Chapter 7 - THE MAN BEHIND EVERYTHING
I rushed to Adrian’s study and knocked frantically. He opened the door immediately, seeing the alarm on my face.
“Olivia heard Vanessa calling someone ‘Judge’ on the phone,” I said breathlessly. “Late at night. Talking about plans.”
Adrian closed his eyes briefly. When he opened them, they were hard and bright with anger.
“Bring Olivia to me,” he said.
Moments later, Olivia sat on the sofa in Adrian’s study, repeating what she had heard. Adrian listened in silence, his face growing darker with every word.
“Did she mention names?” Adrian asked. “Dates? Places?”
“She mentioned a will,” Olivia said. “And something about changing it. And… she said once Emma was born, everything would fall into place.”
Adrian stood up abruptly and walked to his safe. He spun the dial, pulled the heavy door open, and withdrew a thick leather-bound folder. He carried it to his desk and opened it.
“This is my father’s will,” he said. “It was drafted and signed by Judge Sterling. It specifies that my entire estate goes to my wife upon my death. If I have no wife, it goes to my children. If I have no children… it goes to Robert Sterling.”
I gasped. “That’s why Vanessa wanted Emma out of the way.”
“Not just Emma,” Adrian said, his voice terrifyingly calm. “If I were to die… and Emma were gone… and Olivia were to be… disposed of… then everything goes to Sterling. And he has already promised Vanessa a share.”
“They planned it all,” I said. “The marriage. The children. The timing. Everything.”
Adrian looked at me, his eyes filled with pain and rage. “Vanessa didn’t marry me because she loved me. She married me because Sterling told her to. She was never my wife. She was his agent.”
“And now?” Olivia asked quietly.
Adrian looked at his daughter. “Now we fight. We expose them. And we make sure they never hurt anyone again.”
He reached for his phone and dialed. “Detective Miller? It’s Adrian. I have more information. Much more.”
He spoke quietly into the phone for several minutes, detailing everything Olivia had said. When he hung up, he looked at me.
“Detective Miller is obtaining a warrant to search Sterling’s financial records and his communications with Vanessa. But she warned me—Sterling will fight this. He has powerful friends. Good lawyers. It could take months to build a solid case.”
“We don’t have months,” I said. “Vanessa knows we are onto her. She will try something else. Soon.”
Adrian nodded. “Which is why I am going to see Sterling tonight. Alone.”
“Adrian, no—”
“I need to see his face when I tell him what I know,” Adrian said. “I need to know exactly how far this goes. And I need to give Detective Miller something she can use.”
“It’s dangerous,” I said.
“Everything about this situation is dangerous,” Adrian replied. “But I cannot hide while they threaten my children. I need to know the truth. And I need to know tonight.”
“Then I’m coming with you,” I said.
Adrian hesitated. “Clara—”
“I’ve seen Vanessa’s face. I’ve seen the man with her. I can identify him if needed. And… I can be your witness.”
Adrian looked at me long and hard. Finally, he nodded.
“Stay close to me,” he said. “And if anything goes wrong… run. Take the car. Go straight to the police station. Don’t come back here. Don’t go home. Go straight to Detective Miller.”
“Understood,” I said.
We made arrangements for Elena to stay with the girls. We told her not to open the door for anyone. Not even the police. Only us.
Then we got into Adrian’s car and drove toward Judge Sterling’s estate. A sprawling, heavily guarded property on the edge of town. As we approached the gates, Adrian slowed the car.
“Ready?” he asked.
I took a deep breath. “Yes.”
Adrian rolled down his window and spoke to the security guard. “Adrian Holloway to see Judge Sterling.”
The guard spoke into a radio. Moments later, the heavy iron gates swung slowly open.
“Judge Sterling will see you,” the guard said. “Follow the drive to the main house.”
As we drove up the long, tree-lined driveway, Adrian turned to me.
“Whatever happens in there,” he said quietly, “remember this: you are the only person who saved my children. You are the bravest person I have ever known. And if anything happens to me… you must protect them. Promise me.”
“I promise,” I said.
May you like
But as we stepped out of the car and walked toward the grand front entrance of the house, I had a terrible feeling. That we were walking into a trap. That Sterling had been expecting us. That Vanessa had warned him.
And that neither of us would be leaving.
