Chapter 7 - The Smoking Gun
For the next few days, Julian ignored the rumors. He focused entirely on Mia. They went ice skating, drank ridiculous amounts of hot cocoa, and went on a massive toy-shopping spree where Mia picked out gifts not just for herself, but to donate to the local children's shelter.
She was blooming. Away from the oppressive, judgmental eyes of the Sterling family, Mia’s natural, vibrant personality was shining through.
Meanwhile, behind the scenes, Marcus was busy. He had legally severed Julian's ties to his brother-in-law's company. Sarah's husband, Greg, was currently drowning in margin calls and panicked emails, though they were trying desperately to keep it quiet before the annual Sterling New Year's Eve Gala at the Charleston Heritage Club.
The Gala was the crown jewel of his parents' social calendar. Hundreds of the city's most elite residents would be there. It was where reputations were made—and broken.
Julian sat in his office, listening to the recording one last time.
On the tape, you could clearly hear Sarah's voice: "Mia, take that hideous dress off the velvet couch. Honestly, mother, I don't know why Julian had to adopt a girl who looks like she belongs in a shelter. She's ruining the whole aesthetic."
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Then, Eleanor's voice: "Hush, Sarah. Just send her to the kitchen. Tell her she has to earn her keep if she wants to be in the photos. Let her wash the caterer's dishes. It’ll keep her out of sight until the photographer leaves."
It was undeniable. It was cruel. And it was going to be their undoing.
