Chapter 6 - THE STORY GOES PUBLIC
By 7:00 the next morning, Elena’s photograph was everywhere.
WIFE OF VANCE HEIR ACCUSED IN JEWELRY DISPUTE.
SOCIALITE FAMILY DINNER ENDS WITH POLICE.
MYSTERY WOMAN REVEALED AS STERLING HEIRESS.
The headlines multiplied by the minute.
Some stories claimed Elena had stolen Eleanor’s necklace.
Others said Thomas Sterling had used police connections to intimidate the Vance family.
One website claimed Elena’s marriage to Julian had been part of a secret corporate takeover.
Elena sat in her father’s Manhattan apartment wearing the same clothes from the night before.
She watched the television silently.
Thomas entered carrying coffee.
“Do not read the comments.”
“I am not.”
“You are staring directly at them.”
“I am observing humanity disappoint me.”
Thomas almost smiled.
Arthur Vance called at 7:14.
Thomas put him on speaker.
“We found the source.”
Arthur sounded exhausted.
“Victoria contacted a publicist at 10:32 last night.”
Before Elena had called Thomas.
Before the police arrived.
Before anyone knew the camera footage existed.
“She already had statements prepared.”
Elena frowned.
“So the necklace accusation was supposed to become public.”
“Yes.”
Arthur took a breath.
“There is more.”
Julian’s voice appeared in the background.
“Let me tell her.”
A moment later, he came onto the line.
“Elena.”
She remained silent.
Julian continued.
“The documents in your desk were not meant to frame you for stealing money.”
“Then what?”
“They were meant to make it look like I transferred Vance shares to a company connected to you.”
Elena’s stomach tightened.
Thomas immediately understood.
“They wanted the board to believe Elena manipulated Julian.”
Julian said quietly, “Exactly.”
If the scandal worked, Julian would appear incompetent.
Elena would appear predatory.
The Vance board could remove Julian’s authority.
And Eleanor could argue that temporary control should remain within the family.
Meaning her.
Elena looked at Thomas.
“Victoria was destroying both of us.”
Arthur answered.
“Yes.”
Thomas paced toward the windows.
“And once Julian was removed, Eleanor could negotiate with Northstar Meridian.”
Arthur exhaled.
“That is what we believe.”
Elena looked at the television again.
A commentator was discussing her photograph.
This was no longer a family argument.
It was a corporate attack.
Thomas picked up his phone.
“I am calling my attorneys.”
Elena stopped him.
“No.”
Thomas looked surprised.
“I want to handle the first part myself.”
“Elena.”
“For two years, everyone assumed I stayed quiet because I was weak.”
May you like
She stood.
“Let them hear me now.”
