THE STARDUST FORTUNE

Chapter 28: Hidden Agendas

"Your father was brilliant, but reckless." Professor Kane's office smelled of old books and coffee. "Just like you, Alex."

"You knew my father?" Alex leaned forward. "My real father?"

"David Conway? Of course. He was my best student, then my colleague." Kane pulled out an old photograph. "This was taken the day before he disappeared."

The photo showed a younger Kane with a man who looked startlingly like Alex, standing in front of a massive terraforming chamber.

"Mom never talks about him."

"Sarah probably thinks she's protecting you." Kane's expression darkened. "Or she's protecting herself."

"From what?"

"From the truth about Project Genesis." Kane pulled out a worn notebook. "Your father's last project."

"The terraforming initiative?"

"That's what Eleanor Drake wanted everyone to believe." Kane's voice dropped. "But David discovered something else. Something in the soil samples."

The office door opened. Eleanor stood there, her white glow pulsing with barely contained anger.

"Profe