Chapter 8 - The Fall of the House of Sterling
The arrest of Victoria Sterling was broadcast live on every major morning show. She was led out of her Newport mansion in handcuffs, her hair disheveled, screaming obscenities at the press corps gathered at her gates.
There was no bail. The flight risk and the nature of the attempted kidnapping charges saw to that. The grand matriarch of Boston’s oldest family was locked in a federal holding cell.
Julian called me that afternoon. I let it go to voicemail, but later listened to the message.
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"Clara," his voice was hollow, defeated. "I’m sorry. For everything. For my mother, for my weakness. I'm signing over full parental rights to you. It's the only way I can protect them from the stain of my family name. You were right to leave. You were right about everything. Tell the boys... tell them I'm sorry."
It was the first time Julian had ever taken real action, the first time he had ever defied his family's legacy. By completely surrendering, he had finally done the one right thing for his sons. He stepped away.
