Chapter 3 - The Frozen Assets
For the next two weeks, I focused entirely on healing and bonding with my sons—Leo, Silas, and Finn. Supported by my family, the physical pain of the C-section faded, replaced by a fierce, protective maternal strength. I had a team of stylists, nutritionists, and trainers. The exhaustion vanished. When I looked in the mirror, I no longer saw the broken woman in the hospital bed. I saw a Sterling.
Julian, meanwhile, was experiencing a rapid descent into hell.
He tried to check into a luxury hotel with Seraphina, only to find that all his credit cards were declined. My legal team had filed an emergency injunction, freezing all marital assets pending an investigation into his financial fraud.
He tried to go to work at his prestigious investment firm. What he didn't realize was that his firm’s largest, anonymous liquidity provider was my father.
On a crisp Tuesday morning, Julian was summoned to the boardroom. He walked in, expecting a promotion he had been bragging about for months. Instead, he found the CEO of his company standing nervously beside a long mahogany table.
Sitting at the head of the table was me.
I wore a tailored, crimson Tom Ford power suit, my hair blown out to perfection, red lipstick sharp enough to cut glass.
Julian stopped dead in his tracks. His mouth opened and closed like a fish. “Clara? What... what are you doing here?”
“I’m the new majority shareholder, Julian,” I said, leaning back in the leather chair. “I bought out the partners this morning. It cost a small fortune, but honestly? It was worth every penny just to see the look on your face.”
“You... you can’t do this!” he stammered, looking at his boss, who simply looked at the floor.
“I already did,” I replied smoothly. “And as my first act as majority owner, I am restructuring the executive team. Julian, you are fired. Effective immediately. Security will escort you to your desk to collect your personal items in a cardboard box.”
“You vindictive bitch!” he screamed, lunging forward.
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Before he could take two steps, the boardroom doors flew open, and my security team pinned him against the wall.
“I was willing to give you a quiet divorce, Julian,” I said, standing up and walking over to him. I looked him dead in the eye, savoring his absolute terror. “But you just had to bring your mistress to the maternity ward. Have a nice life.”
