Chapter 8: The Hidden Bloodline

Sabrina stared at the birth certificate in disbelief.

"Arthur... Ford?" she whispered.

Her hands trembled uncontrollably.

There had to be some mistake.

Arthur Ford was Sebastian's grandfather.

How could his name appear as her father?

She quickly turned to the next page of the notebook.

Arthur's handwriting continued.

"If you have reached this page, you've already seen the birth certificate."

"Don't panic."

"The document is incomplete."

"I am not your biological father."

"I only registered you under my protection after your parents disappeared."

Sabrina released a shaky breath.

Her racing heart slowly calmed.

She continued reading.

"Your real father was my closest friend."

"Because of one terrible decision I made, he lost his life."

"Your mother begged me to protect you before she disappeared."

"I failed her."

Tears rolled down Sabrina's face.

"Mom..."

"You knew Grandpa all along..."

Before she could finish reading, someone knocked on her bedroom door.

"Young Madam," the butler said.

"Chairman is asking for you."

She quickly hid the notebook inside her drawer.

Arthur looked much weaker than before.

"Sit down, child," he said softly.

"Grandpa... did you write this notebook?"

Arthur nodded slowly.

"Yes."

"Why didn't you tell me the truth sooner?"

"Because someone has been watching us for years."

"If they knew you were alive... they would've killed you."

Sabrina's face turned pale.

"Who?"

"The people behind your imprisonment."

"The same people who murdered your parents."

Before Arthur could continue, Sebastian entered the room.

"Grandpa, the board meeting is about to begin."

Arthur immediately changed the subject.

"We'll continue this another time."

Sabrina understood.

Whatever secret Arthur was hiding... even Sebastian didn't know it.

Meanwhile, at Ford Group Headquarters, the board meeting turned hostile.

One director stood up confidently.

"Mr. Ford, your recent accident has damaged investor confidence."

"Perhaps it's time someone else temporarily manages the company."

Sebastian looked at him coldly.

"Are you challenging my position?"

"I'm protecting the shareholders."

Several directors quietly nodded.

Sebastian instantly realized someone had planned this.

The accident...

The board meeting...

Everything was connected.

His assistant suddenly entered.

"Mr. Ford, urgent news."

"Speak."

"We've identified who paid Lucas Grant before his death."

"Who?"

"The money came through a shell company owned by... the Lynn Group."

"As expected," Sebastian murmured.

"Prepare legal action."

"There's more."

"The transaction was personally approved by Tiffany Lynn."

Sebastian's eyes narrowed dangerously.

"Interesting."

"Very interesting."

That afternoon, Sabrina received an unexpected phone call.

"Miss Scott?"

"Who is this?"

"My name is Emily."

"I worked as your mother's nurse many years ago."

"I have something that belongs to you."

Sabrina immediately stood up.

"Where are you?"

"Saint Mary's Church."

"Please come alone."

An hour later, Sabrina arrived at the quiet church.

An elderly woman was waiting near the entrance.

"You're exactly like your mother," Emily smiled sadly.

She handed Sabrina a small wooden box.

"Your mother asked me to keep this until you were old enough."

"What's inside?"

"The answers you've been searching for."

Before Sabrina could open it, a black SUV suddenly stopped outside the church.

Three masked men stepped out.

"Take the box!" one of them shouted.

Emily pushed Sabrina backward.

"Run!"

The elderly woman was knocked to the ground.

Sabrina clutched the wooden box tightly and ran through the church courtyard.

The masked men chased after her.

"Don't let her escape!"

Her heart pounded violently.

She had nowhere to hide.

Suddenly, a black Rolls-Royce screeched to a stop in front of the church.

Sebastian stepped out.

"Get in the car!" he shouted.

Without hesitation, Sabrina jumped inside.

The driver accelerated instantly.

The masked men were left behind.

Inside the moving car, neither of them spoke for several moments.

Finally, Sebastian looked at the wooden box in Sabrina's lap.

"They're chasing you because of that?"

Sabrina nodded slowly.

"I think so."

"Open it."

With trembling fingers, she unlocked the tiny latch.

Inside was an old family photograph...

A gold necklace...

And a sealed envelope addressed to:

"My beloved daughter, Sabrina."

Before she could open the letter, Sebastian noticed something attached to the back of the photograph.

His expression suddenly changed.

"Impossible..."

"I've seen this man before."

"Who is he?" Sabrina asked.

Sebastian stared silently at the smiling man standing beside Sabrina's mother.

Then he whispered words that changed everything.

"That's the man my father always called... his greatest enemy."