Chapter 3 - Eleanor Tries To Deny The Truth
Eleanor forced a tight, brittle smile to her lips, attempting to claw back some semblance of her fading social authority.
“Arthur, darling, this is a terrible joke,” Eleanor laughed nervously, though her eyes darted frantically around the patio.
“You can’t expect us to believe that an ordinary waitress is the sole heir to the Sterling shipping dynasty.”
Arthur did not smile back; his expression remained carved from absolute ice as he stepped closer to the marble edge.
“There is no joke here, Eleanor,” Arthur stated, his voice dropping an octave into a low, terrifyingly calm register.
“For six months, my daughter has worked in our own hotels and event venues to understand the real human cost of corporate greed.”
Eleanor’s face flushed a deep crimson as she realized the devastating trap she had walked right into.
She had spent years consolidating her influence over the Sterling family holdings, assuming Emily was entirely out of the picture.
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“She doesn't belong here among us,” Eleanor snapped, her aristocratic mask finally slipping completely off.
“She belongs back behind the service bar where she was pouring drinks for our guests.”
