Chapter 10 - The Interrogation Room
The interrogation room at the federal field office was stark, windowless, and illuminated by a harsh, buzzing overhead fluorescent light. Julian sat at the scratched metal table, his sleeves still rolled up, staring at the cold stainless-steel surface. Across from him sat Agent Vance, the lead federal investigator, flipping slowly through a thick file of yellowed documents and financial spreadsheets.
“Mr. Sterling, let’s not waste each other’s time,” Agent Vance said, leaning forward and resting his forearms on the table. “We have signed confessions from Marcus Vance detailing how corporate funds were diverted into hidden accounts under Caroline’s maiden name.”
Julian looked up, his expression unreadable. “Marcus confessed?”
“Within ten minutes of questioning,” Agent Vance replied dryly. “He also stated that your wife, Eleanor, was the primary architect of the cover-up, including the staging of the greenhouse fire to destroy physical evidence.”
Julian let out a slow, heavy breath. “And Eleanor? What has she said?”
“Not a single word. She’s demanding her legal team and refusing to cooperate,” the agent said, sliding a single photograph across the table.
It was an old Polaroid taken in the Sterling estate’s greenhouse back in nineteen-ninety-five. It showed Caroline smiling softly, holding a small potted orchid in one hand, while Julian stood beside her with his arm around her waist, looking genuinely happy in a way he had never been with Eleanor.
“Marcus claims you had no knowledge of the offshore accounts,” Agent Vance continued, watching Julian closely for any sign of deception. “He claims you were completely blinded by your corporate ambitions.”
“Marcus is lying about my ignorance,” Julian said quietly, surprising the investigator. “I may not have known about the accounts, but I was blind because I chose to be. I trusted the wrong people.”
Agent Vance tapped his pen against the metal table. “That noble admission won't keep you out of federal prison, Mr. Sterling. The conspiracy charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years.”
“I’m not asking for leniency,” Julian replied steadily. “I want to know where Lily is right now.”
“The child is currently in protective custody under the care of state social services,” the agent said. “She’s safe. But she asked specifically for you.”
Julian closed his eyes for a brief moment, feeling the crushing weight of decades of regret. When he opened them, his gaze was clear and resolute. “I have one request before you take me to holding.”
Agent Vance raised an eyebrow. “Name it.”
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“I want to sign over my remaining voting shares in Sterling-Vance Enterprises to Lily, making her the primary controlling stakeholder of the entire corporation.”
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