Chapter 4: The Viper in the Hallway
Julian threw the deadbolt and yanked the door open, blocking the entrance with his broad frame. "Whatever you have to say, Arthur, you can say it through the door. Or better yet, tell it to my lawyer."
Arthur Sterling, a silver-haired man who wore bespoke suits like armor, offered a chillingly polite smile. He didn't look like a man whose family had just imploded; he looked like a predator who had just spotted an injured deer.
"Now, now, Julian. Is that any way to speak to your uncle?" Arthur said smoothly, his dark eyes trying to peer past Julian to catch a glimpse of Maya. "May I come in? This hallway smells terribly of cheap cabbage and despair."
"No, you may not," Julian said firmly. "Leave, Arthur."
"I’m afraid I can’t do that," Arthur replied, his smile dropping. "The board of directors is already convening an emergency meeting. The stock is plummeting in after-hours trading. The headline 'Sterling Heir Marries Long-Lost Sister' is currently trending number one worldwide. We are hemorrhaging millions by the second."
Maya stepped up behind Julian, still clutching his jacket. "We aren't siblings," she said, her voice sharp.
Arthur’s eyes locked onto her, and for a fraction of a second, Maya swore she saw absolute, unadulterated hatred flash in his gaze. But it vanished as quickly as it appeared. "Ah, the runaway bride. Or should I say, the returned princess. You certainly caused quite a stir today, my dear."
"What do you want, Arthur?" Julian demanded.
"Eleanor is in the hospital. She had a minor heart attack after you two fled the church," Arthur stated flatly.
Maya gasped, a sudden spike of guilt hitting her chest despite everything Eleanor had done. Julian, however, remained stone-faced. "Is she going to live?"
"She's stable. But she is demanding to see Maya. She wants the DNA test done immediately." Arthur reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a thick, sealed envelope. He held it out to Maya. "But I came to offer an alternative."
Maya didn't take it. "What is it?"
"A one-way ticket to Switzerland, a new identity, and fifty million dollars transferred to a secure offshore account," Arthur said, his voice dropping to a low, persuasive hum. "Take the money, Maya. Leave New York tonight. Disappear again. If you stay, the media will tear you apart. The board will tear Julian apart. You will destroy this family."
Julian slapped the envelope out of Arthur’s hand. It hit the floor with a heavy thud. "Are you out of your mind? You're trying to bribe her to leave?"
"I am trying to save this company!" Arthur snapped, his polished facade cracking. "Julian, think about it! If she stays, she is the biological heir! The trust stipulates that the bloodline inherits the controlling shares. You will be stripped of everything! You’ll be nothing but the charity case Eleanor brought in to dry her tears!"
Julian didn’t flinch. "I don’t care about the shares."
"You don't, but the board does. They will replace you with her. A penniless orphan with no education to run a global empire? It will be our ruin." Arthur looked at Maya. "Take the money, girl. It’s more than you’ve ever dreamed of. Walk away and let us put the ghost of Arabella back in the grave where she belongs."
Maya stared at Arthur, a chilling realization washing over her. Eleanor had been desperate to find her. Julian was desperate to protect her. But Arthur... Arthur was desperate to get rid of her.
"No," Maya said, stepping out from behind Julian. She met Arthur’s glare with a cold defiance. "I’m not going anywhere. And I'm not taking your money."
May you like
Arthur stared at her for a long, heavy moment. The polite uncle act was entirely gone. "You are making a very dangerous mistake, Arabella. Some secrets are buried for a reason."
He turned on his heel and walked away, his goons following silently behind him.
