Chapter 3: Blood and Honor
The social climate in the St. Regis ballroom shifted entirely in a matter of seconds. The very people who had watched Clara with contempt moments ago were now bowing their heads in silent shame. Arthur Sterling’s name carried enough power to buy and sell every corporate entity represented in that room three times over.
"Six years ago," Arthur began, his voice steady as he addressed the room, "my daughter Clara walked away from our family's fortune. She chose to work in community health centers, funding orphanages and rural clinics with her own earned income. She didn't want the burden or the vanity of wealth."
Arthur looked at Julian with cold disappointment. "When Julian approached my company seeking a merger for his family’s enterprise, I wanted to see if he was a man of integrity. Clara volunteered to attend this wedding under a simple profile—a modest friend of the family—to see if Julian and the Vance family possessed the character required to partner with us."
Julian’s knees felt weak. "Mr. Sterling... Clara... I didn't know! I was misled by Evelyn! I was just trying to protect the peace of the event!"
"Protecting the peace does not mean sacrificing an innocent person to satisfy a lie," Clara replied, stepping forward. "You didn't hesitate to condemn me, Julian. You didn't even ask for my side of the story. You told me to 'just let them search me' as if my dignity was worthless compared to your family's reputation."
Evelyn's mother rushed forward, trying to repair the damage. "Mr. Sterling, please! This is a misunderstanding! Evelyn was stressed! It’s her wedding day!"
"Framing a pregnant woman for grand larceny is not a mistake, Mrs. Vance," Arthur replied sharply. "It is a crime. And it reveals a rot at the very core of your family."
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Arthur gestured to his legal counsel, who stepped forward holding a thick leather folder.
"Effective immediately," Arthur announced, "all credit lines, joint venture negotiations, and property leases between Sterling Global and the Vance Group are terminated. Security, please escort Miss Vance and her family off the premises."
