Chapter 3

The next morning felt like the aftermath of a battle I hadn' t quite lost, but certainly hadn' t won yet.

Richard, Ethan, Chloe, and now Chloe' s mother, Brenda Evans, were assembled in the main sitting room. Brenda, a woman with hard eyes and an overly bright smile, was perched on the edge of an expensive sofa as if she owned it. So, Richard' s mistress was now openly installed in my mother' s house. The audacity was breathtaking.

"Ava, darling," Richard began, his tone falsely paternal. "We need to discuss your behavior."

Chloe, nestled beside Ethan, dabbed at her eyes. Brenda looked at me with a practiced expression of maternal concern.

"First, a public apology video to Chloe," Richard declared. "Sincere. Contrite. It needs to go viral, show everyone you understand the gravity of what you did."

"And," Ethan chimed in, puffed up with importance, "you need to fund Chloe' s dream project. A foundation for underprivileged artists. It' s the least you can do to make amends."

Chloe beamed at him. "Oh, Ethan, you' re too good."

Brenda nodded approvingly. "Such a generous heart, my Chloe. And you, Ethan."

I just looked at them. The four of them, a united front of greed and delusion.

My phone, a new one Mr. Davies had arranged, buzzed in my pocket. I ignored it.

"No," I said.

Richard' s smile faltered. "No?"

"I will not be making an apology video. And I will not be funding any projects."

Just then, the grand antique telephone on the console table rang, its shrill sound cutting through the tension. Richard flinched.

He picked it up. "Hello? Sterling residence."

His face went pale. Then paler.

"Victoria?" he stammered. "But... you' re... I thought..."

He listened, his eyes darting towards me, then away.

"Yes, Victoria. Of course, Victoria. I understand, Victoria."

He hung up, his hand trembling slightly. The confidence had drained out of him, leaving behind a sheen of sweat on his forehead.

"What did she say?" Ethan asked, a note of unease in his voice.

Richard didn' t answer him. He was staring at me.

I took a calm breath. "Richard," I said, my voice even. "You might want to consult your lawyer about your prenuptial agreement. Specifically, the clauses regarding fidelity and misuse of family assets. Your access to Sterling funds is about to be significantly curtailed."

Brenda' s smile vanished. Chloe looked confused.

"And as for our current houseguests," I continued, turning to Brenda and Chloe. "Security will escort you from the premises. Now."

"You can' t do this!" Brenda shrieked, jumping to her feet. "Richard?"

Richard looked like he was going to be sick.

"Security," I called out, not raising my voice. Two discreet but very large men, part of my mother' s personal detail that Mr. Davies had quietly reinforced, stepped into the room.

Brenda and Chloe started protesting loudly, but the security men were efficient.