Chapter 9 - ELEANOR’S SON
His name was Adrian.
Arthur refused to believe him.
Eleanor had never been pregnant.
At least not that Arthur knew.
Adrian handed him a DNA report.
Arthur didn’t touch it.
“Anyone can fabricate paper.”
Adrian smiled.
“Then test me yourself.”
Maya watched him.
“Why are you helping Eleanor?”
“I’m not.”
“Then why are you here?”
“To stop her.”
Arthur laughed bitterly.
“Everyone suddenly wants to stop Eleanor after helping her for twenty years.”
Adrian’s expression hardened.
“You think I had a choice?”
He explained.
Eleanor gave birth before marrying Arthur.
Charles Sterling arranged the adoption.
Then Eleanor entered Arthur’s life three years later.
Arthur stared.
“My father knew?”
“Your father arranged everything.”
Arthur felt another layer of his life collapse.
Adrian continued.
“Eleanor married you because Charles promised she would eventually control Sterling International.”
“But Charles changed his will.”
“Why?”
Adrian looked at Maya.
“Because Maya was born.”
Maya froze.
Charles had created a secret provision.
If his biological daughter was ever located, thirty-one percent of the family holding company would transfer to her.
That stake was enough to prevent Eleanor from controlling the empire.
Maya stared at Arthur.
“I don’t want it.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Adrian said.
“Legally, it exists.”
Arthur suddenly understood.
Eleanor needed Maya gone.
She needed Arthur imprisoned.
She needed Claire controlled.
And she needed Richard discredited.
Every Sterling heir had been placed on the board.
Adrian looked toward the window.
“She’s gathering you.”
“For what?”
“The final signing.”
Arthur stared.
“Where’s Claire?”
Adrian hesitated.
Then answered.
“With Eleanor.”
“Where?”
Before he could respond, a red laser dot appeared against Adrian’s chest.
Maya saw it first.
“Down!”
They dropped.
The window shattered.
Daniel pulled them behind the bar.
Arthur grabbed Adrian.
“Where is she?”
Adrian was bleeding from shattered glass but conscious.
“Sterling Tower.”
Arthur frowned.
“That’s impossible.”
Sterling Tower contained the company’s headquarters.
Hundreds of employees.
May you like
Adrian smiled weakly.
“That’s why nobody looks there.”
