Chapter 5 - The Shadow War
The next morning,
the news,
of Arthur Sterling's,
death,
was splashed,
across every,
major newspaper.
The headlines,
were filled,
with tributes,
to the,
shipping magnate,
and the,
speculation,
regarding his,
will,
was already,
beginning.
Victoria sat,
in her office,
the walls,
lined with,
corporate awards,
and framed,
photos of,
her achievements.
She held,
the newspaper,
crushing the,
paper,
in her hand.
They are,
asking questions,
she said,
her voice,
tight with,
frustration.
They are,
asking about,
the boy.
They are,
asking about,
the distribution,
of assets.
Julian stood,
by the window,
looking out,
at the city,
his reflection,
in the glass,
dark and,
predatory.
Let them ask,
he said,
his voice,
cold and,
dismissive.
We have,
the control.
We have,
the lawyers.
We have,
the means,
to silence,
the rumors.
Victoria turned,
to him,
her eyes,
sharp as,
needles.
And what,
about the boy?
Have you,
found him?
Julian shrugged.
I have people,
looking for him.
He is,
a mechanic,
mother.
He is,
not a ghost.
He will,
turn up.
Victoria sighed,
her fingers,
drumming on,
the desk.
He is,
more dangerous,
than you think.
He is,
Arthur's son.
He has,
that same,
obsessive streak.
If he,
is looking for,
that key,
he will,
find it.
Julian turned,
around,
a cruel smile,
on his face.
Then we,
will just,
have to,
take it,
from him.
He walked,
over to,
her desk,
leaning in,
close.
I have,
hired a private,
security team.
They are,
already monitoring,
his shop,
his apartment,
and his,
contacts.
He cannot,
make a move,
without us,
knowing.
Victoria leaned,
back,
a sense of,
relief,
washing over her.
Good.
Make sure,
they are,
discreet.
I do not,
want any,
more scandals.
We need,
to keep,
the public,
on our side.
Julian nodded,
his expression,
serious.
Understood.
I will,
handle it.
He turned,
to leave,
but Victoria,
stopped him.
Wait.
She paused,
her eyes,
searching his.
Is there,
anything else?
Anything,
you are,
not telling me?
Julian hesitated,
for a fraction,
of a second.
No.
Everything,
is under,
control.
Victoria watched,
him go,
a seed of,
doubt,
planting itself,
in her mind.
She knew,
Julian.
She knew,
his ambition,
was often,
greater than,
his judgment.
But she,
also knew,
that they,
needed each other.
For now,
at least.
She opened,
a drawer,
pulling out,
a file,
marked,
'Sterling Legacy'.
She began,
to review,
the documents,
looking for,
any possible,
leverage.
She had,
to secure,
the inheritance.
She had,
to protect,
the wealth.
She would,
not let,
it go,
to that,
worthless mechanic.
She would,
not let,
it go,
to the boy,
who had,
been thrown,
out like,
trash.
She was,
Victoria Sterling.
And she,
would win.
Outside,
Ethan was,
working,
on a car,
his hands,
greasy,
and his,
mind,
on the,
island.
He knew,
they were,
watching him.
He could,
feel their,
eyes on,
him,
every time,
he stepped,
outside.
He had,
to be,
careful.
He had,
to be,
smarter.
He had,
to find,
a way,
to get,
to the island,
without them,
following him.
He looked,
up at the,
sky,
the clouds,
gathering,
again.
Another storm,
was coming.
And he,
May you like
would be,
ready.
