Chapter 13 - The Echoes of the Past
The morning sun broke through the heavy grey clouds, casting a sharp, golden light across the Manhattan skyline. I sat in my new executive office on the 50th floor of Sterling Capital—now officially renamed Sterling-Vance Holdings—watching the city wake up far below. The transition had been swift, merciless, and absolute. With Richard behind bars awaiting federal trial and Brenda facing civil ruin, the board of directors had unanimously voted me in as Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson.
My phone chimed softly on the sleek glass desk. It was an alert from the legal department regarding the custody settlement for Lily. Because of the emergency protection orders and the irrefutable evidence of physical abuse and endangerment orchestrated by Richard and Brenda, full and permanent legal custody had been granted solely to me, with zero visitation rights for the Sterling elders.
"Come in," I said without turning around as I heard the heavy oak door click open.
"Coffee, Madam CEO," Marcus’s voice hummed with a light, warm amusement. He walked over, setting a steaming ceramic cup on the corner of my desk before leaning against the glass wall. "Or should I start calling you 'Your Excellency'?"
I turned in my ergonomic leather chair, a genuine laugh escaping my lips. "Let's stick to Elena, Marcus. At least for the next hour before the quarterly financial review."
"Fair enough," Marcus smiled, his expression softening. He pulled a folded manila folder from under his arm and placed it gently on the desk. "I thought you'd want to see this. The final asset audit of Richard’s personal accounts. Every hidden offshore stash, every shell company—it’s all been legally seized and redirected into a trust fund for Lily's future, as well as a survivor support foundation for mothers escaping domestic abuse."
I traced my fingers over the edge of the folder, feeling a profound sense of closure washing over me. "Good. Let no trace of their cruelty remain in our lives."
"There is one more thing," Marcus added, hesitating slightly. "Linda... she’s requested a meeting. Not through lawyers. She came to the lobby herself this morning."
I paused, looking up at him. "Linda? After everything?"
"She claims she has information that could implicate Richard in wider financial crimes—things the feds haven't uncovered yet. She's trying to cut a deal to save her own skin."
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I stood up, adjusting the cuffs of my crisp white blouse, my gaze hardening into absolute resolve. "Send her up. Let's hear what the grand queen of high society has to say when she has nothing left to bargain with."
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