Chapter 11 - The Broken Heir
Back in the Sterling penthouse, Julian sat on the bloody sofa with a temporary bandage wrapped clumsily around his palm. The apartment was dead silent. The staff had fled, his private security detail had abandoned their posts after realizing who they had crossed, and the cold draft from the shattered balcony door chilled the cavernous room.
His phone on the side table began to ring violently. The caller ID displayed his father’s name. Julian picked it up with trembling fingers.
""What did you do?!"" Raymond Sterling roared through the speaker, his voice cracking with panicked fury. ""Vance is eviscerating us! The banks have frozen our credit lines! Federal agents are reviewing the offshore shipping registries! What happened in that penthouse, Julian?!""
""Dad, listen to me—"" Julian stammered, his pride completely shattered. ""Claire... she provoked me. Arthur came here with armed men—""
""You fool!"" Raymond screamed. ""You laid hands on Arthur Vance’s daughter?! Are you insane?! I told you to keep her placated! Her trust fund was the only guarantee keeping Vance Logistics from absorbing our supply chain! You have ruined three generations of work in a single night!""
""We can fight him!"" Julian yelled, rising to his feet, pacing like a caged animal. ""We have contacts in the city council, we have lawyers—""
""We have nothing!"" Raymond interrupted bitterly. ""Vance owns the judges, he owns the banks, and by morning he will own our name. The lawyers have already drafted the surrender terms. You will sign the divorce papers, Julian. You will give up the prenuptial claims. If you don't, I will personally hand the financial fraud evidence to the district attorney to save myself. You are on your own.""
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The call clicked dead. Julian stared at the phone in utter disbelief. His father had cast him out in an instant. The immense wealth, the social prestige, the power he had used to terrorize Claire—all of it had vanished like smoke.
A dark, venomous hatred began to boil within Julian’s chest. If he was going down into the abyss, he wouldn't go alone.
