Chapter 10
Victor’s identity was not revealed.
No financial documents were shown.
No account balances appeared.
No company takeover was announced.
No arrests took place.
No final outcome unfolded inside the lobby.
The confrontation remained suspended beneath the crystal chandeliers of Dominic’s Manhattan headquarters, with the cold blue city skyline glowing beyond the glass and warm gold light shining over flowers, champagne, black marble, and faces that no longer knew where to look.
Vivienne Sterling stood beside the reception desk in her cream wool coat and pale satin dress, one hand holding the silver smartphone, the other wrapped firmly around Sophia.
Her heartbreak was still there.
But it no longer controlled her face.
Sophia pressed against her side, pink butterfly clips trembling slightly, handmade necklace clutched in both hands.
The gift had not been given.
Maybe it never would be.
Dominic stood at the foot of the gold staircase in his black tuxedo, composure breaking under every silent vibration in the room.
Vanessa remained a few steps behind him with the young boy, no longer possessive, no longer certain she understood the life she had entered.
Chloe stood near the black marble reception counter, red manicure curled against the edge, her earlier smile gone.
Behind her, the elevator doors were open.
Several sharply dressed figures moved forward, still too distant to identify, carrying no visible papers, making no announcements, offering no explanation.
That was what frightened Dominic most.
The unknown had entered his building with Vivienne’s permission.
He looked at her.
“Vivienne, what did you do?”
She lowered the phone.
Sophia looked up at her mother, still waiting for the world to make sense again.
Vivienne met Dominic’s eyes.
“I stopped pretending you were worth protecting.”
The lobby stayed silent.
No final blow landed.
No truth was fully explained.
But Dominic understood one thing before anyone spoke another word.
May you like
Vivienne had not come to beg for her place at his gala.
She had come to show their daughter who he became when he thought they were not invited.
