Chapter 7 - The New Dawn
The morning after the gala, the media was in a frenzy.
The headlines across the nation did not talk about the millions raised for charity.
Instead, they showed a photograph of the country’s most ruthless billionaire crying on his knees, hugging a little girl in a faded dress.
“The Billionaire’s Secret Daughter.”
“A 20-Year-Old Love Story Ends in Tragedy and Hope.”
Richard didn't read the papers. He didn't care.
He had cancelled all his meetings for the next month.
For the first time in the history of Sterling Enterprises, the CEO was completely unreachable.
Richard spent the morning in the master suite of his sprawling penthouse.
Emily was asleep in a massive guest room, tucked beneath the softest Egyptian cotton sheets she had ever felt.
Richard sat by her bedside, watching her breathe.
She looked so peaceful.
But he knew the road ahead would not be easy.
Emily was traumatized by the loss of her mother.
She was thrust into a world of unimaginable wealth that she did not understand.
And then, there was the board of Sterling Enterprises.
Richard knew his enemies would not take this news lightly.
A sudden, illegitimate heir to the Sterling fortune changed everything.
His phone began to vibrate on the nightstand.
It was an unlisted number.
Richard answered it, his voice cold and sharp.
"Speak."
"Richard," a woman’s voice sneered on the other end.
It was Victoria Sterling.
Richard's stepmother.
The woman who had married his father shortly after Sarah was driven away.
Victoria was a ruthless socialite who controlled a significant portion of the family’s trust.
"What is the meaning of this circus, Richard?" Victoria demanded. "Who is this street rat you brought into the gala?"
Richard’s grip on the phone tightened until his knuckles turned white.
"She is my daughter, Victoria. And you will watch your tongue when speaking about her."
Victoria laughed, a cold, mocking sound.
"A daughter? Convenitently appearing just as the inheritance restructuring is about to take place? I don't think so."
"She is a Sterling," Richard said, his voice dripping with venom. "And I will protect her from people like you."
"We will see what the DNA test says, Richard," Victoria warned. "And even if she is yours, the board will never accept a child of a common beggar as the future of this company. I will make sure of it."
The call went dead.
May you like
Richard slowly lowered the phone.
The battle had just begun.
