Chapter 4 - The Sound of Silence
Sterling practically shoved his way through the crowd of billionaires, forcing a practiced, humble smile onto his face as he approached the titan of Wall Street. Victoria trailed closely behind him, preening like a queen about to be crowned.
"Mr. Vance!" Sterling called out, his voice slightly too eager. "It is an absolute honor to welcome you to Newport. I'm Sterling Montgomery, CEO of Montgomery Real Estate. We spoke via email regarding the debt consolidation—"
Arthur Vance didn't even look at Sterling’s outstretched hand. His cold, slate-gray eyes swept past the young executive as if he were invisible.
"Get out of my way," Arthur said, his voice quiet yet carrying the weight of a thunderclap.
Sterling froze, his hand hanging awkwardly in the air. "I—pardon me, sir? I thought we were scheduling our signing ceremony tonight—"
Before Sterling could finish his sentence, a small commotion broke out near the private elevator entrance behind Arthur's security team.
A little girl in a pale blue cardigan broke away from a personal security guard, her tiny footsteps echoing across the polished marble floor. She ran straight into the middle of the circle surrounding the most feared billionaire in North America.
"Hazel!" Sterling barked, his face turning bright red with embarrassment. He lunged forward to grab her. "What are you doing here?! Get her out of here!"
May you like
But Hazel didn't look at her father. She ran straight toward Arthur Vance.
The entire ballroom gasped in collective horror. Security moved to intervene, but Arthur raised a single, absolute hand to stop them.
