Chapter 13 - ARTHUR’S REAL PROJECT
Ryan looked as though someone had betrayed him from beyond the grave.
Michael explained.
Project Orion had begun as medical research.
Arthur suffered from a rare hereditary neurological condition.
He feared passing it to future children.
So he created a private program to study the Harrison genetic line.
Not to control heirs.
To protect them.
Charles took over after Arthur died.
Then Orion changed.
Health research became genetic ownership verification.
Inheritance tracking.
Fertility interference.
Corporate control.
Arthur had created the key.
Charles turned it into a weapon.
“Did Arthur know Ryan existed?”
I asked.
Michael nodded.
“He met him.”
Ryan stared.
“I was a baby.”
“You were eleven months old when Arthur died.”
Michael opened a file.
Inside was a photograph of Arthur holding infant Ryan.
The resemblance was unmistakable.
Ryan touched the picture.
“My father.”
The word sounded unfamiliar.
Michael slid over another page.
Arthur had amended the family trust one week before his death.
It stated that no guardian could interfere with Ryan’s future marriage or reproductive decisions.
Arthur must have feared Charles.
Then came the most important document.
A handwritten note.
If anything happens to me, protect Ryan from Charles.
Ryan closed his eyes.
“Who received this?”
Michael answered.
“My father.”
“And did he protect me?”
“He tried.”
“What happened?”
“He died six months later.”
Silence.
Julia immediately requested both death files.
The pattern was becoming impossible to dismiss.
Anyone who stood between Charles and control seemed to disappear.
Then Michael looked at me.
“There is another reason Charles feared you.”
“My patents?”
“No.”
“You.”
I frowned.
“You were the first person Ryan ever trusted more than Charles.”
Ryan looked at me.
Michael continued.
“Charles monitored every serious relationship Ryan had.”
“He pushed women away.”
“Paid some.”
“Intimidated others.”
“But you were different.”
“You had your own career.”
“Your own reputation.”
“And Ryan listened to you.”
Charles feared losing control long before we married.
The forged affair did not start with jealousy.
It started with strategy.
That evening, Ryan and I walked along Lake Michigan.
The boys were with Rachel.
For once, nobody followed us.
Ryan said,
“Michael was right.”
“About what?”
“I trusted you more than him.”
“Then why believe the photographs?”
“Because Charles knew exactly where to hit me.”
“My fear that everyone close to me wanted the Harrison name.”
I looked at him.
“I never wanted it.”
“I know.”
“You didn’t then.”
“I should have.”
A long silence passed.
Then Ryan said,
“I still love you.”
I stopped walking.
He immediately continued.
“I’m not asking you to say anything back.”
“Good.”
“I’m not asking you to forgive me.”
“Good.”
“I just refuse to lie to you again.”
Before I could answer, my phone rang.
Rachel.
She sounded terrified.
“Emily, come home.”
“What happened?”
“The boys are fine.”
“But someone broke into your office.”
My heart stopped.
“What did they take?”
Rachel answered.
May you like
“Only one thing.”
“The boys’ DNA reports.”
