Chapter 9: Corporate Exile
"Good morning, Mr. Sterling," Chloe said, her voice lacking its usual warmth. She avoided direct eye contact, focusing intently on a stack of legal briefs in front of her.
"Morning, Chloe. Is managing partner Harris in his office?" Jacob asked, stepping past the reception desk toward the executive corridor.
"Actually, Mr. Sterling... Mr. Harris requested that you go directly to the conference room upon your arrival," Chloe said quickly, finally looking up with a worried frown. "There's... an emergency meeting underway."
Jacob’s stride faltered for a fraction of a second. He knew Evelyn had deep ties to the firm—her late husband had been one of its founding partners, and the Sterling name was etched onto the brass plaque beside the double doors. But bringing family business into corporate affairs was a line even Evelyn rarely crossed openly.
He pushed open the heavy mahogany doors of the main conference room. Seated around the polished oak table were Arthur Harris, the senior managing partner, and two corporate compliance officers Jacob had rarely interacted with. At the head of the table sat Evelyn Sterling, dressed in a sharp charcoal blazer over her beige satin dress, her black handbag resting neatly beside her leather-bound notepad.
Arthur Harris cleared his throat, looking distinctly uncomfortable as Jacob walked in. "Jacob, please, take a seat. We were just discussing... administrative restructuring."
Jacob remained standing, his hands resting on the back of an empty chair. He looked directly at his mother, who met his gaze with absolute, unyielding coldness.
"Let's not waste time with corporate euphemisms, Arthur," Jacob said, his voice cutting clearly through the silent room. "Why is my mother here in a closed executive meeting?"
Evelyn was the one who answered, her tone measured and authoritative. "I am here, Jacob, because the Sterling Family Trust holds the controlling interest in the real estate lease for this entire floor. Furthermore, as the primary executor of the partnership endowment, I have formal concerns regarding your current... stability and judgment."
Arthur Harris shifted uncomfortably in his leather chair, adjusting his glasses. "Jacob, your mother presented documentation regarding a domestic dispute over the weekend. The firm has a strict code of conduct concerning public controversies involving partners. Given the... delicate nature of the allegations regarding your household, the board has decided to place you on an indefinite administrative leave effective immediately."
May you like
The words hung in the air like a physical blow. Jacob felt a surge of anger rise in his chest, but he forced himself to keep his breathing steady, applying the restraint he had learned through a lifetime of dealing with his mother's games.
"You're suspending me based on unverified allegations presented by a biased party?" Jacob asked, looking directly at Harris. "Have you even bothered to look at the police report or the medical documentation from Saint Jude’s?"
