Chapter 2 - THE NAME SHE NEVER USED
Julian stared at Thomas Sterling as though the room had tilted beneath him.
Everyone in New York knew the Sterling name.
Sterling Global owned logistics companies, hotels, commercial real estate, technology firms, and private investment funds across four continents.
Thomas Sterling rarely appeared in public.
But businessmen knew his face.
Julian certainly did.
He had once spent six months trying to secure a meeting with him.
“You are Elena’s father?”
Thomas nodded.
Julian turned toward Elena.
“You told me your father ran a small investment company.”
“He does.”
Thomas almost smiled.
“It simply happens to manage a little more than you assumed.”
Eleanor sank slowly into an armchair.
Victoria whispered something under her breath.
Elena ignored them.
For two years, she had deliberately avoided using the Sterling name.
Her late mother had been Elena Moreno before marrying Thomas Sterling, and Elena had used Moreno professionally after college.
She wanted a career built without her father’s influence.
She also wanted relationships untouched by wealth.
When she met Julian at a charity planning meeting, she told him exactly that.
Her family was comfortable.
Her father worked in investments.
Nothing she said had technically been false.
She simply never told him how large the numbers were.
Julian ran a hand through his hair.
“Why would you hide this from me?”
Elena looked at him.
“Because I wanted to know who you were when you thought I had nothing to offer you.”
That answer hit harder than any accusation.
Arthur glanced toward his grandson.
“And tonight appears to have provided the answer.”
Julian looked wounded.
“I did not accuse her.”
Elena remembered his words from minutes earlier.
If you would just let them search, we will sort this out afterward.
“You asked me to prove my innocence.”
Julian swallowed.
“I was trying to calm everyone down.”
“You were trying to make the uncomfortable moment disappear.”
Elena shook her head.
“And you were willing to humiliate me to accomplish it.”
Behind them, the police officer cleared his throat.
“Mr. Vance, we need to review the full recording.”
Arthur nodded.
“It is already backed up.”
Victoria suddenly moved toward the doorway.
Thomas did not even look at her.
“Officer.”
One of the policemen stepped into her path.
Victoria stopped.
“What are you doing?”
Arthur’s expression hardened.
“Making sure nobody leaves until we know exactly what happened.”
Victoria laughed nervously.
“This is insane.”
Then the officer holding Arthur’s tablet looked up.
“Sir.”
Everyone turned.
“There is more than the necklace.”
Arthur frowned.
“What do you mean?”
The officer enlarged something on the screen.
“Ms. Vance was carrying an envelope when she entered the bedroom.”
Victoria’s breathing changed.
Arthur looked at her.
May you like
“What envelope?”
This time Victoria had no answer.
