Chapter 5 - A Debt in Full
Elena flipped through the audit reports. Rows of numbers, account ledgers, and secret shell corporations spanned hundreds of pages. She knew Diego’s family ran a major shipping logistics firm, but the numbers revealed a shocking truth.
"They're drowning in debt," Elena said, her eyes widening.
"Over eighty million dollars in unsecured short-term loans, Miss Sterling," Evelyn explained clinically. "The Vance family maintained their lavish lifestyle purely through credit lines provided by European banking consortiums. And as of forty minutes ago, your father purchased ninety percent of that debt."
Elena stared at the lawyer, stunned. "He bought their debt?"
"Mr. Sterling is now their primary creditor," Evelyn replied with a cold smile. "He has already triggered the acceleration clause due to suspected fraud. The Vance family has forty-eight hours to repay eighty-two million dollars in cash, or forfeit every asset they own—including the villa where they locked you outside last night."
The heavy oak door swung open, and Arthur walked in, holding a steaming cup of herbal tea. He set it on her bedside table, kissing her forehead.
"How is my grandchild today?" he asked warmly.
"The doctor says he is strong," Elena smiled softly, touching her stomach. Then, looking at the papers, she hesitated. "Father... Diego thought I was an orphan with nothing. That’s why he thought he could degrade me without consequence."
"A common mistake made by petty predators," Arthur said, pulling up a chair. "They prey on those they deem defenseless. But justice is not an emotion, Elena. It is a process. And I want you to decide how the process ends."
Elena looked down at her bruised wrists where Diego had gripped her violently just twenty-four hours earlier. She remembered the cold water hitting her pregnant belly while Victoria watched with that sickening grin.
"I don't just want them bankrupt," Elena said, her voice dropping to a dangerous, steady calm. "I want them to know who broke them."
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Arthur’s eyes lit up with pride. "Spoken like a true Sterling. Tomorrow is the annual Vance Gala. They believe it will save their stock prices. You and I shall attend."
Just then, Elena's old burner phone, left in a plastic evidence bag on the side table, vibrated furiously. A text message from Diego lit the screen: Elena, you lying bitch. Where did you get that military squad? Return home immediately or I will drag your mother's grave into the dirt.
