Chapter 4 - The Secret Heir
The blinding halogen lights of the armored trucks illuminated the dark, desolate highway like a grim interrogation room.
Our disabled vehicle slowly rolled to a complete stop, securely trapped between the heavy barricades.
"She remotely hacked the vehicle's central computer system," Nathaniel growled, punching the steering wheel in deep frustration.
I frantically pulled on the door handles, but the heavy electronic locks refused to budge even an inch.
Dozens of armed mercenaries dressed in unmarked black tactical gear began pouring out of the trucks.
They advanced slowly toward our trapped SUV, their assault rifles raised and pointed directly at the windshield.
"What do they want from us?" I asked, tears of pure panic streaming down my face.
Nathaniel turned around in his seat, looking at Lily with an expression of profound, protective tenderness.
"They do not want anything from you, Elena, they only want her," he revealed softly.
I stared at him in absolute shock, completely unable to comprehend why heavily armed men would want a housekeeper's child.
"Why would a billionaire's enemies care about a poor maid's daughter?" I demanded desperately.
Nathaniel took a deep breath, his striking gray eyes locking onto mine with absolute sincerity.
"Because she is not just a maid's daughter anymore, Elena."
"A month ago, when I realized Vanessa's father was planning to seize my assets, I secretly drafted a new will."
"I legally adopted Lily in a private offshore court, making her the sole heir to the entire Cross Meridian fortune."
My jaw dropped open as the sheer magnitude of his confession washed over me.
"You made my daughter a billionaire without even asking my permission?" I gasped.
"It was the only way to ensure the money remained untouchable by Vanessa's corrupt legal team," he explained urgently.
Suddenly, the deafening sound of shattering glass echoed through the cabin.
One of the mercenaries had smashed the driver's side window with the heavy steel butt of his rifle.
The man reached inside to unlock the doors, but Nathaniel moved with explosive, impossible speed.
He grabbed the mercenary's wrist, twisted it brutally until the bone snapped, and pulled the man's sidearm from its holster.
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Nathaniel fired three rapid shots through the broken window, dropping the closest attackers to the wet asphalt.
"Kick the back window out right now!" Nathaniel ordered, tossing me a heavy metal emergency hammer from the console.
