Chapter 3 - Sins of the Fathers
Elena froze, the champagne glass slipping from her grasp. It shattered against the flagstones, spraying golden liquid over her hem. ""What... what did you just say?""
""Don't play naive,"" Alexander said, stepping closer until his tall shadow enveloped her completely. The soft ambient lights of the ballroom backlit his silhouette, turning him into a menacing figure. ""You think I picked you up from the stairs out of the goodness of my heart? A billionaire playing savior to a neglected housewife?""
He let out a dry, bitter laugh that sent chills down her spine.
""Julian Vance married you because he thought your father died penniless, leaving only scraps,"" Alexander continued, his voice dropping an octave. ""He wanted you as an obedient, pretty little ghost to keep his house while he climbed high society. But Julian doesn't know what Arthur Sterling was truly hiding.""
Elena’s head spun. Her maiden name—Sterling. It was a name she hadn't spoken since she was seven years old, tucked away in state-run foster homes with forged documents after her father's suspicious car accident.
""My father died with nothing,"" she stammered, backing away until her spine hit the balustrade. ""He left me a cracked locket and an empty bank account. I didn't even know who he worked for!""
""Arthur was the chief auditor for De Ville Enterprises,"" Alexander said, cornering her. ""The night he disappeared, five hundred million dollars and the encrypted ledger detailing my father's murder went with him. You survived the crash, Elena. And before Arthur took his last breath in that ICU, hospital records state he slipped something into your coat.""
""I was a child!"" she gasped, hot tears blurring her vision. ""I don't have your money! Julian took everything I owned anyway!""
""Then we have a problem,"" Alexander murmured, reaching out and tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. His fingers were warm, a terrifying contrast to his words. ""Because tomorrow morning, Julian files for divorce. He’s going to strip you of your name, your dignity, and throw you onto the streets with Clara taking your place.""
He paused, letting the reality sink into her raw nerves.
""Help me find that ledger,"" Alexander proposed softly. ""And I will give you everything Julian ever denied you: money, status, and absolute, devastating revenge.""
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Before Elena could answer, the glass doors banged open. Julian stood there, face flushed red with whiskey and fury. Behind him were two armed private guards.
""Get away from my wife, Alexander,"" Julian snarled, his hand reaching into his tuxedo jacket.
