Chapter 10 - The Sterling Celebration
That evening, the atmosphere at the Sterling private penthouse was the antithesis of the misery suffocating the rest of the Carter family.
A private dinner was laid out in the grand dining room overlooking the shimmering lights of the Hudson River. Arthur Pendelton sat at our right, holding a glass of vintage champagne, while Eleanor Vance smiled warmly, reviewing the finalized transfer deeds that officially sealed the Carter assets forever into my name.
Julian sat beside me, holding Leo against his broad chest with an ease that made my heart ache with tenderness. The ruthless titan who had terrified Manhattan’s elite earlier that afternoon was softly humming a lullaby to our son.
"To Margaret Carter," Arthur said, raising his crystal flute. "A woman whose vision surpassed the greed of small-minded men."
"To Margaret," Julian and I echoed.
As the crystal clinked, Julian looked at me, his silver eyes filled with profound admiration. "You were magnificent today, Clara. The city will remember this day for a generation."
"I only took back what belonged to my mother and grandmother," I murmured, resting my hand against his cheek. "None of it would have happened without you, Julian."
"Everything I have is yours," Julian replied simply. "Before I met you, my wealth was just numbers on an audited ledger. You gave it purpose."
Our dinner was interrupted by the discreet chime of Eleanor Vance’s phone. She glanced at the screen, and the smile faded from her lips.
"Clara, Julian," Eleanor said, setting her glass down. "We have a development. Robert Carter has been admitted to the Bellevue psychiatric observation ward after collapsing outside a midtown diner. But that isn't the problem."
Julian’s eyes narrowed instantly. "What is?"
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"Evelyn and Tristan disappeared from the midtown area two hours ago," Eleanor reported. "Our surveillance team tracked a burner phone signal originating from Evelyn’s location to a private server registered to Marcus Sterling."
***
