Chapter 7: The Sterling Façade
Across the city, inside the gilded walls of the Sterling Estate, ignorance was truly bliss.
Vanessa Sterling stood in front of a massive, gold-leafed vanity mirror, holding up a diamond necklace to her throat. She scoffed, tossing the two-hundred-thousand-dollar piece of jewelry onto a velvet cushion. "It’s too small. Daddy! The diamonds are too small!"
Julian Sterling, a man whose expensive tailored suits could not hide his inherent sleaziness, walked into his daughter’s dressing room, swirling a glass of scotch. "Calm down, Vanessa. You can wear the emeralds. We have more important things to discuss."
He waved a heavy, cream-colored envelope in the air. The Solmere crest was embossed in gold wax on the back.
"We got the invitation?" Vanessa gasped, her eyes lighting up with greed. She completely forgot about the necklace. "So, Richard actually did it? He secured the CEO position?"
"It appears so," Julian smirked, taking a sip of his scotch. "The news is reporting a massive restructuring at Solmere. The old board members have all 'retired.' Richard must have finally cleared out Eleanor’s loyalists. And now, he’s invited us as guests of honor to the new leadership gala. This is it, Vanessa. Richard promised me thirty percent of Solmere’s commercial logistics once he took the throne. We are about to double our net worth overnight."
Vanessa squealed, clapping her hands. "Finally! I can’t stand being the second-richest family in this city. Oh, speaking of trash, you wouldn't believe what happened at the Solmere Hotel today."
Julian looked mildly annoyed. "What now, Vanessa?"
"Some disgusting, homeless beggar girl somehow got into the lobby! She was wearing rags, absolutely filthy," Vanessa shuddered dramatically. "She bumped into me! I had to literally drag her across the floor by her cheap collar. I told Caldwell to have her arrested, but the useless manager completely froze."
Julian frowned. "A beggar? At the Solmere?"
"I know! It’s unacceptable," Vanessa huffed. "When we partner with Richard, I am making sure Caldwell is fired. I practically own that hotel anyway. I told that little rat exactly what her place was. She had the nerve to give me this psychotic look, like she was going to hurt me."
Julian laughed dismissively. "Peasants always glare when they see true wealth, my dear. It’s just jealousy. Forget about the beggar. Focus on Friday night. I need you to look perfect. The media will be there. When Richard announces our partnership, I want the Sterling family to look like royalty."
"Don't worry, Daddy," Vanessa smiled fiercely, staring at her reflection. "By Friday night, everyone in this city will know exactly who I am. No one will ever look down on us."
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Little did Vanessa know, in a dark server room three miles away, Charlotte Vale’s private wealth managers had just successfully purchased the promissory notes to the Sterling Estate’s primary mortgages.
The Sterlings were picking out jewelry for a coronation, completely unaware they were dressing for their own funeral.
