Chapter 6
Later that afternoon, the living room was quiet, save for the hum of the air conditioning and the ticking of the grandfather clock.
Ethan sat at the antique desk in the study, reviewing the forensic financial audit reports sent over by his corporate legal team.
The betrayal ran deeper than he ever could have imagined, involving shell companies set up by Jessica and her secret lover.
He picked up his smartphone, dialing the direct extension of his chief executive counsel to initiate emergency asset recovery protocols.
"Freeze every single joint account, revoke all supplementary credit cards, and seize her personal assets immediately," Ethan ordered.
"Consider it done, Mr. Sterling; the court injunctions will be filed before the markets open tomorrow morning," his lawyer confirmed.
Ethan hung up, rubbing his tired eyes with his thumb and forefinger as the emotional exhaustion finally began to catch up.
A soft knock sounded on the study door before Chloe pushed it open, holding a fresh cup of black coffee on a silver tray.
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"I thought you could use this, sir... Mrs. Sterling is resting comfortably upstairs with a doctor attending to her arm," Chloe reported.
Ethan looked up, offering a tired, grateful nod as he accepted the tray from the young woman who had saved his mother.
