Chapter 2 - The Stolen Sanctuary
The screen went black as Derek terminated the feed. Claire broke down into jagged, breathless sobs, curling over her baby. Leo whined softly, instinctively sensing his mother’s panic.
""He can’t adopt Leo out,"" Claire cried, clawing at Pierce’s cashmere sleeve. ""He’s his father on paper! He bribed a state doctor to declare me medically unfit and chemically dependent. That’s why he left me on the street—to build a paper trail of neglect!""
""Breathe, Claire,"" Pierce commanded softly, his voice an anchor in her storm. ""Look at me. No one takes a Sterling. Not while I draw breath.""
The limousine pulled into the private courtyard of the Four Seasons George V. Within five minutes, a secured penthouse suite was converted into a war room. A private medical team evaluated Leo and treated Claire’s dehydration, while two high-end tailors arrived with racks of clean clothes.
Marcus Cross walked in precisely twelve minutes later, carrying a thick black dossier.
""We pulled the bank records, Mr. Sterling,"" Marcus reported without pleasantries. ""The nine-hundred-and-twenty-thousand-dollar transfer cleared through an offshore entity in Cyprus called Vance Holdings. Furthermore, Evelyn Vance used Claire’s forged signature to list the Parc Monceau townhouse for private sale. Escrow closes at five this evening.""
Pierce stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Eiffel Tower, buttoning a charcoal cufflink. ""Who is the buyer?""
""A shell firm owned by an international consortium,"" Marcus replied. ""They're hosting an open-house cocktail reception inside the residence right now to celebrate the signing.""
Pierce turned around, his expression devoid of mercy. ""Order four security vans. Claire, put on your coat. It’s time to attend your own party.""
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As they reached the suite's private elevator, Marcus’s tablet chimed with an emergency alert from the Land Registry.
""Mr. Sterling,"" Marcus whispered, pale. ""The notary just fast-tracked the closing. The buyer isn't a third party. It’s Derek's criminal syndicate—and they just called armed bailiffs to barricade the house.""
