“My last name isn’t Bennett.”
Silence.
“My last name is Sterling.”
Chloe’s phone slipped from her hand and shattered against the marble floor.
The woman beside Dominic took one step away from him.
“What is she talking about?”
I looked at Dominic.
“You told everyone you built this company yourself.”
“You let them believe your success came from your brilliance.”
“You never once wondered why banks approved loans your balance sheets couldn’t justify.”
His face went pale.
“No…”
I nodded.
“My brothers did.”
“The investors trusted one thing.”
“You.”
“They trusted the Sterling family standing quietly behind you.”
I glanced at Sophia, who was still holding my hand.
“Not anymore.”
At that exact moment, the ballroom doors burst open.
The chairman of the board hurried into the lobby, surrounded by directors and attorneys.
His face was gray.
He looked directly at Dominic.
“Where have you been?”
Dominic swallowed.
“What happened?”
The chairman didn’t answer immediately.
Instead, he looked at me.
Then his expression changed completely.
He walked straight past Dominic.
Stopped in front of me.
And, in full view of everyone in the lobby, extended his hand.
“Mrs. Sterling…”
He lowered his voice.
“…Mr. Victor Sterling has asked that we escort you and your daughter upstairs immediately.”
Then he looked back at Dominic.
“As for Mr. Dominic Hayes…”
The chairman’s voice became ice cold.
“Your executive access has just been terminated.”
