Chapter 4: The Tables Turn
Vanessa’s face drained of color. She looked at Liam, then at Arthur. The realization hit her like a physical blow. She knew the name Sterling. Every person in this city knew the name Sterling. They were the titans of the industry.
"You... you own this?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
"My father built it," Liam said, stepping up beside him. "And through a series of legal maneuvers, it was taken from him during his illness by a board that didn't have his vision. But, Vanessa, your father was the lead partner in that hostile takeover."
"My father said he earned it!" she cried, her ego desperate to survive.
"Your father," Arthur said calmly, "has been under investigation for embezzlement for the last six months. We were just waiting for the final audit to finalize the buy-back. As of this morning, the shares were frozen. I signed the paperwork at 9:00 AM. I am, once again, the majority shareholder."
Vanessa staggered back. "This can't be true."
"You were coming here to brag, weren't you?" Liam asked, a bitter smile on his face. "You knew your father’s position was precarious, and you wanted to flaunt your status one last time before the money ran out. You wanted to feel like a queen in a castle that wasn't yours."
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"Get out," Arthur said, his voice devoid of anger, full only of disappointment. "Leave your keys. You are banned from every property under our brand. Permanently."
Vanessa looked around. The lobby, which had been her stage, was now her prison. The eyes that had once admired her were now looking at her with disgust. She turned and ran, leaving her car, her pride, and her status on the marble floor.
