PART 3: THE FALL OF ADRIAN VALE
“Sterling?” Adrian whispered, his eyes wide, bloodshot, and frantic as he looked down at me. “Sterling Global… Arthur Sterling?”
“My father,” I said softly, using the edge of the velvet couch to pull myself slowly to my feet, ignoring the searing pain in my back. “The man who allowed you to borrow his wealth so I could see if you truly loved me.”
Vanessa backed away from Adrian as if he were suddenly contagious, her hands trembling as she realized the golden goose she had targeted was actually a puppet built on borrowed money.
“No… no, Elena, listen to me,” Adrian stammered, taking a desperate step toward me, his hands raised in surrender. “There’s been a mistake. I was stressed! Vanessa manipulated me!”
“You put a whip to my flesh, Adrian,” I replied, my voice as cold as absolute zero. “You thought I was weak because I chose to be gentle.”
Heavy footsteps thundered outside the grand front doors. Within seconds, a team of private security guards dressed in immaculate dark suits burst into the foyer, led by my father’s personal attorney.
Behind them stood three uniformed police officers holding a warrant for domestic battery and aggravated assault.
Vanessa attempted to slip out toward the side entrance, but two guards immediately stepped into her path, blocking her escape route completely.
“Mr. Vale,” the lead officer declared, pulling out a pair of steel handcuffs. “You are under arrest.”
(The final consequences will leave no mercy for those who caused harm! Click “Next Page” to continue reading…)
