Chapter 22
I stepped off the stage into the quiet corridor behind the ballroom, unsealing the heavy black envelope.
Inside was a single sheet of thick, cream-colored parchment written in dark red ink.
The handwriting was elegant, precise, and unmistakably foreign.
“Dear Amelia,” the letter began.
“Congratulations on defeating your foolish father and clearing the Sterling name from Grand Haven.”
“However, Arthur Sterling was not the sole owner of the four hundred million dollars stored in Vault 9.”
“Two hundred million of those funds belonged to the Sovereign Investment Council of Zurich.”
“We give you thirty days to return our capital to our private account in Geneva.”
“If the funds are not returned by the end of the month, we will take Grand Haven piece by piece.”
“Starting with your sister.”
My breath caught in my throat as I stared at the dark red ink on the parchment paper.
I looked over at Charlotte, who was laughing happily near the dessert table with Marcus and the staff.
She had no idea that a new, far more dangerous shadow had just fallen across our lives.
My father’s sins were not finished with us; they were simply expanding across international borders.
I folded the letter carefully, sliding it into the pocket of my emerald green dress.
“Amelia? Is everything okay?” Charlotte called out, walking over with a glass of champagne.
I forced a warm, confident smile onto my face, stepping back out into the light of the ballroom.
May you like
“Everything is fine, Charlotte,” I lied softly, my mind already calculating our next defense strategy.
“Just another business matter to take care of.”
