#Chapter 49: Dealbreaker

Liam’s POV I was halfway through reviewing a contract when a soft knock echoed on my office door. Before I could look up, my assistant stepped inside. Her usual brisk and efficient manner was muted, almost hesitant. That wasn’t a good sign. “Liam,” she started, holding a thin file folder in her hands. “There’s something you need to see.” I set the contract aside, giving her my full attention. “What is it?” She approached my desk, her expression serious as she handed me the file. “I did some digging, like you asked... about Joe.” The weight of her words hit me immediately. I had asked her to look into Joe’s birth records, hoping to confirm what I already suspected. My stomach tightened as I opened the file, scanning the document inside. No father listed. I looked up at her, my fingers tightening around the paper. “No father?” Ava shook her head. “It’s not just that. The records are... incomplete. There’s no name for the father, and the rest of the details are vag