Chapter 4 - The Web of Deceit
By midnight, the Grand Plaza Hotel was empty of guests, but the fallout from the evening was spreading across every major news network in the state. Headlines dominated social media: STERLING ENTERPRISES CEO EXPOSES MOTHER'S THREE-YEAR EMBEZZLEMENT AND BLACKMAIL AT GALA.
In the top-floor penthouse of the Sterling Tower, a medical team hired by Alexander was conducting a full health evaluation on Lauren and Sophia.
Sophia was fast asleep on a king-sized bed covered in plush silk sheets, holding a warm plush bear that the penthouse staff had brought her. Lauren sat on the edge of the bed, wearing a soft wool sweater, drinking tea while a private doctor treated the calluses on her fingers.
Alexander stepped into the bedroom, closing the heavy mahogany door behind him.
"How are they, Doctor?" Alexander asked softly.
"Miss Sophia is suffering from mild malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies, but with proper care and rest, she will make a full recovery," the doctor explained quietly. "Mrs. Sterling is severely fatigued and underweight. I have prescribed nutrients and rest. They need peace, Mr. Sterling."
"Thank you, Doctor," Alexander said, ushering the medical team out.
He walked over to the bed and sat beside Lauren. He took her small hand, rubbing his thumb gently over her knuckles.
"The police have already taken Victoria’s formal statement down at the precinct," Alexander said gently. "She is currently being held on two million dollars bail."
Lauren looked down at her cup of tea, her expression troubled. "Alexander... she is still your mother. The press is going to ruin you for this. The board of directors will be furious about the stock prices."
Alexander leaned in, placing a soft kiss on Lauren’s forehead. "Let the stocks burn, Lauren. I spent three years building a fortune while the two people who mattered most to me were starving in the dark. I don't care about the board. I care about making this right."
Suddenly, there was a quiet knock on the penthouse door. Marcus stepped inside, looking grim.
"Boss," Marcus said in a low voice. "We ran a deep trace on the Cayman Islands account your mother used."
"And?"
"Victoria didn't act alone," Marcus revealed, holding up a tablet. "The offshore shell company that received the funneled support money wasn't just registered to Victoria. It was co-signed by Julian Vance—your mother’s executive secretary... and your cousin."
Alexander’s eyes narrowed. Julian had been his closest advisor during the three years Lauren was gone. He was the one who constantly reminded Alexander how "faithless" Lauren had been, keeping the anger alive in my heart.
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"Where is Julian right now?" Alexander asked, his voice dropping into dangerous quiet.
"He cleared his desk at corporate headquarters thirty minutes ago," Marcus replied. "And his private vehicle was just spotted heading toward the municipal airport."
