Chapter 4 - The Merger Destroyed
Victoria screamed as if she had been physically stabbed in the chest.
"No, please, we are announcing our merger tonight!"
"We have hundreds of millions of dollars on the line!"
Alexander Hawthorne did not even blink.
"Not anymore."
He pulled out his phone and made a ten-second call to his financial operatives.
Within sixty seconds, every investor’s phone in the banquet hall began to buzz simultaneously.
The wealthy businessmen checked their screens, and their faces instantly drained of blood.
"The bank just pulled our credit lines," one CEO whispered in absolute horror.
"The international shipping contracts have been canceled," another politician muttered, backing away from Victoria.
The massive merger, the crowning achievement of the Sterling family, evaporated in real time.
Julian crawled toward Alexander’s heavy leather boots, weeping like a frightened child.
"Please, sir, I am your grandson-in-law!"
"I am the father of her child, we are family!"
Alexander looked down at Julian with absolute, unfiltered disgust.
"You are a coward who stood by while his wife was abused in public."
"You are no man."
"And you are certainly no family of mine."
Alexander turned his attention back to Maya.
His hardened gaze softened instantly as he looked at the sleeping baby in her arms.
"May I?" he asked softly, extending his arms.
Maya hesitated for a fraction of a second, then gently nodded.
Alexander carefully pulled the blanket back, revealing the baby’s peaceful, sleeping face.
A genuine, warm smile broke across the old man’s weathered features.
"He is beautiful," Alexander whispered with immense pride.
"He is a Hawthorne."
Maya felt a tear slip down her cheek.
For the first time in twenty-four years, she did not feel alone.
She wasn’t the worthless orphan anymore.
She was safe, protected by a fortress of a man.
"Are you ready to go home, Evangeline?" Alexander asked gently.
Maya looked around the opulent room, gazing at the ruined Sterlings and the terrified guests.
She looked down at her baby, then back up at her grandfather.
"Yes."
"I am ready to go home."
Colonel Vance surrounded them with a wall of heavily armed elite guards.
May you like
They began to walk out of the banquet hall, leaving the wreckage of the Sterling empire behind.
Victoria was left sobbing hysterically on the floor, clawing at the marble as her world burned.
