Chapter 5 - The Confrontation at Lake ForestThe Sterling family estate in Lake Forest was a sprawling mansion surrounded by iron gates, manicured gardens, and towering pine trees. High-society lights gleamed through the French doors of the main dining hall as I arrived.
My mother, Eleanor Sterling, sat at the head of a long mahogany dining table dressed in an elegant black velvet gown. Opposite her sat Julian Rossi—a suave, middle-aged man with sharp features and a tailored grey suit. They were raising crystal glasses of champagne in a quiet toast when the heavy oak front doors were violently kicked open.
Dominic and eight armed men flooded into the foyer, securing the exits in seconds.
I walked into the dining room, my dress shirt still stained with Clara’s blood, my dark eyes fixed on my mother.
Eleanor set her champagne glass down with a delicate click, though a flicker of panic darted across her eyes before she forced a calm smile.
“Ethan,” Eleanor said smoothly. “You’re home early. What is the meaning of this dramatic entrance? And why are you covered in... blood?”
Julian Rossi stood up slowly, reaching toward his arm holster, but Dominic immediately pressed the cold barrel of a suppressed pistol against the back of Rossi’s neck.
“Sit down, Rossi,” Dominic growled.
Rossi slowly raised his hands and sat back down, sweating profusely.
I walked up to the head of the table, leaning over my mother until I was inches from her face.
“The lilies you sent to Clara tonight,” I said, my voice echoing like thunder in the large room. “Where did Victoria purchase the synthetic oxytocin compound?”
Eleanor’s smile vanished completely. All color drained from her aged face. “Ethan... I don't know what you’re talking about. You’re confused—”
I slammed my fist onto the mahogany table, shattering her crystal champagne glass into powder.
“Do not lie to me!” I roared. “My daughter is in an incubator at Northwestern Memorial fighting for her life! My wife almost bled to death on our bedroom floor! And you... you gave Rossi the key card to my home!”
Rossi looked at my mother in terror. “Eleanor! You said he wouldn't find out until the deal was finalized!”
Eleanor glared at Rossi with pure contempt before turning back to me, her posture instantly shifting into cold, unrepentant malice.
“She was a nobody, Ethan!” Eleanor spat, her voice shrill and filled with aristocratic hatred. “A schoolteacher’s daughter with no lineage! She was weakening you! You were soft, buying her flowers, talking about leaving the business! She was going to give you a bastard heir that would ruin this family’s legacy!”
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I stared at the woman who had raised me, feeling a profound, sickening horror.
“She wasn't ruining my legacy, Mother,” I said softly, tears of rage burning my eyes. “She was saving my humanity. And you tried to murder my child.”
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