Chapter 2 - THE PATRIARCH'S WRATH
Arthur Sterling lowered himself into the leather armchair,
refusing to look at either Daniel or Victoria.
The atmosphere in the living room had grown suffocatingly thick.
Chloe covered her mouth with her hand,
staring up at the giant photograph in absolute disbelief.
Marcus stood beside his wife,
shaking his head in sheer disgust.
“Dad,
” Daniel pleaded,
dropping to his knees on the Persian rug in front of his father.
“You don’t understand how manipulative she has been,
Victoria trapped me,
she threatened me—”
“Don't you dare lie,
Daniel,
” Victoria interrupted,
her voice rising in frantic desperation.
“You begged me for months,
you said your wife was a cold,
career-obsessed robot who didn’t appreciate a real man.
”
“You said you couldn't wait to inherit the Sterling estate so we could leave her behind.
”
Arthur raised his hand,
cutting off their pathetic bickering.
“Enough,
” Arthur commanded,
his voice deep and resonant.
“I have spent the last ten years defending my marriage to you,
Victoria,
against every warning my children gave me.
”
“I believed you loved me.
”
Victoria scoffed,
crossing her arms over her chest.
“Love? Arthur,
let’s be entirely honest with one another.
”
“You were an aging,
lonely widower with a failing heart.
”
“I gave you companionship,
public grace,
and a nurse disguised as a trophy wife.
”
“I earned every cent you spent on me.
”
Arthur nodded slowly,
a dark,
dangerous glint appearing in his aged eyes.
“Is that so?” Arthur murmured.
“Well,
Victoria,
you will be thrilled to learn that my legal team updated my will three months ago.
”
“Every penny of the Sterling trust is tied to my direct discretion.
”
“And as of six minutes ago,
my lawyers filed an emergency injunction freezing all joint assets.
”
“Including the Miami condo.
”
“Including the offshore accounts.
”
“And most importantly,
the monthly stipend you used to maintain your lavish lifestyle.
”
Victoria’s face turned from arrogant fury to stark,
pale terror.
“You can't do that,
” Victoria whispered,
stepping toward him.
“We have a legal prenuptial agreement,
Arthur,
I am entitled to half.
”
“Adultery and financial fraud invalidate prenuptial agreements in the state of Massachusetts,
my dear,
” I remarked calmly from the top of the stairs.
I held up a thick manila folder filled with forensic accounting reports.
“And I have every bank statement,
text message,
and flight receipt to prove it.
”
Daniel scrambled to his feet,
turning his rage toward me.
“You planned this,
” Daniel yelled,
lunging toward the stairs.
“You set us up,
you cold-hearted witch!”
Marcus moved instantly,
stepping between Daniel and me with athletic precision.
“Take another step toward her,
Daniel,
and I will throw you through that front window,
” Marcus warned coldly.
May you like
Daniel froze,
his chest heaving as he realized he was entirely alone.
