Chapter 3 - The Secret Behind Sterling Tower
Willow spent that night in the bedroom she had grown up in.
Michael had never changed much.
Same oak dresser.
Same framed high school art competition ribbon.
Same faded glow-in-the-dark stars still stuck to one corner of the ceiling.
At 7:10 the next morning, Willow walked into the kitchen.
Her father was making coffee.
“You’re not a mechanic.”
Michael turned.
“I am absolutely a mechanic.”
“You know what I mean.”
He poured her a cup.
Willow sat.
“Tell me everything.”
Michael leaned against the counter.
“My father, your grandfather Patrick, founded Donovan Precision in 1969.”
“I knew that.”
“He supplied components to Sterling Manufacturing.”
“Okay.”
“When Sterling almost went bankrupt during expansion, Patrick put money into it.”
“How much?”
“At the time? Nearly everything he had.”
Willow stared.
“He saved them?”
“Yes.”
“Why did nobody ever know?”
“Because your grandfather didn’t want attention. And because the Sterlings preferred people believing they built everything alone.”
Willow thought of Richard’s family crest stamped on invitations.
Sterling legacy.
Sterling tradition.
Sterling excellence.
She laughed bitterly.
“The empire he mocked me for not belonging to partly exists because of us.”
Michael nodded.
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you tell me when I married Lucas?”
“I hoped it wouldn’t matter.”
“It mattered.”
“I know.”
“Did Lucas know?”
“No.”
“Richard?”
“Yes.”
Willow’s eyes narrowed.
“He knew who I was?”
“Yes.”
“And he still called us trash?”
Michael looked ashamed.
“That’s partly why I stayed quiet. I wanted to know how they treated you when they thought we had nothing they wanted.”
Willow stared at him.
“Dad.”
“I know.”
“You watched this happen for five years?”
“No.”
His answer was immediate.
“I knew Richard was arrogant. I didn’t know Lucas was controlling you.”
Willow looked down.
Michael’s voice softened.
“You got very good at pretending.”
“I thought I was protecting my marriage.”
“You were protecting him from consequences.”
She swallowed.
The doorbell rang.
Helena entered minutes later carrying bagels and anger.
“I’ve already blocked Lucas on your phone.”
Willow looked at her.
“You what?”
“You can unblock him after breakfast.”
Michael almost smiled.
Helena put down the bag.
“Also, your face is everywhere.”
Willow froze.
“What?”
Helena showed her phone.
Someone at the party had recorded the confrontation.
The video stopped before Lucas’s hand connected, but the sound was unmistakable.
So was the laughter afterward.
Comments were exploding online.
Helena scrolled.
“Most people are furious.”
Willow read one headline.
STERLING HEIR STRIKES WIFE AT ANNIVERSARY GALA
Michael took the phone.
“That changes things.”
“How?”
“It puts pressure on the board.”
His phone rang.
He answered.
“Donovan.”
A woman spoke loudly enough for Willow to hear.
“Mr. Donovan, this is Ellen Shaw from Sterling Global’s board.”
Michael put the call on speaker.
“Good morning, Ellen.”
“Is the review real?”
“Yes.”
A pause.
“Richard says you’re retaliating over a domestic dispute.”
Michael looked at Willow.
“My daughter was struck by the CEO’s son in front of six hundred witnesses.”
Ellen sighed.
“I’ve seen the video.”
“Then don’t call it a dispute.”
Another pause.
“What do you want from the board?”
“Preserve records. Freeze non-routine transfers. Do not allow Richard or Lucas to destroy, remove, or amend company files.”
Ellen’s voice sharpened.
“You think they might?”
“I know Richard.”
Ellen was silent.
Then said, “There’s something you should see.”
Michael straightened.
“What?”
“A transfer authorization.”
“When?”
“Three weeks ago.”
“How much?”
“Eighty-four million.”
Willow’s mouth fell open.
Michael’s expression didn’t change.
“Destination?”
“A company called Ashcroft Meridian.”
Helena whispered, “That sounds fake.”
Michael asked, “Who signed it?”
Ellen hesitated.
“Lucas Sterling.”
Willow shut her eyes.
Michael asked, “Who approved it?”
“Richard.”
The kitchen became silent.
Then Willow said, “What is Ashcroft Meridian?”
Nobody answered.
Michael looked at Ellen through the phone as if he could see her.
“Find out.”
“I already did.”
“And?”
“It’s registered in Delaware.”
“That tells me nothing.”
“The beneficial owner is concealed through two trusts.”
Michael’s jaw tightened.
“But?”
Ellen hesitated again.
“One of the registered agents has appeared in Sterling family records before.”
“Whose?”
“Amanda Sterling.”
Willow opened her eyes.
Lucas’s first wife.
Michael looked at Willow.
“You said Amanda left because of the family.”
“That’s what Richard always claimed.”
Willow remembered Amanda’s name being treated like a curse.
No photographs.
No explanations.
Just a beautiful first wife who had mysteriously disappeared from Chicago.
Michael picked up his keys.
“Where are you going?”
“Downtown.”
Willow stood.
“I’m coming.”
“No.”
“Dad.”
“Willow—”
“This is my marriage.”
Michael looked at her.
She continued.
“Whatever Lucas did, I want to hear it myself.”
Helena stood too.
“I’m coming.”
Michael frowned.
Helena crossed her arms.
“You’re not getting rid of me either.”
For the first time since the ballroom, Willow smiled.
May you like
“Welcome to my life.”
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