A WEALTHY WOMAN PUSHED A PREGNANT WOMAN IN A WHEELCHAIR TOWARD A DEADLY CLIFF—BUT HER BROTHER RISKED HIS LIFE TO SAVE HER! WHAT HAPPENED NEXT WAS EVEN MORE TERRIFYING...

The Grand Ballroom of the Sterling Plaza Hotel in downtown Denver was a glittering sea of black ties, diamond necklaces, and flutes of vintage Dom Pérignon. Crystal chandeliers the size of small vehicles hung from vaulted ceilings gilded in twenty-four-karat gold.

Victoria Sterling stood at the center of the room, looking radiant in an emerald silk gown that hid any sign of the terror she had felt twenty-four hours earlier. Around her neck sat the Sterling Star—a sixty-carat sapphire necklace worth twelve million dollars.

"Victoria, you are an inspiration," Lady Ashford of London purred, sipping champagne. "To carry on hosting this philanthropic gala after the tragic death of your daughter-in-law's brother... Such strength!"

Victoria offered a delicate, sorrowful smile, dabbing the corner of her dry eyes with a lace handkerchief.

"Family duty comes first, my dear," Victoria sighed softly. "Poor Emily is under heavy sedation in a private psychiatric retreat. The grief was simply too much for her delicate mental state. But Julian and I must remain strong for the legacy."

Julian stood a few feet away, clutching a crystal tumbler of scotch. His eyes were bloodshot. Something didn't sit right in his gut. When he visited the ICU that morning, the room had been cleared, the windows replaced, and the police were calling it an 'attempted kidnapping by extremist groups.' His mother had refused to let him see the security tapes.

"Ladies and gentlemen," the master of ceremonies announced over the state-of-the-art sound system. "Please direct your attention to the main stage. The CEO of Sterling Global, Mr. Julian Sterling, will now present the Lifetime Leadership Award to his mother, Victoria Sterling!"

Applauds echoed through the massive hall.

Victoria glided up the carpeted steps, her head held high, basking in the adoration of high society. Julian reluctantly walked up to the podium, holding a golden statuette.

"Mother," Julian began into the microphone, his voice lacking its usual warmth. "You have always taught me... that family is the foundation of everything we build."

"Indeed it is, darling," Victoria whispered, stepping up to take the microphone.

Before her fingers could touch the brass stem, the lights in the grand ballroom snapped off.