Chapter 9 - The Fall of the House of Sterling
Julian stood in the center of the room, holding Mia’s hand securely. He looked at his mother, who had gone completely pale, clutching her pearl necklace as if it were a life preserver. Sarah was shaking, her face flushed with a violent crimson hue. The socialites they had lied to—people who served on charity boards and prided themselves on philanthropy—were staring at them with unfiltered disgust.
"Julian! Turn that off! How dare you manipulate my words!" Sarah shrieked, breaking the silence.
"It’s unedited, Sarah," Julian said calmly into the microphone. "And by the way, Greg? Check your email. Your funding is gone. Have fun filing for bankruptcy in the morning."
Arthur charged forward, his face purple with rage. "You ungrateful brat! You will destroy this family's name!"
"You destroyed it yourself, Father," Julian replied, his voice deadly calm. "When you decided a child's worth was based on her bloodline and her use as a prop. I am officially withdrawing my name from the Sterling Trust. I want nothing to do with your money, your legacy, or your toxic blood."
Julian dropped the microphone. It hit the polished floor with a loud screech.
He looked down at Mia, who was watching him with wide, awe-struck eyes.
"Ready to go, princess?" he asked softly.
May you like
"Yes, Papa," she smiled.
They walked out of the ballroom together, leaving the ruined Sterling empire to burn in the ashes of their own arrogance. As the doors closed behind them, they could hear the furious, chaotic arguing breaking out among the high-society elite. The perfect facade was gone forever.
