Chapter 5 - Four Words That Changed Everything
The police station was a buzzing hive of noise, but Nathan sat in absolute silence in the private consultation room.
Marcus, a silver-haired attorney who had served the Cole family for thirty years, walked in carrying a worn, leather briefcase. He locked the door behind him and took a seat across from Nathan.
"Grace's bail hearing is set for tomorrow morning. The judge was handpicked by Richard Sterling. He's denying bail," Marcus said grimly.
Nathan slammed his fist on the table. "My wealth means nothing if I can't protect them! Marcus, the Sterlings fabricated an entire legal trail. They are going to lock Grace away and take my company."
Marcus sighed heavily. He opened his briefcase and pulled out a faded, wax-sealed envelope. It bore Arthur Cole's personal crest.
"Your father was a ruthless man, Nathan. But he wasn't a fool," Marcus began slowly. "A week before his sudden heart attack last year, he gave me this. He told me to put it in a safe deposit box. He said, 'If the Sterlings ever try to destroy my son, give him this.'"
Nathan took the envelope. His hands shook as he broke the wax seal.
Inside was a single piece of heavy parchment, written in his father's jagged handwriting. There was no long apology, no explanation of the blackmail against Grace. Just a confession of a dying man who realized he had made a deal with the devil.
There was a USB drive taped to the paper, and beneath it, four words that made Nathan's blood turn to ice.
"Victoria poisoned my tea."
Nathan stared at the paper. His father hadn't died of a random heart attack. He had been murdered. Arthur had likely tried to back out of the Sterling merger, and Victoria had eliminated him to ensure the deal—and her marriage to Nathan—went through.
"The USB drive contains Arthur's private office security footage from the day he died," Marcus whispered. "He reviewed it himself before he locked this away. He didn't go to the police because he knew the Sterlings would frame you for the murder to take the company."
Nathan pocketed the envelope and the drive. A terrifying, deadly calm washed over him. He wasn't just a businessman anymore. He was a father protecting his family, and a son avenging his own.
"Marcus," Nathan said quietly. "Call Richard Sterling. Tell him I yield. Tell him I will marry Victoria at the massive charity gala tomorrow night, exactly as planned, in front of the press."
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Marcus stared at him in shock. "Nathan, what are you doing?"
"I'm going to publicly burn down my own empire," Nathan said, his eyes burning with a dark, vengeful fire. "And I'm going to lock the doors when I do."
