Chapter 5 - The Forgotten SisterWhile Julian and Eleanor raged, Clara stood quietly in the shadows near the doorway.
For her entire life, Clara had lived under Julian's thumb—forced to work as an unpaid junior analyst in the family firm, treated like a servant in her own home, and constantly reminded that her only value was marrying into another wealthy dynasty.
She looked at Christian, studying the hardened lines of his face, searching for any resemblance to the father she barely remembered.
Later that night, as the house fell into an uneasy silence, Clara crept down the grand staircase.
She found Christian sitting alone on the back patio overlooking the manicured gardens, smoking a cigarette in the cool night air.
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"They're going to destroy you, you know," Clara said softly, stepping out onto the stone terrace. "Julian has the board of directors in his pocket. The police, the judges—everyone in this city is bought and paid for by Sterling Global."
Christian turned his head, his hard expression softening just a fraction as he looked at her. "Let them try. A caged dog always thinks the fence is unbreakable until someone opens the gate."
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