Chapter 8 - The Uninvited Guest
The digital security monitor on the desk flickered to life, projecting a live feed from the estate’s front gate. Standing under the stone archway, soaked by a sudden, unseasonal drizzle, was a woman in an expensive designer trench coat, her dark hair slightly disheveled.
It was Victoria Sterling—Arthur’s eldest daughter, our first cousin, who had mysteriously vanished to London right before the federal indictments dropped three months ago.
"Victoria," Elena breathed out, gripping the edge of the desk so hard her knuckles turned white. "I thought she fled the country."
"She did," Alejandro said, his eyes narrowing as he watched her speak through the intercom to the security guard. "Interpol flagged her re-entry into O'Hare international airport twenty minutes ago. She must have posted an appeal bond through an offshore Swiss account before the court froze the final tranches."
"What does she want?" I asked, a cold knot forming in my stomach. "Arthur’s trial concluded last month. He’s locked away for the rest of his natural life. There’s nothing left for her to salvage here."
"People like the Sterlings don't know how to walk away empty-handed," Alejandro replied, his voice dropping into a lethal register. He adjusted his suit jacket, signaling Calvin to open the gates. "Let her in. Let’s see what she has to say before I have federal marshals escort her off the property."
Ten minutes later, the heavy front doors opened, and Victoria walked into the grand foyer.
She looked older, the sharp arrogance of her youth replaced by a desperate, jagged edge. She took in the newly restored marble floors, the brilliant artwork, and the immaculate state of the mansion—the very estate her father had stolen from our family.
When she saw Elena and me standing at the top of the grand staircase, flanked by Alejandro, her breath hitched.
"Elena...?" Victoria whispered, staggering back a step as if she were looking at a phantom. "No. That's impossible. The medical examiner swore you were incinerated in the fire."
"The only thing that was incinerated was your father’s lies, Victoria," Elena said, her voice ringing out clear, steady, and commanding down the cavernous hall. She descended the stairs step by step, shedding every ounce of the timid vulnerability she had carried when we first found her.
May you like
Victoria swallowed hard, forcing a brittle, defensive smile to her lips. "You think you've won, don't you? You think because my father is behind bars, you inherit the kingdom. But you don't know everything. My father kept insurance policies. Secrets that will destroy this entire foundation before the ink on your corporate transfer dries."
"Try us," Alejandro said smoothly, stepping down beside Elena, his presence an immovable wall of absolute power. "Let's hear your insurance policy, Victoria. Because my legal team is recording this conversation for your immediate violation of a federal restraining order."
