Chapter 5 - THE BLOOD TEST
The wedding marriage was not consummated.
That detail would later matter emotionally more than legally.
Julien moved into another wing.
Élise remained in guest suite under police protection.
They could barely look at each other.
If Isabelle was telling truth, their marriage had become nightmare.
Camille ordered private DNA testing through accredited laboratory with chain-of-custody supervised by investigators.
Samples:
Élise.
Étienne unavailable.
But archived personal items? Better Philippe remains deceased and possible sample unavailable. They can compare Élise with Camille/Julien for expected first-cousin relationship and Isabelle's family. Kinship testing could assess.
Results required days.
During wait, Élise changed.
No designer gown.
No demands.
She apologized individually to château staff.
Especially waitress she had interrogated.
Then she found Camille in library.
“I need to apologize.”
“You already did.”
“Not properly.”
Camille closed book.
Élise stood.
“I threw food at you because I thought you were beneath me.”
“Yes.”
“I wanted people to see me humiliate you.”
“Yes.”
“I was jealous because staff respected you without knowing why.”
Camille listened.
“I am sorry.”
“Thank you.”
“Can you forgive me?”
“Eventually, perhaps.”
Élise nodded.
No demand.
Then:
“If Julien and I…”
She couldn't finish.
Camille understood.
“We wait for facts.”
“I don't know who I am anymore.”
“You are not DNA result.”
Élise looked at her.
“After everything, how can you say that?”
“Because my family spent generations confusing blood with entitlement.”
That sentence became central.
Meanwhile police traced Étienne’s financial network.
He had spent decade living between Geneva, Monaco, Dubai.
Not hiding.
Operating through aliases and intermediaries.
He remained beneficial owner of several companies tied fraudulent loan.
Why return now?
Because hidden assets under vineyard were about to be formally cataloged through restitution project.
Camille’s upcoming international event would have announced discovery of first group of artworks and deeds.
Étienne needed stop it.
Wedding gave access.
Guests.
Vendors.
Vehicles.
Isabelle arranged contractors.
Someone planted flash drive in bridal safe.
Why?
To frame Élise?
Or ensure Camille found evidence?
Maybe Isabelle wanted exposure.
Police asked.
She said she planted drive.
“Why?”
“I wanted Camille to find it.”
“Why not deliver?”
“Étienne watches everything.”
“You tried leave with cash.”
“I was running.”
“From whom?”
“Étienne.”
Isabelle had participated in fraud for decades but recently wanted out.
When Élise announced engagement to Julien, Isabelle panicked because she believed Étienne was her father.
She begged Élise cancel without explaining.
Élise refused.
Why didn't Isabelle reveal?
Shame.
Fear.
And because Étienne threatened Philippe’s legacy.
Then horrifying twist.
DNA results arrived.
Camille, Julien, Élise, attorneys sat together.
Doctor spoke.
“The results do not support expected biological relationship if Étienne Laurent were Élise’s father.”
Julien exhaled.
Élise cried.
Not cousins.
But who was father?
Further comparison found surprising relationship.
Élise shared markers suggesting Antoine Laurent could be her biological father.
Everyone froze.
Camille stared.
“My father?”
If true, Élise would be Julien’s half-sister—worse.
But wait test could show half-sibling relationship between Élise and Julien directly. Yes.
Doctor:
“The probability that Julien and Élise share one biological parent is greater than 99.9 percent.”
Julien stood so fast chair fell.
Élise screamed:
“No!”
Camille could barely process.
Élise and Julien were half siblings.
Their wedding had unknowingly joined children of Antoine.
Isabelle lied that Étienne father.
Why?
She eventually confessed.
She had affair with both brothers.
Antoine first.
Before Geneviève? During marriage perhaps.
Philippe knew Élise wasn't his but raised her.
Antoine may never have known.
Étienne suspected.
Years later he used suspicion to control Isabelle.
Did Antoine discover before death?
The ledger contained letter.
Police found sealed envelope marked For Élise Fournier.
Written by Antoine one week before death.
He knew.
If the medical information I received is correct, you may be my daughter. I have not approached you because you are a child and Philippe is your father in every way that matters. I intend to establish a protected trust for your future without disturbing your home.
Élise collapsed.
Antoine had known.
He planned provide.
Étienne discovered letter.
If Élise acknowledged as Antoine's daughter, she could become another heir and complicate control.
Was this why he wanted Antoine dead?
More likely hidden assets.
But connection.
Julien walked outside and vomited.
Their marriage was over immediately.
No hatred.
No blame.
Just horror.
Camille sat beside Élise while she sobbed.
Hours earlier bride had thrown cake at Camille.
Now Camille held her hand.
“You didn't know.”
Neither did Julien.
French law prohibits marriage between siblings, so marriage would be annulled/void. We can keep generic legal counsel says court would address invalid marriage.
Julien refused speak to Élise for two days—not blame, shock.
Then he finally entered library.
Élise stood.
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“Everything.”
“You didn't know.”
“Neither did you.”
They cried.
Their romantic future ended.
But this wasn't ending.
Because Camille realized something.
If Élise was Antoine’s daughter, she might legally share inheritance.
Élise heard and immediately said:
“I don't want your château.”
Camille almost smiled.
“You threw cake at owner and became owner.”
Élise laughed through tears despite horror.
Then serious:
“I don't want anything.”
“Again, facts first.”
Camille reviewed father’s trust papers.
Antoine had drafted codicil days before death.
Never executed.
But he created separate account for Élise.
Value then: €1.8 million.
Current value?
Missing.
Transferred three days after Antoine’s death.
By whom?
Geneviève.
Camille stared at mother.
“You knew Élise was Father’s daughter.”
Geneviève closed eyes.
“Yes.”
“And you stole trust he created for her.”
Geneviève whispered:
“Yes.”
Camille had spent week believing Étienne was center of every betrayal.
May you like
Now their own mother had just admitted stealing from the bride Camille had defended.
And Geneviève’s reason would expose the ugliest secret yet.
