Chapter 7 - THE GHOSTS OF THE PASTThree months passed, and the dust of the Sterling empire's collapse had settled into a permanent new world order.
The estate had been officially renamed Vance-Sterling Manor, a sanctuary not just for Leo and me, but transformed into a charitable foundation dedicated to helping children and families recover from severe trauma. I no longer hid in the shadows of high society; I ran the foundation as its chairwoman, using my family’s immense wealth and my newfound corporate dominance to empower those who had been silenced by powerful abusers.
Victoria and Brooke had long since vanished from the upscale neighborhoods. Stripped of their wealth, credit cards, and social standing, they had been forced to rent a cramped, rundown apartment on the far side of the city—a reality check so brutal that Brooke reportedly suffered a nervous breakdown within the first month.
As for Richard, his trial was set to begin in two weeks, and federal prosecutors were offering zero plea deals. He was facing up to fifteen years in federal prison for financial conspiracy and fraud.
One evening, as I was reviewing grant proposals in my home office, my private security detail buzzed through the gate intercom.
"Mrs. Sterling, you have an unannounced visitor at the front gate," the head of security said, his voice laced with caution. "It’s Arthur Pendelton. He insists it’s an urgent matter concerning Richard’s legal defense team."
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I frowned slightly. Arthur had been toeing the line of compliance since the corporate restructuring, keeping his head down and focusing entirely on salvaging what was left of Sterling Holdings' legitimate business. Why would he come here personally?
"Send him up to the conservatory," I instructed.
