Chapter 2 - The Hostage in the Attic
Richard's eyes were completely devoid of the refined charm he showed to his wealthy friends.
"You really should have left well enough alone, Alexander," Richard said with a chilling calmness.
Alexander did not flinch or back away from the weapon.
"You stole my niece and my family's entire legacy, Richard," Alexander growled.
"I built an empire with that money, and I am not letting some ghost from the past destroy it," Richard countered.
Two massive security guards emerged from the bushes and grabbed my arms tightly.
"Take the girl back to the estate and lock her in the attic," Richard ordered his men.
I kicked and screamed, but the guards easily overpowered me.
They dragged me to a black SUV and threw me into the back seat.
The ride back to the Greenwich estate was completely silent and terrifying.
Once inside the massive house, they hauled me up three flights of stairs.
They shoved me into the dusty, unfinished attic and locked the heavy iron door behind me.
I pounded my fists against the wood until my knuckles bled.
Hours passed in the freezing darkness as I tried to piece together my entire shattered reality.
I was not a charity case or a lucky orphan.
I was the rightful owner of the wealth the Sterlings had used to build their entire life.
Suddenly, I heard the heavy deadbolt click open.
The door creaked inward, revealing Sebastian holding a small flashlight.
My golden-child brother looked at me with an expression I had never seen before.
"I always knew you were not just some random orphan," Sebastian whispered.
"Please, Sebastian, let me go before they hurt me," I pleaded.
He stepped into the room and locked the door behind him.
"I am not here to save you, Mariana," he said with a cruel smile.
May you like
He pulled a thick stack of legal documents from his jacket pocket.
"You are going to sign over your entire inheritance to me right now."
