Chapter 8: The Second Test

Coralie's POV

The Livingstone Hotels flagship on Elliott Bay had a lobby with a glass roof.

Its logo hung on a navy banner as tall as a house.

It was a lighthouse in silver thread, with a beam of light slanting across it.

I had seen that exact lighthouse the night before, on the ring Winslow wore.

I thought it was a coincidence.

I didn't have time to think about it twice.

Around two hundred staff stood in rows under the glass.

A dozen reporters stood by the doors with their phones up.

They were there for the ribbon-cutting on the new west wing.

Brynn stood at Dalton's left in a cream dress.

Colton stood at his right.

The other brothers lined up behind them.

Mr. and Mrs. Livingstone were in the front row, side by side, not touching.

Winslow stood at the back of the crowd with his hands in his pockets.

He had promised not to say a word unless I asked.

"Thank you for coming," said Dalton.

He did not look at me.

"Before the ribbon, I have a short family announcement."

"Three months ago a hospital review suggested that my sister Brynn was not related to my father by blood."

The room rustled.

"We commissioned a second test through the clinic that handles our executive screenings."

"It found the first result to be a laboratory error."

He lifted a folder.

"Brynn is a Livingstone. She always was."

Applause started.

It was ragged at first and then loud.

Staff clapped, and the reporters lowered their phones to clap with them.

Brynn pressed both hands to her mouth.

"And the young woman in the first report," said Dalton, lifting his eyes at last, "is not related to this family at all."

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