Chapter 3 - THE UNWELCOME REUNION
Just as Vivian was escorted out of the building by four towering security guards, wailing in despair, another elevator chimed.
Out stepped a man wearing an Italian suit, carrying an expensive bouquet of orchids and a gold-wrapped gift box. He had a million-dollar smile and a slicked-back hairstyle.
Julian Sterling.
Elena’s ex-fiancé—and the biological father who had abandoned Leo six years ago when he found out Elena’s family had fallen into financial trouble after her grandfather’s temporary illness.
Elena’s eyes narrowed into slits. “Marcus, give us the room.”
Marcus glared at Julian as he walked out, whispering a stern warning to the man before closing the double doors.
Julian strutted into the office with an insufferable air of confidence, putting the flowers and the gold box right on Elena’s desk.
“Elena, my darling,” Julian purred, attempting to reach for her hand. “I heard the incredible news on Wall Street this morning. Arthur’s secret heir! I always knew you were destined for greatness.”
Elena slapped his hand away cleanly. “Don't touch me, Julian. And don't use my name like we’re friends. What are you doing here?”
Julian put his hands up defensively, smiling warmly. “Can’t a man visit the mother of his child? I saw the news clips from last night. I saw how you protected our little boy, Leo. It brought tears to my eyes, Elena. I realize now what a terrible mistake I made six years ago when I left.”
“You left because you thought I was broke,” Elena snapped coldly. “You cut off all contact, blocked my calls, and refused to pay a single penny in child support while Leo was in the hospital with a high fever.”
“I was young and stupid!” Julian pleaded smoothly, moving around the desk. “I was scared! But I’ve changed, Elena. Look at me—I’m a partner at Sterling Capital now. Together, with your Vance Group inheritance and my financial firm, we can build an empire for Leo. We can be a real family again.”
Elena chuckled darkly. “You think I’m stupid, Julian?”
She pulled up a file on her computer screen and turned the monitor toward him.
“Sterling Capital is facing a massive liquidity crisis,” Elena read off the screen. “You embezzled $12 million from your client accounts to cover your gambling debts in Macao. You don’t want your son. You want my money to save you from going to federal prison.”
Julian’s charming smile instantly melted away. His eyes turned dark and menacing.
“Careful, Elena,” Julian warned, his voice losing its warmth. “You might have a lot of money now, but legally, I am still Leo’s biological father. I never signed away my parental rights.”
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Elena stood up, taking a step toward him without an ounce of fear. “Is that a threat?”
“It’s leverage,” Julian smirked sneeringly. “You give me $15 million to clear my firm’s debts, or I drag you through a messy, public child custody battle. I’ll leak stories to the press claiming you’re an unfit mother who raised our son in hiding. Let’s see what that does to Vance Group’s stock price.”
