CHAPTER 4: The Surveillance Record
CHAPTER 4: The Surveillance Record
"You're lying!" Arthur shrieked, lunging forward across the table as if he intended to physically assault the attorney. "You can't just cut me off! I'm the vice president of Sterling Acquisitions! I sign contracts! I run the regional offices!"
Before Arthur could take another step, the heavy oak doors behind Mr. Caldwell unlocked with a sharp click and swung open. Two massive men in dark suits—estate security personnel—stepped into the room, instantly placing themselves between Arthur and the attorney. They didn't draw weapons, but their sheer physical presence and cold professionalism made it clear that Arthur was entirely outmatched.
"You haven't signed a valid corporate document in three months, Arthur," Mr. Caldwell said smoothly, stepping back out of Arthur's reach. "Three weeks ago, Mr. Sterling transferred all executive signing authority over to the legal compliance division under my direct supervision. You were kept in your office simply because it amused your grandfather to watch you play corporate executive while steering your own ship toward the rocks."
Eleanor collapsed back into her chair, her manicured hands trembling violently as she clutched her chest. Her haughty facade had completely disintegrated.
"This is absurd," Eleanor whispered, her voice cracking. "Harrison wouldn't do this to me. I’ve been his wife for forty years! I socialized with senators, hosted charity galas, maintained the social standing of this family! You can't strip us of everything because of a silly little maid—"
"Mistress," Mr. Caldwell corrected her sharply, his eyes flashing with contempt. "And let us not pretend, Eleanor, that you were unaware of your son's activities. In fact, financial audits conducted this week reveal that you authorized corporate expense accounts to cover Miss Vance’s boutique shopping sprees in Manhattan under the guise of 'marketing research'."
Eleanor flinched as if she had been physically struck. She opened her mouth to defend herself, but no words came out.
Chloe, realizing that the Sterling family ship was sinking and taking everyone with it, suddenly pivoted. All the fake sweetness vanished from her face, replaced by a sharp, venomous panic. She turned on Arthur with a snarl.
"You pathetic loser!" Chloe screamed, shoving Arthur hard in the chest. "You told me you were the undisputed king of this empire! You told me your grandfather was a vegetable and you controlled everything! You lied to me!"
Arthur, stunned by the sudden betrayal from the woman he had risked his entire marriage and reputation for, stared at her in sheer disbelief. "Chloe... wait... we planned this together—"
"Shut up! Don't you dare associate me with your pathetic failure!" Chloe shrieked, her voice echoing off the stone walls. She turned to Mr. Caldwell, pasting on a pathetic, tear-streaked expression and fluttering her eyelashes. "Listen to me, Mr. Caldwell! I was just an employee! He tricked me! He told me his wife was a gold-digger who didn't care about him! He seduced me! I’m an innocent victim in all of this!"
I couldn't help it. A dry, humorless laugh escaped my lips.
Chloe whipped her head around, glaring at me with pure venom. "Shut up, you stupid cow! This is all your fault! If you had just stayed upstairs or divorced him quietly like a normal woman—"
"That’s enough, Miss Vance," Mr. Caldwell interrupted, his voice cutting through her rant like a scalpel. He gestured to the two security guards. "Escort Miss Vance to the front gates. Her car has already been towed off the property. She is permanently barred from all Sterling estates, effective immediately."
"You can't do this to me! Do you know who my father is?" Chloe shrieked as the two massive guards each grabbed her firmly by the upper arms, lifting her slightly off her feet as she kicked and screamed.
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"Yes, Miss Vance," Caldwell replied dryly as they dragged her backward toward the double doors. "He’s a mid-level zoning inspector in Yonkers who is currently facing an ethics investigation by the city council—an investigation that our corporate legal team initiated this morning. Have a pleasant walk down the driveway. It's about three miles to the main road."
Chloe’s desperate screams echoed down the long hallway until the heavy oak doors slammed shut behind her, cutting off her voice completely.
