Chapter 11 - The Battle For Sterling Financial
The Sterling Estate had never been this quiet.
Not during funerals.
Not during billion-dollar negotiations.
Not during family wars.
Because everyone knew something impossible was happening.
The company that controlled billions of dollars...
Was changing hands.
To Avery Carter Sterling.
The woman Victoria had spent years calling an outsider.
Liam stared at the screen.
"Can we stop it?"
Marcus shook his head.
"No."
"Why?"
"Because the transfer was authorized years ago."
Daniel nodded slowly.
"Charles planned for this."
Liam looked at him.
"My father knew?"
Daniel sighed.
"He knew Victoria would eventually try to control everything."
Victoria laughed.
"Charles was paranoid."
Daniel looked at her.
"No."
"He was smart."
Avery stared at the documents appearing on the screen.
Her name.
Her signature.
Her father's signature.
Charles Sterling's signature.
A secret agreement created twenty years earlier.
She felt overwhelmed.
"I don't want this."
Everyone looked at her.
Victoria smiled.
"Exactly."
Avery looked confused.
"What?"
"You don't want power."
Victoria walked closer.
"And that's why you will fail."
Avery looked directly at her.
"Maybe."
Victoria stopped.
"But at least I won't destroy people to keep it."
The words hit hard.
Liam stepped beside Avery.
"I'm with you."
She looked at him.
"You don't have to choose me because I'm the heir."
Liam shook his head.
"I'm choosing you because you're my wife."
For the first time that night...
Avery smiled.
But the moment didn't last.
Because Ethan suddenly spoke.
"You still don't understand."
Everyone turned.
Ethan looked serious.
"The transfer isn't complete."
Marcus frowned.
"What are you talking about?"
Ethan pointed at the screen.
"There is one final condition."
Avery looked.
"What condition?"
Ethan smiled.
"The heir must expose the person responsible for the destruction of the Carter family."
The room became silent.
Avery slowly turned toward Victoria.
Victoria didn't move.
Because she knew.
Everyone knew.
But nobody wanted to say it.
Avery walked toward her.
"Did you destroy my father's company?"
Victoria looked at her.
"Yes."
The answer shocked everyone.
Even Liam.
"Mom..."
Victoria continued.
"But not for the reason you think."
Avery frowned.
"What does that mean?"
Victoria looked at Daniel.
"Ask your father what he did."
Avery turned.
"Dad?"
Daniel looked away.
And Avery immediately knew.
There was another secret.
Another lie.
Her heart sank.
"What aren't you telling me?"
Daniel remained silent.
Victoria smiled.
"Tell her."
Daniel closed his eyes.
"I made a mistake."
Avery whispered.
"What mistake?"
Daniel looked at his daughter.
"The reason Victoria came after me..."
He swallowed.
"Was because I discovered Charles Sterling wasn't your only connection to this family."
Avery froze.
"What?"
Daniel looked at Liam.
Then back at Avery.
"Your mother..."
A pause.
"Was a Sterling."
May you like
Nobody spoke.
The room went completely silent.
