Chapter 132
Adam's POV:
The phone buzzed against the nightstand. I grabbed it before the second ring.
I glanced at the screen. It was James. I checked the time. Ten o'clock.
"Yes?" I answered, keeping my voice low.
"Mr. Sterling," James said efficiently. "Apologies. You have urgent documents for the Austin expansion waiting for your signature. Also, a reminder: you and the Chairman have a lunch meeting with Arthur Hayes at twelve."
I looked down. Maya was still asleep. She shifted slightly, frowning at the faint noise.
I reached out and smoothed the duvet over her shoulder.
I hung up. Maya murmured something incoherent and rolled over. I brushed a strand of hair away from her face.
"Go back to sleep, sweetheart," I whispered. "Just sleep."
I slid out of bed carefully.
I walked down the hallway, knotting my tie. Amy was already awake. She sat at the small table, a tablet propped up in front of her. Her new tutor was speaking softly.
The tutor saw me and stood up. "Good morning, Mr. Sterling."
I nodded. I walked over to Amy.
I placed a hand on her head. "Focus on your class. Do not go into the master bedroom, okay? Let your mom sleep."
Amy blinked. "Is Mommy sick?"
"No," I said, keeping my face even. "She just didn't sleep well last night. I'll have someone bring your lunch up later."
Amy nodded solemnly. "Okay. I'll be quiet."
"Good girl."
I turned and left the apartment.
I walked into the company and saw her immediately. Catherine.
My expression went cold. I didn't slow down. I walked straight past her.
"Adam!" she called out.
I ignored her. I turned the corner and headed for my father’s office. I heard the click of her heels following me.
I pushed open the heavy double doors to the Chairman's office. Robert was behind his desk. He looked up, and his face hardened when he saw Catherine behind me.
"What are you doing here?" Robert asked.
Catherine breezed past me. "We need to talk. We never finished our conversation from last time."
I leaned against the doorframe. "There is nothing to talk about."
Catherine scoffed. "You are protecting them like they are royalty. We don't even know if that girl is a Sterling."
"Amy is my granddaughter," Robert said. His voice was calm but dangerous.
"You haven't even done a DNA test," Catherine shot back. "How do you know? She disappeared for five years. Now she comes back with a kid just as Adam takes full control? It’s a scam, Robert. A classic gold-digger trap."
Robert stood up. He didn't speak. He opened his desk drawer and pulled out a single sheet of paper.
He walked around the desk and slammed it onto the coffee table in front of Catherine.
"Read it," Robert said.
Catherine looked at the paper. She hesitated, then picked it up. Her eyes scanned the lines.
Probability of Paternity: 99.99%.
She froze.
"Amy is Adam's daughter," Robert said. "There is no doubt. There never was."
Catherine stared at the document. Her lips thinned. She tossed the paper back onto the table. "This report... are you sure it's real? Doctors can be bought."
Robert’s face turned a shade of red I rarely saw. "Catherine. Get out."
"I am just trying to protect this family!"
"You are here to cause trouble," Robert said. "If you say one more word about my granddaughter, I will have security throw you out."
Catherine’s expression softened into something manipulative. "Robert. We were married for twenty years. Can't you be a little softer with me?"
Robert looked at her with pure exhaustion. "Catherine, do I need to remind you why we got divorced?"
"I..."
"Enough," Robert cut her off. "I don't want to say things I can't take back. Just go."
Catherine glared at him one last time. She turned and stormed out of the office.
Robert checked his watch. "Let's go. Arthur Hayes is waiting."
The private room at Menton was quiet. Waiters moved silently in the background.
Arthur Hayes stood up as we entered. He was a man in his fifties, his hair greying at the temples. He smiled broadly and extended his hand.
"Robert! Good to see you."
"Arthur," Robert said, shaking his hand. "Sorry for the delay."
Arthur turned to me. "And Adam. You look more like your father every day."
I shook his hand briefly. "Mr. Hayes."
We sat down. The waiter poured wine. Arthur made small talk for ten minutes. He asked about the weather. He asked about the Celtics.
Finally, he pivoted.
"So, the Seaport project," Arthur said, leaning forward. "It’s a goldmine, Robert. We just need a little bridge capital. If Sterling Global comes in as a partner, the banks will unlock the rest of the loans."
I took a sip of water. I didn't look at my father. This was my decision.
"I reviewed the proposal, Arthur," I said.
Arthur looked at me, hopeful.
"I’m declining," I said.
Arthur’s smile faltered. " declining? But Adam, the projections..."
"The projections are optimistic at best," I said. "The zoning issues aren't resolved. The debt load is too high. I’m a businessman, Arthur. I invest to make a profit. This project is a liability."
Arthur looked at Robert. "Robert?"
"I’ve basically stepped back. Adam runs the company now," Robert said, cutting into his steak. "If he says no, it’s no."
"Well," Arthur said, forcing a laugh. "Business is strictly business, right? I understand."
He took a drink of wine. "Actually, there was something else I wanted to discuss. Personal matters."
I waited.
"My daughter, Tiffany," Arthur said. "She’s about Adam’s age. Beautiful girl. Very smart."
I stopped cutting my food.
"I was thinking," Arthur continued. "Our families go back a long way. If Adam and Tiffany... well, if they hit it off, a union would be beneficial for everyone. A strategic marriage builds strong alliances."
He was trying to sell his daughter to save his company.
I looked him in the eye. "I have a girlfriend."
Arthur froze. "Oh? I... I hadn't heard. When did that happen?"
"A long time ago," I said.
"He doesn't just have a girlfriend," Robert interrupted. He was smiling. "He has a daughter."
Arthur dropped his fork. It clattered against the plate. "Excuse me?"
"Adam has a four-year-old girl," Robert said proudly. "She’s the spitting image of him."
Robert reached into his pocket. He pulled out his phone and tapped the screen. He turned it around to face Arthur.
"That's her," Robert said. "Cute, isn't she?"
Arthur stared at the screen. His face fell. The "marriage alliance" card was useless now.
"I... I see," Arthur stammered. "Congratulations, Robert. Adam."
"Thank you." Robert took the phone back. He looked at the photo one more time before putting it away.
I wiped my mouth with the napkin and stood up. "If you’ll excuse me, Arthur. I have meetings."
Arthur looked panicked. "Wait. Adam. Please. About the project. Just reconsider. For old times' sake."
"I can't help you," I said. "Try the banks."