Chapter 2 - The Journey Home
The grand oak doors of the banquet hall closed firmly behind Arthur and Lily.
He had immediately canceled the rest of the gala, ordering his private driver to bring the car around to the front.
Lily held tightly onto Arthur's large, warm hand as they walked down the red carpet.
She had never seen a car as big or as shiny as the black limousine waiting for them.
The driver, a kind-looking man named Thomas, quickly opened the door and bowed slightly.
"Everything alright, Mr. Sterling?" Thomas asked, noticing the tears still fresh on his boss's face.
"Everything is more than alright, Thomas," Arthur replied, his voice thick with emotion.
"Please take us straight to the estate, and call Dr. Evans to meet us there immediately."
Lily climbed into the back seat, her eyes wide with wonder at the soft leather seats and the glowing lights inside.
Arthur sat beside her, gently placing a warm cashmere blanket over her frail, shivering shoulders.
"Are you hungry, Lily?" he asked, opening a small compartment filled with snacks and juices.
Lily nodded shyly, her stomach letting out a loud rumble that made her blush.
Arthur handed her a sandwich and watched with a breaking heart as she ate it as if she hadn't seen food in days.
His mind was racing with a million questions about his daughter, Sarah.
Why had she never come home?
What kind of terrible life had forced her to leave her precious child wandering the streets alone?
As the limousine sped through the dark city streets, Lily finally looked up from her food.
"Are you really my grandpa?" she asked, her voice full of uncertainty.
"Mommy used to tell me stories about a king who lived in a castle, but she never said his name."
Arthur felt a massive lump form in his throat.
"Yes, my sweet girl, I am your grandfather," he promised, gently brushing a stray curl from her forehead.
"And your mommy was my beautiful princess."
"Why didn't she ever take me to see you?" Lily asked innocently.
"I don't know yet, Lily, but I promise you I am going to find out," Arthur vowed softly.
The heavy iron gates of the Sterling Estate slowly swung open, revealing a massive stone mansion lit up against the night sky.
Lily gasped, pressing her small face against the tinted window.
"It really is a castle!" she whispered in total amazement.
Arthur smiled, realizing that for the first time in twenty-five years, his massive house finally felt like a home.
The limousine pulled up to the front steps, where a team of maids and a doctor were already waiting.
Arthur stepped out and carefully lifted Lily into his arms, ignoring the pain in his old back.
"Welcome home, Lily," he said, carrying her up the grand stone steps.
But deep in the shadows of the estate's garden, someone was watching them.
A dark figure pulled out a burner phone and quickly typed out a text message.
"The old man found the kid. We have a massive problem."
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The message was sent directly to Eleanor.
The battle for the Sterling empire had only just begun.
