Chapter 114
Thomas' POV:
The elevator ride to the top floor of Sterling Global Holdings felt endless. My heart hammered against my ribs like a trapped bird.
Why did Adam Sterling summon me on a weekend?
James Cooper, his stone-faced executive assistant, wouldn't give me a hint over the phone. Maybe Adam wanted to offer me another project privately? It was possible. Rumors were flying around Boston that he was getting close to Maya.
If he married Maya, she would become the bridge between Garrison Industries and the Sterling empire. She was my golden ticket. I had to hold onto her tight.
The doors slid open. I walked into the massive office.
Adam sat in his leather chair. He looked cold. Detached.
I put on my best smile and walked forward. "Mr. Sterling! Good morning."
I extended my hand.
Adam didn't move. He just stared at me with those icy gray-green eyes.
My hand hung in the air for a painful second. My smile faltered. I awkwardly pulled my hand back and rubbed my palms together.
"Mr. Sterling," I said, my voice shaking slightly. "You asked to see me?"
Adam was playing with a silver Zippo lighter. Click. Clack. The sound echoed in the silent room. Suddenly, he tossed the lighter onto his mahogany desk.
Thud.
I flinched. My body jerked involuntarily.
"Thomas," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "You raised quite a daughter."
A cold sweat broke out on my forehead. "Mr. Sterling, I... did Victoria do something to offend you?"
Useless girl. She was nothing but a liability. Last time, she got arrested and dragged our name through the mud in the tabloids. I lost face in front of the entire city. Had she caused trouble again?
Adam raised an eyebrow. "You don't know?"
"I honestly don't. Grace and I have been separated for years. We live apart. Victoria lives with her mother."
Adam let out a cold laugh.
"I'll give you five minutes," he said.
I scrambled out of his office like a frightened rat. I pulled out my phone and dialed Victoria. Straight to voicemail. I cursed under my breath and called Grace.
When I hung up the phone three minutes later, my legs felt like jelly.
I walked back into Adam’s office. I collapsed to my knees right on the expensive Persian rug.
"Mr. Sterling, please," I begged. "I am so sorry. I failed as a father. It is my fault. I'm sorry..."
Adam watched me without a shred of pity.
"I had no idea that idiot girl would do something criminal," I stammered, sweat dripping into my eyes. "I will go home and beat her. I will teach her a lesson she will never forget."
Adam stood up. He walked around the desk and stopped in front of me. He looked down like I was a stain on his expensive rug.
"Beat her?" he repeated. "Thomas, your daughter committed a felony."
I wiped my face with my sleeve. "I will handle her. I promise. Please, Mr. Sterling. Have mercy on Garrison Industries. Spare us."
Adam shoved his hands into his pockets. His shadow fell over me.
"I... I will compensate Maya," I said quickly. "I’ll give her money. I’ll give her a house. Whatever she wants. I can make it right."
I wasn't kneeling because I loved Victoria. I just didn't want to be dragged down by her stupidity. And offering money to Maya wasn't out of kindness. It was a transaction. I needed to calm Adam down.
Adam walked back to his chair and sat down. He looked at me with bored contempt.
"Forget the house," he said. "Give her cash. She needs money. The more, the better."
I blinked. Cash. Okay. I could do cash.
"Ten million?"
Adam’s eyes narrowed. "You think my woman is only worth ten million?"
My throat went dry. "Thirty million?"
"Fifty million."
I gasped. The air left my lungs.
Fifty million dollars!
That was a huge chunk of our annual profit. It was bleeding us dry.
"Fifty million," Adam said, picking up the lighter again. "Consider it a discount. You're getting off cheap."
I bit my lip until I tasted blood. Tears of frustration pricked my eyes. But I nodded.
"Okay," I whispered. "Fifty million."
It was a ransom. If Adam targeted us, Garrison Industries would be bankrupt in a month.
"Good," Adam said. "There is one more thing."
"Yes?"
"Fire Maya."
I looked up, confused.
My first instinct was to refuse. Maya was valuable. But then I thought about the fifty million dollar check. That woman wasn't a golden ticket. She was a curse. A plague on my bank account. Keeping her was like keeping a ticking time bomb.
"Okay," I agreed. "I will have HR process it on Monday."
"The fifty million," Adam added. "Pay it to her as her severance package. Compensation for wrongful termination."
I nodded again. Who in the world gets a fifty million dollar severance package? It was insanity. But I didn't dare object.
"Get out," Adam said.
I struggled to my feet. My legs were numb. I grabbed the edge of his desk to steady myself.
"Mr. Sterling," I ventured. "About the Austin Tech Park project..."
Adam waved his hand impatiently. "Go. Spare me the details. Just get out."
I let out a shaky breath. He didn't cancel the contract. The project was safe. I turned and limped toward the door. My knees were sore.
"And don't tell Maya I told you to fire her," he said.
I nodded vigorously. "I understand. I won't say a word."
I stormed into Grace’s townhouse an hour later. I didn't even knock.
"Where is she?" I roared.
Grace was sitting in the living room, drinking tea. She jumped when I barged in.
"You useless woman!" I roared. "That daughter of yours is an imbecile! And you're no better! I told you specifically—do not touch Maya. She belongs to Adam Sterling!"
Grace stood up, looking offended. "Thomas! Lower your voice."
"Did you listen to me?" I shouted, my face hot with rage. "Did you tell Victoria? Does she have a death wish? She tried to drug Maya! And she tried to drag Julian into it!"
I paced around the room.
"Thank God she failed," I panted, loosening my tie. "If Julian had actually touched Maya, Garrison Industries would be dead. Julian would be dead. Are you trying to destroy this family?"
Grace laughed awkwardly. "I scolded Victoria. She knows she made a mistake. Luckily, nothing happened. Let’s just move on."
"Move on?" I stared at her. "You think this is a joke? Do you know what I just paid?"
Grace frowned. "Why should we give that woman so much money? Does she even dare to take it? She’s a poor nobody from the Midwest. Fifty million will crush her to death!"
"Shut up, Grace," I snapped. "I’m warning you. Watch Victoria. Keep her on a leash. Do not let her provoke Maya again."
"And stop looking down on her," I warned, my voice low. "Adam guards that secretary like the Crown Jewels. He’s obsessed. Mark my words, Grace—she might actually be the future Mrs. Sterling."