Chapter 8 - The Unwelcome Visitor
While I was commanding the boardroom on the thirty-ninth floor, down on the ground level of the Sterling Tower, a ragged, desperate figure was trying to slip past the front security desk.
His clothes were wrinkled, his hair was unkempt, and the expensive designer shoes he once wore were scuffed and caked with street dust.
It was Richard Vance—Ryan’s older brother, who had spent the last five years living out of state, managing a failing regional branch of his own family’s small business network. When Ryan had been arrested and his company liquidated, Richard had received a frantic collect call from a holding cell, followed by a series of desperate text messages from Vanessa before she completely vanished off the grid.
Now, fueled by misplaced family loyalty, bitter resentment, and a severe misunderstanding of how the corporate world worked, Richard had flown into the city intent on confronting the woman he blamed for his brother's ruin.
“I told you, sir, you cannot enter without an appointment or security clearance,” the front desk receptionist said politely, her hand resting firmly on the silent panic button under the counter.
“I don’t need an appointment!” Richard shouted, slamming his hand down on the marble desk, drawing the attention of several passing visitors and guards. “My brother built a life with Clara! She destroyed him! She used her grandfather's dirty billionaire money to ruin his business and throw him in prison! I demand to speak to her right now!”
Before the receptionist could press the button, two massive security guards stepped out from behind the pillars, grabbing Richard firmly by both arms.
“Sir, you are trespassing on private property,” the head guard stated coldly. “You have exactly three seconds to walk out those revolving doors on your own, or we will remove you horizontally.”
“You can’t do this to me! I’m a businessman!” Richard thrashed wildly, trying to break free, but the guards were built like brick walls. They hoisted him off his feet and dragged him backward toward the exit.
Just as they reached the revolving doors, the private elevator chimed, and I stepped out into the lobby, accompanied by Marcus Vance and two regional directors.
I stopped in my tracks, my eyes landing on the disheveled man struggling against the security guards.
Richard caught sight of me over the guard's shoulder, his eyes bulging with blind fury.
“Clara!” he screamed, straining against the grip of the guards. “You cold-hearted monster! How could you do that to Ryan?! He was your husband! You ruined his life over a petty dispute!”
I didn't flinch. I didn't raise my voice. I simply walked slowly across the polished marble floor until I stood just a few feet away from him, looking down with cold, absolute detachment.
“Ryan chose his own path, Richard,” I said calmly, my voice cutting through the lobby like glass. “He tried to steal from me, threw me out of a hospital while I was recovering from emergency surgery, and committed grand larceny and corporate fraud. My grandfather didn't put him in prison—his own greed did.”
Richard sneered, spitting onto the marble floor. “You think you’re untouchable just because your grandfather owns this building?! You’re nothing without a man standing next to you!”
Marcus stepped forward, his expression venomous. “One more word, Mr. Vance, and I will personally ensure that you join your brother in a holding cell before the hour is out.”
Richard’s face paled slightly as he looked at Marcus, then back at me. He realized he was entirely outmatched.
“Throw him out,” I instructed the guards quietly. “And ensure his name is permanently blacklisted from every property, business, and affiliate associated with Sterling Holdings.”
“Yes, Miss Sterling,” the guards echoed.
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As Richard was hauled out into the street, screaming obscenities into the autumn air, I turned back toward Marcus, adjusting my blazer without missing a beat.
“Let’s review the afternoon schedule in my office,” I said smoothly.
