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CHAPTER 2 — “The Truth Beneath the Sterling Name”

Victoria stepped away from the marble table, gripping the document like it might burn her.

Liam followed her with his eyes. “Mother
 what does it say?”

She didn’t answer immediately.

Instead, her gaze locked on Avery—sharp, searching, unsettled.

Avery didn’t look away.

That was what made it worse.

Finally, Victoria spoke, voice controlled but thinner than before.

“This document
 revisits an agreement made before Leo’s birth.”

A murmur barely began to rise in the crowd—but died instantly under Victoria’s presence.

She continued.

“An agreement I believed secured the future of this family.”

Liam frowned. “What agreement?”

Victoria hesitated.

For the first time in years, she did not have immediate control of the room.

Avery stepped forward slightly, calm but firm.

“The agreement that tried to decide Leo’s future without me.”

Silence hit harder than any shout.

Victoria’s grip loosened just slightly.

Because Avery wasn’t accusing.

May you like

She was confirming.

And that made it undeniable.

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