Chapter 6 - The Ultimatum
Three days passed in a tense, quiet rhythm. Sarah was slowly regaining her color, her physical injuries healing under careful medical supervision. The St. Regis penthouse had become our fortress. We ordered room service, watched movies in bed, and for the first time in months, I saw genuine smiles returning to her face. But the storm outside was raging.
On Thursday morning, a heavy knock echoed from the front door of the suite. My private security guard opened it slightly, then turned to me. “Mr. Sterling, your mother is in the lobby. She’s demanding to see you. She says she won’t leave until you speak with her.”
I looked at Sarah, who immediately tensed, her hand resting protectively over her stomach. “I’ll handle this downstairs,” I told her softly, kissing her forehead. “She isn’t coming up here.”
May you like
I took the private elevator down to the grand lobby. My mother was sitting on a velvet armchair, looking disheveled. Her signature pearls were missing, her designer coat wrinkled. The frozen bank accounts were clearly taking their toll.
“Arthur,” she gasped, standing up quickly as I approached. “You have to stop this nonsense. The bank sent a foreclosure notice on the estate this morning. You’re destroying the family name!” “No,” I replied coldly. “I am cleaning up the family name. You stole four million dollars.” “It was my money!” she shrieked, drawing the attention of passing hotel guests. “I birthed you! I made you who you are!” “You are a parasite,” I said, my voice steady. “You have until the end of the month to vacate the estate. If you take a single piece of furniture, I will have you arrested for theft.”
