The air in the boardroom crackled with tension, the silence punctuated only by the rhythmic ticking of a grandfather clock in the corner. Ophelia’s demand hung heavy in the air, a gauntlet thrown down, a challenge to Brooke and Lottie’s carefully constructed narrative.
"A DNA test?" Lottie exclaid, her voice laced with incredulity. "Are you serious? We already brought tests from a reputable testing center."
Brooke’s face flushed crimson, her eyes flashing with anger. "This is outrageous!" she spat, her voice trembling with indignation. "This is a conspiracy! You are trying to strip of my rightful inheritance!"
Ophelia remained impassive, her expression a mask of cool indifference. She leaned back in her chair, her gaze unwavering, her posture radiating an air of calm authority.
"It is a simple request," she said, her voice smooth and asured. "A standard procedure in cases of contested inheritance. We simply want to ensure that all parties are satisfied with the outco."
"Satisfied?" Lottie scoffed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "We are not here to be satisfied! We are here to claim what’s rightfully Brooke’s!"
"And we are here to ensure that the inheritance goes to the rightful heir," Ophelia countered, her voice firm. "A DNA test, conducted under strict supervision from both parties, is the most efficient way to achieve that."
Brooke’s anger reached its peak. She stood up, her chair scraping against the polished floor, her eyes blazing with fury. "This is an insult!" she scread, her voice echoing through the boardroom. "I won’t tolerate this! I won’t be treated like so... so criminal!"
"Brooke, darling, calm down," Lottie said, her voice laced with a hint of panic. She reached out and placed a hand on Brooke’s arm, trying to soothe her.
"No, Lottie," Brooke hissed, her voice trembling with rage. "I’m not going to calm down! They are trying to humiliate ! They’re trying to steal my future!"
She turned to Ophelia, her eyes filled with venom. "You think you can get away with this?" she sneered. "You think you can stop ? I will see you in court! I’ll sue you for everything you’ve got!"
She stord out of the boardroom, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor, her anger propelling her forward. Lottie, her face flushed with a mixture of anger and anxiety, followed close behind.
"This is ridiculous!" she muttered, her voice laced with frustration. "They are treating us like... like we’re frauds!"
Mr. Finch, their lawyer, remained seated, his expression thoughtful. He watched as Brooke and Lottie disappeared down the hallway, his mind weighing the implications of Ophelia’s demand.
He turned to the Welhaven family lawyers, his expression calm and professional. "I understand your client’s concerns," he said, his voice asured. "But I must emphasize that we have presented ample evidence to support Ms. Chadwick’s claim."
"Evidence that can be easily fabricated," one of the Welhaven family lawyers countered, her voice sharp. "A verifiable DNA test is the only way to establish the truth."
Mr. Finch nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I understand," he said. "I will discuss this with my clients and inform you of their decision."
He stood up, his movents deliberate, his eyes fixed on the empty doorway. He knew that Brooke and Lottie would be furious, that they would view the DNA test as a personal attack. But he also knew that it was the most expedient way to resolve the issue, to establish Brooke’s claim once and for all.
He found Brooke and Lottie in the waiting area, their faces flushed with anger, their voices hushed with indignation.
"They want to take a DNA test," Brooke hissed, her voice trembling with rage. "They think I’m lying!"
"It’s an outrage!" Lottie exclaid, her voice laced with fury. "They’re trying to humiliate us!"
Mr. Finch cleared his throat, his voice calm and reassuring. "Ladies," he said, "I understand your frustration. But I believe that a DNA test is the most efficient way to resolve this matter."
Brooke and Lottie turned to him, their eyes filled with disbelief. "Are you even serious?" Brooke asked, her voice laced with incredulity. "You want to take their DNA test?"
"It’s the easiest way to prove your claim, Ms. Anderson," Mr. Finch explained, his voice patient. "It will eliminate any doubt and expedite the process of transferring the inheritance."
"But it’s an insult!" Brooke protested, her voice rising in pitch. "They’re treating like a criminal!"
"It’s not about treating you like a criminal, Ms. Chadwick," Mr. Finch said, his voice firm. "It’s about establishing the truth. And a DNA test is the most reliable way to do that."
"What if they decide to connive with the test center?" Brooke asked, stamping her feet. "I am sure they will try any sches just to make sure they deprive of what is mine."
Mr Finch sighed in exasperation. "That is why they have asked that both camps be present."
Lottie, her expression thoughtful, placed a hand on Brooke’s arm. "He is right, darling," she said, her voice soft. "It’s just a formality. We have nothing to hide."
Brooke hesitated, her anger warring with her desire to claim the inheritance. She knew that Lottie was right. A DNA test would silence their critics, would solidify their claim. But she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was being unfairly targeted, that she was being treated with suspicion.
She wondered how they were going to pull off this scam with everyone watching? She wanted to ask Lottie what they were going to do, but she couldn’t, not right then in the attorney’s presence.
She exchanged a nervous glance with Lottie, her eyes filled with uncertainty. They had always relied on deception and manipulation, on carefully crafted lies and fabricated evidence. A DNA test would expose their carefully constructed facade, would reveal the truth they had worked so hard to conceal.
"Fine," Brooke said finally, her voice laced with a hint of resignation. "But I want to be sure no one is cheating."
"Of course, Ms. Chadwick," Mr. Finch said, his expression reassuring. "We will ensure that the process is conducted fairly and transparently."
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