Chapter 10
The grand ballroom of the Plaza Hotel descended into a state of paralyzed terror. The bright, cinematic lighting illuminated the sweat pouring down Victoria's powdered face. She stood backed against the buffet table, her ruined emerald gown a symbol of her completely shattered aristocracy. She looked wildly at the wealthy white American guests, hoping for an ally, but she found only disgust and fear.
Alexander stopped just a few feet away from her. The imposing, deeply masculine power he projected suffocated the space around them.
"You did it for the family," Alexander repeated, his voice a cold, dead void. He slowly reached into the inner pocket of his tailored suit jacket.
Several guests gasped, anticipating the draw of a weapon, but Alexander pulled out his sleek, expensive smartphone. He tapped the screen once, raising it to his ear.
"Marcus," Alexander said into the phone, addressing his personal head of security. His American accent was crisp, authoritative, and entirely devoid of mercy. "Lock down the ballroom. Seal all the exits. Do not let anyone out. Bring the primary security team inside immediately."
"Alexander, what are you doing?" Victoria stammered, true panic setting in as the heavy main doors of the ballroom slammed shut with a resounding thud. Men in dark suits moved swiftly to block every exit.
"You have always cared about our public reputation, Mother," Alexander said softly, slipping the phone back into his pocket. "You cared about what these senators, these board members, and these high-society guests thought of the Sterling name."
He gestured broadly to the hundreds of people trapped in the room with them.
"So, they are going to stay," Alexander declared, his eyes locking onto hers with a bone-chilling intensity. "They are going to stay right here, and they are going to serve as witnesses."
"Witnesses to what?!" Victoria shrieked, her hands trembling violently.
"To your absolute destruction," Alexander promised, his voice a low, lethal hum that vibrated through the floorboards. "I am going to strip you of every dollar, every property, and every ounce of power you possess. You are going to confess to the police exactly what you did to my wife. And if you attempt to lie or buy your way out..."
He leaned in closer, his handsome face mere inches from her terrified, cake-smeared features.
May you like
"I will personally ensure that the rest of your miserable life is spent in a dark, cold room," Alexander whispered, his eyes burning with vengeful triumph. "Just like the one you locked my daughter in."
He turned his back on her, walking swiftly to where Sophia stood waiting on the plush carpet. He scooped the dirty, barefoot four-year-old up into his arms, holding her tightly against his chest, shielding her from the chaos he was about to unleash. The police were already on their way, the sirens wailing in the distance, promising a brutal, relentless reckoning for the Sterling empire.
