CHAPTER 10 — THE LEGACY OF LIES
CHAPTER 10 — THE LEGACY OF LIES
The name stayed in Alexander Sterling’s mind.
His grandfather.
For years, he had never questioned him.
Why would he?
His grandfather, Edward Sterling, had been a legend.
The man who started the Sterling empire.
The man whose portrait hung in the company headquarters.
The man everyone described as a visionary.
A genius.
A builder.
But now…
Alexander wondered if the greatest builders sometimes created the strongest prisons.
The rain continued falling as everyone stood in silence.
Then Alexander looked at Eleanor.
“Tell me everything.”
Eleanor lowered her eyes.
“I don’t know everything.”
“Then tell me what you know.”
She took a deep breath.
“Your grandfather was not the man people believed he was.”
Victoria immediately reacted.
“Eleanor.”
But Alexander stopped her.
“No.”
He looked at his mother.
“Not anymore.”
His voice was calm.
“But she’s going to talk.”
Victoria stared at him.
For a moment, she looked like she wanted to argue.
Then she stopped.
Because she knew.
The truth was already coming out.
Eleanor walked slowly toward the old house.
Everyone followed.
Inside, she placed the metal box on the table.
Then she removed another folder.
Different from the others.
Older.
The paper had yellowed.
“This belonged to Jonathan.”
Alexander opened it.
Inside were documents dated decades earlier.
Before his father became CEO.
Before Alexander was born.
The first page contained one name.
Edward Sterling.
His grandfather.
Alexander read.
“Project Legacy.”
He frowned.
“What is this?”
Eleanor answered:
“The plan that created the Sterling family empire.”
Alexander turned the page.
The documents described investments.
Company structures.
Inheritance strategies.
But something was strange.
A section was highlighted.
Family Loyalty Agreement.
“What is this?”
Eleanor looked uncomfortable.
“Your grandfather believed the Sterling family had to remain united at any cost.”
“That sounds normal.”
“No.”
She shook her head.
“Not the way he meant it.”
Alexander continued reading.
The agreement stated that family members who threatened the company’s stability could be removed from decision-making.
“Removed?”
Alexander looked up.
“What does that mean?”
Eleanor didn’t answer.
Victoria did.
“It means protected.”
Alexander looked at her.
“Protected?”
“Yes.”
Victoria crossed her arms.
“Your grandfather believed emotions destroyed powerful families.”
“So he created rules.”
“Rules?”
Alexander laughed bitterly.
“Rules to control people.”
Victoria remained silent.
And that silence confirmed everything.
Alexander looked back at the documents.
Then he saw another page.
A handwritten note.
His father’s handwriting.
"I finally understand what my father created."
"The company was never meant to be a family business."
"The family was meant to serve the company."
Alexander stopped.
Those words were horrifying.
Because suddenly he understood.
His grandfather didn’t build an empire around his family.
He built a family around his empire.
People were pieces.
Relationships were strategies.
Love was weakness.
And Victoria…
Victoria had inherited that belief.
“You became him.”
Alexander looked at his mother.
Victoria’s expression changed.
“What?”
“You became grandfather.”
She looked offended.
“No.”
“Yes.”
He held up the document.
“You believed control was love.”
“You believed protecting me meant controlling my choices.”
“You didn’t create this.”
His voice became quiet.
“You inherited it.”
For the first time…
Victoria looked hurt.
Not angry.
Hurt.
Because Alexander had finally touched the truth.
Later that night…
The Sterling mansion was surrounded by reporters.
News had already spread.
BILLIONAIRE ALEXANDER STERLING’S FAMILY SCANDAL DEEPENS
MISSING DAUGHTER FOUND SEARCHING FOR FOOD
STERLING FOUNDATION UNDER INVESTIGATION
The empire that had spent decades building a perfect image was now facing its biggest crisis.
Inside the mansion…
Alexander sat with Sophia.
She was drawing at the table.
A simple picture.
A house.
A garden.
A family.
Alexander watched her quietly.
“Who is this?”
He pointed at the drawing.
Sophia smiled.
“That’s Mommy.”
“And this?”
“Daddy.”
“And this?”
“Me.”
Alexander smiled.
For the first time in days.
“Why is Grandma not here?”
Sophia looked at the drawing.
Then hesitated.
“Should she be?”
That question hurt.
Because even Sophia understood something was broken.
Alexander gently touched her hand.
“You don’t have to draw anyone you don’t want to.”
Sophia nodded.
Then she asked:
“Daddy?”
“Yes?”
“Are we poor now?”
Alexander froze.
“What?”
“Because Grandma said rich people lose everything when secrets come out.”
His expression changed.
Even now…
Victoria’s words were still affecting his daughter.
Alexander knelt beside her.
“Listen to me.”
“Money is not what makes a family.”
Sophia looked confused.
“Then what does?”
He smiled sadly.
“Being there.”
She thought for a moment.
Then nodded.
Meanwhile…
In another room.
Victoria stood alone.
Looking at old photographs.
Her younger self.
Jonathan.
Alexander as a child.
A family before everything broke.
A tear slowly fell.
Because for the first time…
She wasn’t thinking about power.
She was thinking about what she lost.
A knock came.
She wiped her face quickly.
“Come in.”
Marcus entered.
His expression was serious.
“You failed.”
Victoria looked at him.
“Be careful.”
“The situation is worse than expected.”
“What happened?”
“Alexander found Eleanor.”
Victoria closed her eyes.
“I know.”
“He found Jonathan’s files.”
A pause.
“He knows about Edward’s plan.”
Victoria became still.
Then Marcus said:
“There is only one way to stop him.”
Victoria looked at him.
“No.”
Marcus frowned.
“You know what happens if the truth reaches the board.”
Victoria turned.
“I said no.”
For the first time, Marcus saw hesitation.
“You’re protecting him.”
Victoria whispered:
“He’s my son.”
Marcus looked surprised.
“After everything?”
Victoria looked at the family photograph.
“Yes.”
Silence.
Then Marcus spoke.
“Your son is going to destroy everything you built.”
Victoria looked toward the window.
“No.”
Her voice was quiet.
“He’s going to destroy what I became.”
Marcus stared.
Because those words sounded like regret.
Not ambition.
Then suddenly…
A message appeared on Victoria’s phone.
Unknown sender.
Only one sentence.
"You failed to control Alexander. Now we take control ourselves."
Victoria’s face changed.
Because she knew that message.
The person behind it.
The person who had been hidden for decades.
The person who even she feared.
Marcus noticed.
“Who sent that?”
Victoria slowly lowered the phone.
And for the first time in thirty years…
Victoria Sterling looked terrified.
“Someone who was supposed to be dead.”
Marcus froze.
“Who?”
Victoria whispered:
“Edward Sterling.”
Impossible.
Her father-in-law.
Alexander’s grandfather.
The founder of the empire.
The man who died decades ago.
But the message was real.
And if Edward Sterling was alive…
Then the entire history of the Sterling family was a lie.
Alexander thought he was fighting against the past.
He didn’t know…
The past was still alive.
May you like
And it was coming for him.
TO BE CONTINUED…
