Chapter 35 The Mystery of the Fifth Miniature Cross
?The flight back to the village was the quietest thirty minutes in aviation history.
?Arielle sat in the private jet, staring at the seatback in front of her.
Lucian sat across from her, looking like he was trying to solve a Rubik's Cube in his mind that only had one color.
The four sons were huddled in the back of the cabin, whispering like a group of Victorian gossips.
?"Statistically," Zayden whispered, "the probability of a fifth sibling existing without my knowledge is 0.
0004%. Unless... Dad, did you ever go to a 'research clinic' without telling Mom?
"
?Lucian let out a sound that was half-groan, half-sob.
"I can barely handle the four of you! Why would I want a fifth?
!"
?"Maybe for a spare?" Emrys suggested helpfully.
"You know, in case Rhett breaks."
?"I am not going to break," Rhett growled.
"But if this 'sister' is fake, I am going to be the one breaking the news to her. "
?The helicopter landed in the village square, kicking up enough dust to hide the shame of everyone involved.
As the dust settled, Arielle stepped out, her heels clicking against the stone path with the rhythm of a woman who was ready to fight a toddler.
?There, sitting on a wooden crate next to the Director, was a seven-year-old girl.
?She was wearing a miniature version of a power suit, holding a tiny tablet, and drinking what appeared to be an iced espresso.
She looked exactly like Lucian, but she had Arielle’s "I am judging your entire lineage" eyes.
?The Director ran over, sweating profusely.
"Arielle! Lucian! This is... she calls herself 'Mochi.
' She arrived by private car with a legal guardian and a folder full of DNA results!
"
?Arielle walked up to the girl. "Mochi?
"
?The girl looked up from her tablet, pushed her tiny glasses up the bridge of her nose, and sighed.
"Actually, my name is Arielle Junior. But you can call me AJ. I’m here because my trust fund was supposed to vest on my seventh birthday, and the bank told me the primary account holder was 'filming a reality show in a mud pit.
' I came to collect."
?Dead silence.
?The four sons stepped forward.
?"She has the attitude," Zayden noted, impressed.
"She has the hair," Rhett added, squinting.
"She has a tablet," Emrys whispered. "Is she... the final boss?"
?They moved the "Family Summit" to the communal kitchen.
Arielle sat across from the miniature version of herself, while Lucian stood in the corner, clutching his forehead.
?"Okay, 'AJ'," Arielle said, crossing her arms. "Where did you come from?
Because according to my memory and a very expensive medical history, there were only four boys.
"
?AJ took a slow, methodical sip of her espresso.
"I was a 'cryogenic oversight.' Apparently, when the merger happened, there was an extra embryo that was labeled 'Miscellaneous Office Expenses.
' I was thawed out seven years ago by a distant aunt who needed a tax write-off.
"
?Lucian choked. "Miscellaneous... OFFICE EXPENSES?
!"
?"It was a very efficient tax strategy at the time, Father," AJ said coolly.
"Anyway, Auntie got bored of me because I kept auditing her jewelry expenses, so she sent me here. Here is my birth certificate, my DNA profile, and my 5-year plan for the Cross Corporation."
?She slid a folder across the table.
?Zayden snatched it up, scanning it in three seconds. His eyes went wide. "Mom... the DNA is a 99.9% match. She’s... she’s our sister. And her 5-year plan is actually more profitable than Dad’s.
"
?Lucian slumped against the wall. "Great. I’ve been replaced by a seven-year-old in a blazer. "
?"If you're really our sister," Rhett said, looming over the small girl.
"You have to pass the 'Cross Brother Test'.
"
?AJ didn't blink. "Is it a physical test? Because I have a black belt in Taekwondo and I’m not afraid to sue for assault.
"
?"No," Rhett said, taken aback. "It’s.
.. you have to help us protect Mom from these two idiots.
" He pointed at Lucian and Lu Wei (who had been hovering by the door).
?AJ looked at Lucian. Then she looked at Lu Wei.
She looked back at her brothers.
?"The Actor is a 4/10 on the 'Stability Scale'," AJ analyzed.
"The Father is a 9/10 on 'Financial Resources' but a 2/10 on 'Emotional Intelligence.
' My recommendation is that we keep the Father for the funding and the Actor for the entertainment, but Mother should remain a single entity for tax purposes.
"
?Arielle burst out laughing. "I love her. She’s staying. "
?The four fiancées—Clara, Serena, Elise, and Fiona—walked in, hoping to see the "cute little sister.
"
?They saw AJ.
?AJ looked at them, then looked at her brothers.
"Are these the fiancées? The ones with the weak 'Personal Freedom' clauses?
"
?The girls froze.
?"I’ve reviewed your marriage contracts while waiting for the helicopter," AJ said, pulling up a spreadsheet.
"Clara, your pre-nup is insulting. Serena, your 'infidelity' clause is too vague. Elise, you’re just here for the cookies. Fiona, you have potential. I’ll be redrafting all of your documents by the morning.
My fee is 2% of the total settlement."
?The four girls looked at Arielle.
?"She’s a genius," Serena whispered, her eyes shining with tears of joy. "She’s a tiny, terrifying genius."
?That night, the Director insisted they film a "Family Bedtime" scene for the fans.
?The four giant sons were trying to tuck AJ into a small village bed.
?"Do you want a lullaby?" Emrys asked, holding a teddy bear.
?"I want a briefing on the Asian markets," AJ replied, pulling her duvet up to her chin.
?"Do you want a glass of milk?" Rhett asked.
?"Is it oat milk? I’m lactose intolerant and I have a meeting with the village mayor at 6 AM about the zoning laws for the new library," AJ said.
?Lucian walked in, looking hopeful. "Goodnight, daughter.
"
?AJ looked at him. "Goodnight, Office Expense.
Make sure you don't oversleep. Your stock is down 0.2 points. It’s embarrassing.
"
?Lucian walked out, sobbing quietly into his hands.
?THE FAMILY IS COMPLETE! ????
We have a seven-year-old CEO in the making, and she’s already roasting everyone! But wait... THE PROTOTYPE?! Who is the woman in the video?! ??
?Highlights of this chapter:
?AJ (Mochi) officially became the smartest person in the room. ??
?Lucian is now officially an "Office Expense." ????
?The Sons have a sister to protect/be intimidated by. ???
?The Cliffhanger: A shadowy organization is coming for the "Prototype"?! ????♂???
?I NEED YOUR SUPPORT TO PROTECT THE TINY CEO!
??
? VOTE if you want to see AJ fire the Director next!
? COMMENT "TEAM MOCHI" to show your love for the new sister!
? FOLLOW me for the next chapter—it’s going to be an all-out war between Arielle and the "Medical Facility" goons!