Chapter 10 - Cornered Beasts
The fallout was catastrophic for the Sterling family. Within forty-eight hours of the press conference, Sterling Hospitality’s stock plummeted by thirty percent. The Aurelia resort chain not only reinstated Purely Petals' distribution contract, but their CEO personally called me to offer a public apology and double our order for their global locations.
But I knew Victoria Sterling wouldn't go down without dragging everyone she could into the flames with her.
Two days after the press conference, I was leaving my apartment building with the triplets, holding their hands as we walked toward my waiting SUV to go to Central Park. The spring sun was shining, and for the first time in five years, I felt the crushing weight of my secret lifting off my shoulders.
Suddenly, a silver sports car screeched around the corner of the street, jumping the curb and slamming on its brakes just feet away from us. The driver's door flew open, and Victoria stepped out. She looked unhinged; her designer hair was disheveled, her makeup smeared, and her eyes wide with manic fury.
"You ruined my life!" she screamed, lunging toward us on the sidewalk. "I was supposed to be Mrs. Julian Vance! My family is ruined because of your little tape!"
"Get back in your car, Victoria!" I shouted, instinctively pushing Leo, Maya, and Noah behind me, shielding their small bodies with my own. My driver, a burly former marine named David, immediately jumped out of the SUV and positioned himself between us and Victoria.
"They aren't even his!" Victoria shrieked, pointing a trembling, manicured finger at my terrified children. "You’re a whore, Clara! I'll make sure child protective services takes them away from you! I'll tell the judge you're mentally unfit! You won't keep a single cent of his money!"
"Ma'am, step back right now or I will physically restrain you and call the NYPD," David warned, his voice booming across the street.
May you like
Just as Victoria raised her hand to strike David, a familiar black Maybach pulled up smoothly beside the curb. The rear door opened, and Julian stepped out into the sunlight. He didn't look angry; he looked completely, terrifyingly detached.
"Victoria," Julian said, his voice quiet, cutting through her hysterical screaming instantly. "If you take one more step toward my family, my security team will hold you until the police arrive to execute the arrest warrant the District Attorney issued for you ten minutes ago."
