Chapter 23 - The Trojan Horse
Within forty-eight hours, Sebastian had entrenched himself in the Sterling Corporation.
Elena’s legal team, despite their brilliance, confirmed that the 1985 charter was indeed valid and impossible to break without years of litigation.
Sebastian didn't just take a seat at the table; he began poisoning the well.
He started planting seeds of doubt among the older shareholders, quietly suggesting that Elena's aggressive philanthropic spending was a risk to their dividends.
He was a master manipulator, far more sophisticated and patient than Julian or Victoria Vance had ever been.
Elena sat in her penthouse office, staring at a massive digital map of the company's global assets.
Thomas walked in, carrying two cups of espresso, his brow furrowed with concern.
"He just vetoed the acquisition of the clean-energy firm in Berlin," Thomas said, setting the cup down on her desk.
"He claims it's a financial liability."
"It's not about the liability," Elena sighed, rubbing her temples. "He is testing the fences, seeing how much control he can exert before I snap."
"He wants to push you into making an emotional mistake," Thomas observed, leaning against the glass desk.
"He thinks I am still the fragile wife Arthur tolerated," Elena said, a cold, dangerous fire lighting up in her eyes.
"He doesn't realize he just walked into a cage with a lioness."
The intercom buzzed, and Elena's assistant spoke frantically through the speaker.
"Ms. Sterling, Sebastian just called a press conference in the lobby."
"And he didn't come alone."
Elena and Thomas exchanged a sharp look before hurrying down to the ground floor.
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Standing next to Sebastian, wearing a tailored suit and looking completely sober for the first time in five years, was Julian.
The ghost had returned to New York.
