Chapter 10 - The Unmarked Envelope From London
In September 2026, a crisp autumn breeze blew across the terrace of our Manhattan penthouse overlooking Central Park.
I was reviewing our European shipping manifests when Victor walked onto the terrace, holding a heavy cream-colored envelope.
“This was just delivered by a private courier from London, Ms. Vance,” Victor reported respectfully, placing the letter on the table.
“It requires your personal signature to verify receipt at the gate.”
I picked up the envelope, examining the vintage wax seal stamped on the back—a seal bearing the crest of the British House of Lords.
I used a silver letter opener to slice open the top, pulling out a single sheet of thick parchment paper written in dark fountain pen ink.
“Dear Ava,” the letter began, sending an electric surge of mysterious adrenaline rushing through my chest.
“You believe you have dismantled the Sterling empire and punished the men who abused your trust in New York.”
“You have no idea that Ryan Sterling was merely a proxy investor for a far larger syndicate based in London.”
“Inside Vault 44 at the Bank of England lies the original charter proving that your father’s empire was built on stolen European capital.”
“If you do not transfer thirty percent of Vance Global Logistics to my London firm by next Friday…”
“We will release the documentation to the international courts, destroying your family name forever.”
I held the letter in my hand, looking out over the New York skyline as a brand-new, thrilling challenge took shape before my eyes.
May you like
A slow, confident smile spread across my face as I picked up my phone to call our international legal team in London.
The story was far from over, and the ultimate war for our global syndicate was about to begin across the Atlantic Ocean.
