Chapter 3 - The Infiltration
Two weeks had passed. My body was healing, though the hollow ache in my chest where Alicia should have been kept me awake at night. I wasn't the broken girl in the hospital bed anymore. Under my father’s guidance, I had been transformed.
I was no longer "June," the soft-spoken, struggling girl from the park. I was Julianna Thorne-Vance, a high-level private consultant hired to navigate the complex restructuring of Sterling Industries—a company that was, unbeknownst to Bennett, now deeply indebted to Thorne Capital.
The Sterling penthouse was cold, designed for status rather than comfort. As I walked through the foyer, clutching a leather briefcase, I heard a familiar, grating laugh. It was Miranda. She was lounging on a chaise, nursing a glass of wine, while a nanny hurried to quiet Alicia’s cries in the background.
Bennett stepped into the hall, his face etched with the frustration of a man losing a game he thought he’d already won. He stopped when he saw me. He didn't recognize me; the sharp tailored suit, the designer glasses, and the icy, professional demeanor created a mask he couldn't see behind.
"Ms. Thorne-Vance," Bennett said, his tone wary. "I wasn't informed the consultancy firm was sending a representative today."
"Mr. Sterling," I replied, my voice cool and detached. I didn't smile. "The Thorne group is concerned about the sudden liquidity crisis in your logistics division. My father—the CEO—wanted someone with a firm hand to oversee the audit. I am here to ensure that your remaining assets are managed in accordance with our interests."
He straightened, puffing out his chest to project confidence. "We don't need a babysitter, Ms. Thorne-Vance. We are managing the situation."
"Your stock prices suggest otherwise," I said, walking past him into the living room. My heart thundered as I saw Alicia. She was in a high-end bassinet, looking tiny and fragile. The urge to sprint to her, to scoop her up and never let go, was overwhelming, but I forced myself to stay still.
"I’ll need access to all internal communications regarding the surrogacy contract," I continued, glancing at the folder on the table. "My firm requires a full audit of all legal liabilities before we can authorize the next injection of capital."
Miranda stood up, her eyes narrowing. "That’s private family business. It has nothing to do with your firm."
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I looked at her, my gaze icy. "In this building, Ms. St. James, everything is business. And if you wish for Mr. Sterling to remain solvent for another month, you will provide the documents."
I saw the flash of fear in Bennett’s eyes. He was desperate. And for the first time, I saw the cracks in his armor. He was hungry, and I was the one holding the food.
