Chapter 4 - THE RESCUENoah broke free from Victoria’s slackened grip.
He didn't run to the woman in the silver gown who had kept him isolated for months. Instead, he sprinted across the marble floor, throwing his arms around my waist, burying his face in my coat.
"Mommy!" he sobbed, his small frame shaking. "I missed you so much! She wouldn't let me talk to you!"
I dropped to my knees, ignoring the agonizing stab of pain in my ribs, and wrapped my arms tightly around my son. I buried my face in his hair, blinking away hot tears of relief.
"I've got you, baby," I whispered fiercely against his ear. "Mommy is right here. We're never going back."
Victoria watched us, her face twisting into an ugly, mask-like snarl of pure hatred. As federal agents moved in, snapping heavy steel handcuffs around her wrists, she thrashed against them like a cornered animal.
"You haven't won!" Victoria screamed as they dragged her kicking and cursing toward the exit. "You'll never get a penny of the Sterling estate! You'll rot in poverty with that brat!"
"The estate was never yours to steal, Victoria," I called out calmly, standing up with Noah safely lifted in my arms.
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Agent Vance walked over, handing me a heavy, water-resistant manila folder bearing the seal of the New York State Supreme Court.
"The asset forfeiture freeze is complete, Mrs. Sterling," Vance told me with a respectful nod. "Every hidden bank account, every offshore shell company, and the entire Sterling Foundation endowment have been successfully reverted to your legal guardianship as Daniel's sole surviving beneficiary."
