It was a clever idea for his blackmailer to add the birth registration in the article. If only Austin knew where his original birth registration was, but his father hid the documents away in his study, and Austin was not allowed to go back to the estate until the courts ordered him to.
A knock sounded at the door suddenly. Austin pinched the bridge of his nose as his frustration built.
What is it now?
“Enter,” Austin grunted without looking up.
Ryan, the footman, stepped inside. His posture was stiff, and his expression uneasy. “Your Grace… pardon the interruption.”
Austin lifted his brow at once. “What is it?”
“There is a visitor.”
Austin frowned. Nobody was aware of their new location because they kept it discreet. “A visitor?”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Austin rose slowly from his chair. “But no one knows where we are.”
Ryan glanced over his shoulder, then back again, and he spoke softly. “He… asked for you by name.”
“Speak up,” Austin snapped. “Who is it?”
Ryan swallowed as his eyes darted nervously towards Austin’s. “Your Grace, the man claims to be… your stepbrother.”
The room seemed to tilt as Austin processed this information.
He eventually let out a short, humorless laugh. “Do not be a fool, Ryan. You know very well that I have no siblings.”
Ryan nodded quickly. “Yes, Your Grace. I said as much. But he insisted. He said that he has proof.”
Anger flared sharply and suddenly, Austin clenched his fists at his side. He had no time for jests, and yet some brave fool chose to challenge him now. “Proof of what?”
Ryan shifted his weight. “He did not say, Your Grace. Only that you would understand once you saw him.”
Austin stared at the door as his mind raced.
A stepbrother?
Austin feared it may be a trap, but even so, if it was the blackmailer, he would finally catch him. “Bring him in,” Austin said at last.
Ryan hesitated. “Your Grace?—”
“Now,” he demanded.
Ryan bowed and hurried out of the study.
Austin paced the length of the room, his boots striking the floor in sharp, restless steps.
Who the devil could this be?
The door opened again before his thoughts overtook him.
Ryan returned, followed by a man Austin had never seen before.
“Hello,brother,” the stranger said with a thick French accent.
Austin froze.
