Chapter 5 - Whispers from the Grave
The revelation sent a shockwave through the room. Ethan’s father, Richard Vance Sterling, had succumbed to an aggressive heart condition five years ago. Or so everyone believed.
"How does an account authorized by my father become active three hours ago?" Ethan demanded, his voice cracking with an uncharacteristic edge of desperation.
Vanessa’s smile widened, cold and triumphant. "You always thought you were your father’s pride and joy, didn't you, Ethan? The disciplined heir, the pristine corporate warrior. But Richard knew you were too rigid, too merciful. He knew that when it came to eliminating threats, you hesitated."
Margaret stepped forward, her hand trembling violently as she raised the ledger. "Richard would never do this to his son! He built this dynasty for Lily, for Ethan!"
"Richard built this empire on blood and unrecorded collateral, Margaret!" Vanessa spat, her voice dropping into a harsh rasp. "Do you think the coal mines in Kentucky and the shipping terminals in Rotterdam were bought with clean money? Julian Vance isn't just my brother. He is Richard Sterling’s illegitimate son. Julian is Ethan’s older brother."
The weight of the words hung in the suffocating air. Margaret stumbled backward, her hand catching the edge of the wooden doorframe to keep from falling. "No... that’s impossible. Richard loved only our family."
"Check the DNA profiles filed with the Swiss trustees, old woman," Vanessa mocked. "Julian was born four years before Ethan. Under the original 1982 family pact, the firstborn male inherits the controlling interest of Sterling Global. You and your son have been sitting on Julian’s throne for thirty years."
May you like
Suddenly, Ethan’s earpiece crackled with static. The voice of his chief of security, Frank, sounded strained and distorted: "Mr. Sterling, we have a breach at the west wing gate! Julian’s men have cut the landlines. The local police aren't responding—the perimeter is compromised!"
Ethan glanced toward the window. The heavy rain that had started outside obscured the gardens, but headlights were visible tearing across the manicured lawn. Julian Vance wasn't waiting for the wedding. He had brought the reckoning to their doorstep.
