Chapter 8 - The Billionaire’s Funeral
The explosion lit the sky.
The surveillance feed went black.
Federal agents rushed forward.
I screamed Arthur’s name until my throat burned.
They found three bodies inside the warehouse.
One was identified as Marcus.
One belonged to an unknown guard.
The third wore Arthur’s watch.
By morning, every news station in the country reported the death of Arthur Sterling.
Sterling Heavy Industries stock collapsed.
The board appointed an emergency chairman.
Daniel Reeves announced that Vanessa would be released due to “compromised evidence.”
Everything happened too quickly.
Too perfectly.
That was when I knew Arthur was alive.
At the funeral, Bella stood beside me in a black dress.
The casket remained closed.
Vanessa arrived wearing white.
Reporters surrounded her.
She cried for the cameras and claimed Arthur had forgiven her before his death.
Then she announced she was pregnant with his child.
The crowd erupted.
Some believed her.
Some called her a liar.
Arthur’s board immediately declared that Vanessa’s unborn baby might inherit controlling shares of the company.
I wanted to expose her.
But Arthur’s lawyer whispered one sentence.
“Do not react.”
After the service, Vanessa approached Bella.
“You’ll be living with me now.”
Bella stepped behind me.
Vanessa smiled.
“The court will see that a nanny has no legal right to keep a billionaire’s daughter.”
Then she leaned close.
“Your mother is still alive, Sarah.”
My heart stopped.
“Where is she?”
“Sign over Bella’s temporary guardianship to me.”
“Never.”
Vanessa’s eyes hardened.
“Then your mother misses her next dialysis treatment.”
Before I could respond, a man brushed past me and slipped a folded note into my hand.
I recognized Arthur’s handwriting.
May you like
Do what she asks. Trust me.
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