The grand ballroom of the Astoria Foundation Gala shimmered beneath thousands of crystal lights.

Julian stood up slowly, looking around the magnificent office that had been his sanctuary for a decade. "What will you do with it?" he asked, his voice a pathetic whisper. "The company. It's tied to my name."

"Not for long," Clara replied. "By tomorrow, Sterling Enterprises will be rebranded as Vanguard Holdings. I'm restructuring the debt, firing your incompetent board, and taking the company private. I will build it back, stronger, leaner, and completely without you."

Julian walked toward the door, his shoulders slumped. He looked like an old man, defeated and broken. He opened the door, then paused, looking back at her one last time.

"Did you ever really love me, Clara? Or was I just a project to you?"

Clara looked at him, her expression perfectly composed. "I loved the man I thought you were twenty-five years ago. But that man died a long time ago, Julian. The man you became was just an obstacle. And I always remove my obstacles."

Julian swallowed hard, nodded slowly, and walked out into the hallway. Two large security guards immediately flanked him, guiding the former king toward the elevator.

Clara stood alone in the massive executive office. The room was quiet now. She walked behind the massive oak desk and turned to face the floor-to-ceiling windows. The rain was beginning to clear, and the pale morning sun was breaking through the gray clouds, casting a golden light over the Manhattan skyline.

She reached up and touched the heavy diamond necklace still resting against her collarbone—the Sterling Star. She smiled.

She sat down in the heavy leather CEO's chair. It fit her perfectly. She opened the top drawer, pulled out a fresh notepad, and picked up her own pen.

There was a knock on the open door. It was Arthur Vance, the billionaire investor, looking thoroughly humbled.

"Clara," Arthur said respectfully, stepping into the office. "I heard the news. The board is gone. Julian is out. What's our next move, Madam CEO?"