All heads turned. Lynne strode forward, holding a stack of papers. "I have the DNA reports right here for everyone to see!"


    The announcement sent a shockwave through the hall.


    A sense of dread came over Ste, making her eyshes flutter.


    The crowd parted for Lynne, who marched onto the stage and pped the reports down on the table. The camera operator quickly zoomed in on the documents. First, Ste''s report with old Mrs. Cameron, then one with Skyler, and finally, one with Nora. The results of all three reports stated there was no biological rtionship.


    Lynne picked up the microphone. "I''m sure you''re all wondering how we obtained a DNA sample from my aunt Nora, who passed away so many years ago. As you all know, our family ces great importance on bloodlines. To prevent any confusion, every member of the Cameron family stores a blood sample for use in paternity tests when necessary."


    Lynne paused and instructed a server to distribute copies of the reports to the guests.


    As this happened, Ste''s heart sank. People were already receiving the copies and whispering amongst themselves.


    "Oh my god... it looks like this is real."


    "So was Ste switched at birth, or was she adopted?"


    "But Ste and Nora look so much alike. How could they not be mother and daughter?"


    "With stic surgery these days, you can look like anyone''s twin. That doesn''t prove anything."


    "Do you think... maybe Ste is Nora''s child with another man? I heard Nora was missing for several years, and Skyler only announced her death after he couldn''t find her."


    "Didn''t Lynne just say Ste and Nora have no biological connection? What if Ste was adopted?"


    "Maybe they''re just saying that to cover up Nora''s affair."


    "Wow, so she''s gone from the family darling to an orphan of unknown parentage overnight?"


    "If she''s not a Williams, can Skyler take back the shares he gave her?"


    "And Nora''s original shares were meant for her biological daughter. Her inheritance isn''t legitimate either, is it?"


    "Not necessarily. Even if Ste is an adopted daughter, Nora''s will is still legally valid."


    "Don''t you know? A will can be


    legally contested if it vites public policy. There''s a lot of room to


    maneuver there. Now that Ste is, neither a Williams nor a Cameron, it would be easy for both families to go after her."


    "If she''s Skyler''s daughter, he wouldn''t be so ruthless. But if she''s not... do you think he''d still show her mercy?"


    The surrounding chatter was like a


    steel needle piercing Ste''s ears. She looked up at Lynne, who was staring back at her with a triumphant smirk. By exposing this at ofd Mrs. Cameron''s birthday g, Lynne had ensured that even if Ste was Nora and Skyler''s true daughter, her identity would be forever clouded by suspicion. Once this news broke, her position at The Williams Group would be shaken. The Williams family might even use this as an excuse to force her to give up her shares.


    Despite the sudden assault, Ste''s expression remained calm andposed.


    She wasn''t one to simply stand by and ept her fate.


    "Lynne, when returned to the Williams family, we already conducted a DNA test. If I weren''t their daughter, do you think they would have weed me back, let alone given me shares based on my word alone? Are you suggesting that the entire Williams family is less thorough than you?"