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HE THREW A PLATE AT HIS WIFE AND ORDERED HER OUT—THEN SHE FROZE EVERY ACCOUNT HIS FAMILY LIVED ON. / Chapter 7 / 10

Chapter 7 - The Lower Rungs

The corporate headquarters of Vance Global Holdings occupied the top twelve floors of the gleaming glass-and-steel monolith in the heart of the downtown financial district—a building Julian’s grandfather had originally commissioned before going bankrupt decades ago.

Julian stood on the polished granite sidewalk outside the revolving doors, staring up at the towering glass facade. He wore a simple, off-the-rack navy suit that lacked the bespoke tailoring he was used to. He didn't look like a master of the universe anymore; he looked like an ordinary job applicant trying to hide his anxiety.

He walked inside, past the towering security gates where visitors were required to check in with digital badges.

"Name and appointment?" the receptionist asked without looking up from her dual monitors.

"Julian Sterling," he said tightly. "I'm here to see Valerie Vance."

The receptionist finally looked up, her eyebrows arching in mild surprise before a cool, professional mask settled over her features. She tapped a few keys on her keyboard.

"Mrs. Vance’s schedule is completely booked for the next three weeks, Mr. Sterling. Unless you have an official corporate appointment registered through human resources, I can't let you past the lobby."

"I don't need an appointment with human resources," Julian said, his jaw tightening as old habits of entitlement flared up. "Tell her her husband—her ex-husband—is downstairs and demands—"

"Mr. Sterling," a calm, familiar voice interrupted from behind him.

Julian turned around. Marcus Vance stood a few feet away, holding a sleek leather briefcase, his expression entirely neutral.

"Marcus," Julian greeted, forcing a tight, unnatural smile. "Good to see you. I need a few minutes of Valerie’s time. Just a brief conversation to clear the air regarding the portfolio restructuring."

Marcus looked Julian up and down, taking in the off-the-rack suit and the subtle desperation lingering in his eyes.

"Mrs. Vance doesn't take personal drop-ins, Julian," Marcus said smoothly. "And as for the portfolio restructuring, that matter was legally finalized forty-eight hours ago. However..." Marcus paused, a faint, cryptic smile touching his lips. "If you are here regarding the junior acquisitions associate position currently open in our commercial leasing division... HR is on the fourth floor."

Julian’s breath hitched. "A junior associate? You’re offering me an entry-level desk job in my own former building?"

"We aren't offering you anything, Julian," Marcus corrected gently. "We’re offering you an application. Whether you pass the standard competency test and earn an interview is entirely up to you."

Marcus turned and walked toward the private elevator bank, leaving Julian standing alone in the massive lobby.

For thirty seconds, Julian stood frozen, torn between his shattered pride and the cold, unforgiving reality of the rent due on the dingy apartment at the end of the month. Pride didn't pay for groceries. Pride didn't keep the lights on.

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At a family dinner, I stood up smiling and announced I was pregnant. The whole table went completely silent — then my mother-in-law suddenly let out a laugh and yelled: “She’s pretending to be pregnant just to milk money from us!” Before anyone could even react, she seized my hand and pushed me off the hotel rooftop to “prove” I was faking it. Broken and barely conscious, I came to in the hospital with my husband by my side, pale as a ghost and shaking. But the moment the doctor stepped in and opened his mouth, the words he said made the entire room freeze in utter disbelief and horror.

At a family dinner, I stood up smiling and announced I was pregnant. The...

At Christmas dinner, my mother-in-law pushed my plate away and said, “Leave—this table is for people who bring money into this family.” I turned to my husband and asked if he agreed, but his cold silence was the biggest mistake of his life, because two months later, my father’s true net worth destroyed his entire bloodline…

At Christmas dinner, my mother-in-law pushed my plate away and said, “Le...

With a deep, shuddering breath, Julian turned toward the escalators.

"Fourth floor," he muttered to himself.

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