Chapter 4 - The Poisoned Legacy
The revelation hung in the air like heavy smog.
Twenty years ago, the Vance Corporation had executed a hostile takeover of the Sterling Enterprise, leading to the suspicious death of Arthur Sterling—Elena’s father. Elena had grown up in poverty, believing her father died of a heart attack, completely unaware that her entire life had been manipulated by the shadows of the Vance family.
"You monster..." Elena whispered, hot tears streaming down her face. She pulled Leo closer to her heart. "You stole my baby to satisfy your sick revenge?"
"Take her away," Julian commanded the officers, his voice completely devoid of emotion.
"Julian! You can't do this to me! I made you who you are!" Victoria screamed, kicking and flailing as the officers dragged her down the grand hallway. Her shrieks echoed through the mansion until the front doors slammed shut.
Silence returned to the study, but it offered no peace.
Marcus took a step forward, a predatory smile playing on his lips. "Well, brother. Now that the truth is out, let’s talk business. The board of directors has just been informed of Victoria’s arrest and the fraudulent acquisition of the company heir. Stock prices are dropping like a stone. And according to our father's will..."
Marcus paused, pulling out a second document. "...the CEO position can only be held by a married heir with a legitimate biological child born in wedlock. Leo is biological, yes, but he is illegitimate. You were never legally married to his biological mother."
Julian’s eyes narrowed into slits. "You orchestrated this entire night."
"I simply laid the trap; you and your crazy wife walked right into it," Marcus chuckled. "Unless you marry the maid by midnight tonight, Julian, the board will strip you of your chairmanship and hand Vance Global over to me."
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Elena looked at the two men, horrified. "I am not a bargaining chip! I am taking my son and leaving this place!"
"You can try, Miss Sterling," Marcus sneered. "But without money, legal backing, or power, Julian’s lawyers will tie you up in custody battles for the rest of your life. Or better yet... I will."
