Chapter 3 - The Price of a Billion-Dollar Dynasty
By midnight, Nathan had moved Grace and Lily into a high-security penthouse downtown, guarded by his most trusted private security team.
A doctor had examined Grace, confirming a fractured collarbone and severe bruising. As Grace slept, exhausted by the trauma, Nathan sat by Lily's bed, watching his daughter breathe.
Five years. He had lost five years of her life. He missed her first steps, her first words. All because of a calculated pact between two powerful families obsessed with wealth.
His phone buzzed incessantly. The screen flashed with names from his board of directors, his PR team, and finally, Richard Sterling—Victoria’s ruthless father.
Nathan stepped onto the balcony and answered. "Sterling."
"Boy, you have lost your mind," Richard's voice barked through the speaker. "Victoria came home crying. You threw her out over a maid? Do you realize the merger papers are supposed to be signed on Friday? If I pull out, Cole Industries’ stock will tank by forty percent."
"Your daughter assaulted a woman with a weapon," Nathan replied coldly. "She tried to strike a four-year-old child."
"It's a misunderstanding," Richard sneered. "The woman is unstable. She attacked Victoria first. In fact, we have witnesses who will testify to that."
"Witnesses? In my empty house?"
"Witnesses can be found, Nathan," Richard said darkly. "Be smart. Marry Victoria. Keep the kid in a nice, quiet boarding school in Switzerland. Pay the mother off. If you try to blow this up, I promise you, I will ruin that woman's life. She'll be painted as a kidnapper, an extortionist, and a thief. You won't be able to save her."
The line went dead.
Nathan stared out at the glittering city skyline. His empire was built on lies, blood, and blackmail. If he fought them conventionally, he would lose. The Sterlings owned the media; they owned politicians.
He walked back inside and looked at Grace, who was tossing and turning in her sleep, murmuring Lily's name.
May you like
He had a choice: protect the Cole family legacy, swallow his pride, and live a lie. Or burn the whole damn empire to the ground to protect the only two people who mattered.
The choice was easy. Now, he just needed a match.
