The Fitzgeralds had apparently been to the Novara Isles and had visited the Ellison farms. That was how the Fitzgeralds recognized Serena’s jade bangle.
“Don’t worry, Nathan,” Mrs. Fitzgerald said. She also smiled at Silas, adding, “We won’t say a thing to the outside. We understand. Vanessa came on too strong when, apparently, she was Victor’s daughter p>
“The DNA test still needs to be completed, but we are fully confident that she is his daughter. We have other evidence and supporting details that lead us to that conclusion,” Nathaniel added.
The Vice President extended his hand. “We’re sorry for what your family endured during your daughter’s disappearance. We’re glad she’s finally been found p>
“It wasn’t easy, but it’s all in the past
now. We are happy and have moved on,” Sterling said. “It’s a pleasure t
meet your in person, Mr. Whitl
We have been in the same room a few times at business events but this is the first time we have been. personally introduced p>
The Vice President chuckled. “I remember. I will never forget a person like you, Sterling Vander p>
Silas and Sterling lingered at the table where the Whitlocks and the Fitzgeralds sat. Nathaniel left them to momentarily attend to his mother.
Bianca was in another conference room, being attended by the hotel’s in-house nurse. Serena was with her, along with Bianca’s driver.
When Nathaniel walked in on them, Bianca’s tears had already dried. He could only imagine what had gone on between her and Serena. Regardless, Nathaniel was thankful that Serena had accompanied his mother.
“She’s stable, Mr. Thorne,” the nurse reported. “Her blood pressure has already gone down p>
When the nurse left, Bianca turned to Serena, still holding her hand. Her fingers trembled.
“Thank you… for staying with me,” Bianca said hoarsely. “I was so wrong about you. After everything did you’re still here, making sure I don’t carry this guilt to my grave.’ Her grip tightened. “I swear, Serena. I will make amends for every mistake I’ve made. Just… give me a chance p>
Serena did not answer at once. She blinked slowly, her gaze dropping to where their hands were joined. After a while, she said calmly, “I won’t stop you p>
It wasn’t forgiveness. But it was an opening a promise to watch, to remember, and
to judge by actions rather than words.
Nathaniel was optimistic, but later, after the celebrations had ended, a conversation with Sterling and Silas revealed how premature his hope had been.