Chapter 12 - Bloodlines and Boardrooms
Dawn broke over the city in streaks of pale amber and cold slate gray. The top floor of the Sterling Tower was silent, save for the tense murmurs of the executive board members gathered around the glass table.
At the head of the table sat Marcus Sterling—Julian’s younger brother. His eyes held a predator’s calm as he adjusted his gold cufflinks.
""Julian has been incapacitated following an unfortunate security breach at his estate,"" Marcus announced smoothly. ""Under Section 4 of the Sterling Trust, should Julian Sterling be rendered unable to govern, and with no legally recognized biological heir, proxy control of all voting shares passes to me.""
""Lily Sterling is his legal heir,"" one board member countered nervously.
""Lily Sterling's legal documentation is fraudulent,"" Marcus said, laying a thick dossier on the table. ""Our investigators discovered that the child was acquired illegally. A criminal inquiry has been opened. Therefore, she holds no legal claim to the trust.""
""That is where you are mistaken, Marcus,"" a voice rang out from the double doors.
The boardroom fell into stunned silence. Julian stepped into the room, leaning on a dark wooden cane, his navy suit impeccably concealing the heavy bandages beneath his shirt.
Beside him walked Elena, no longer wearing the humble maid’s uniform. She was dressed in an elegant cream-colored pantsuit, holding three-year-old Lily by the hand. The child walked proudly, her chin up, looking at her father with absolute trust.
Marcus turned pale, rising from his chair. ""Julian... you should be in the intensive care unit.""
""And you should be in federal custody,"" Julian replied evenly.
Julian stepped forward, motioning for Elena to join him at the head of the boardroom table. Marcus tried to mask his panic with contempt. ""You brought a common servant into an executive meeting? Have you completely lost your mind?""
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""She is not a servant,"" Julian declared, his voice booming with absolute authority across the room. ""She is the biological mother of my child. And this morning, the state supreme court unsealed the original hospital DNA registry.""
Julian dropped a sealed court document onto the mahogany table. Marcus stared at it as if it were venomous.
