Chapter 2 - The Sterling Estate
I slid into the luxurious leather seat of the SUV.
The interior was incredibly warm, and the scent of expensive cedar filled the air.
Julian sat in the front passenger seat and handed me a thick, dry towel over the console.
"We are heading to the secure estate in the suburbs, Ms. Miller," Julian informed me.
"Is my father there?" I asked, wrapping the warm towel around my shivering shoulders.
Julian did not answer immediately.
He looked out the rain-streaked window with a grim expression on his face.
"We will discuss everything when we arrive," Julian said quietly.
The drive took forty-five minutes through the winding, forested roads outside the city.
We passed through towering iron gates and pulled up to a massive stone mansion.
I stepped out of the vehicle and was immediately escorted inside by armed security guards.
A team of housekeepers rushed forward to take my wet coat and hand me dry, elegant clothes.
Once I changed, Julian led me into a sprawling, dimly lit mahogany boardroom.
A massive digital screen on the wall displayed SwiftFreight's plummeting stock futures.
"The $3.2 billion wire transfer has been completely frozen," Julian confirmed, pouring me a cup of hot tea.
"Gavin's company will file for bankruptcy by Friday without those funds."
I felt a dark sense of satisfaction wash over me.
"I need to speak with my father to finalize the cancellation," I stated.
Julian set the teapot down slowly.
"Your father cannot authorize anything, Sabrina," Julian said softly.
My heart suddenly skipped a beat.
"Why not?" I demanded, my hands trembling.
"Your father collapsed from a massive heart attack exactly three minutes after your phone call ended," Julian revealed.
I dropped my teacup, the hot liquid splashing across the expensive Persian rug.
"He is currently in a medically induced coma at a private hospital," Julian continued.
I covered my mouth, tears instantly blurring my vision.
"But before he lost consciousness, he signed an emergency proxy directive," Julian added.
He slid a heavy leather binder across the boardroom table.
I opened it and stared at the legal documents inside.
"You are now the acting head of the Sterling Meridian credit committee," Julian told me.
I looked up at him in absolute shock.
"And you have a massive problem," Julian warned, pulling out a glossy photograph.
He placed the photo directly on top of the legal papers.
"Gavin did not just want a divorce tonight," Julian explained.
May you like
I stared at the photograph, my blood running completely cold.
"Gavin secretly transferred forty million dollars of illegal offshore debt into your name using the divorce papers you just signed."
