Chapter 13 - Warning the conflicted father about the devastating consequences if he dares to defy his powerful fiancée and her influential political family during the grand gala.
Before Ethan could speak further, a sharp knock echoed against the mahogany doors of the VIP salon.
Marcus unlocked the door cautiously, revealing senior legal counsel Vance standing in the hallway looking pale and distressed.
"Mr. Sterling, you have an urgent call on the private line from your father; he says it's a matter of corporate survival," Vance reported.
Ethan walked over, taking the secure satellite phone from his lawyer's hand with a completely expressionless face.
"Father," Ethan answered, his voice cutting through the receiver like a razor-sharp blade.
"Have you lost your absolute mind, Ethan? Vanessa's father is threatening to pull all political funding from our rail transport contracts!" his father roared.
"Tell Senator Vance that his offshore bribery logs are currently sitting on the desk of the federal prosecutor," Ethan countered smoothly.
"You wouldn't dare! That would destroy our family name and land half our board in a federal penitentiary!" his father gasped.
"You destroyed this family five years ago when you lied to me about Clara and my son," Ethan growled into the phone.
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He slammed the receiver down onto the cradle, cutting off his father's frantic protests with absolute, unyielding finality.
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