Chapter 9
Duncan lost every Sterling role.
Immediate.
Permanent.
No operations.
No estate access.
No family representation.
He called it excessive.
Of course.
“You pushed my son.”
“It wasn’t meant to break his leg.”
I stared.
Again with intent.
“You stole family records.”
“To reveal truth.”
“You edited them.”
Silence.
“You brought a hidden relative onto my estate to create a succession challenge he didn’t even want.”
His jaw tightened.
“I thought he would once he understood.”
There.
Control.
He wanted Nathan to become the person required by Duncan’s plan.
When Nathan refused, Duncan called him weak.
That ended any remaining doubt.
Nathan laughed.
“I built houses for twenty years. I’m fine without your chair.”
Duncan looked at me.
“You’re letting him walk away with Sterling blood?”
I almost smiled.
“He’s allowed.”
That idea offended Duncan more than punishment.
People obsessed with dynasty cannot understand someone declining the game.
Claudia separated from him within months.
Not because I ordered it.
Because she discovered how much he had hidden.
He used her childhood trauma around West House to make his plan feel righteous.
He told her finding Nathan would heal what her father broke.
Maybe partly.
Then used Nathan as political material.
She could not forgive that.
Their marriage ended quietly.
No war.
May you like
No spectacle.
Just consequence.
