Chapter 3 - THE BLIZZARD PACT
Elena instantly pulled the baby closer to her chest, her stance guarded.
Alexander Sterling was known in the business press as the 'Crippled Devil.' Five years ago, a mysterious car crash had taken his parents and stolen the use of his legs, stripping him of his place in the family hierarchy. He lived in the shadows—brilliant, ruthless, and entirely unpredictable.
“How did you get in here?” Victoria stepped forward, positioning herself defensively.
Alexander raised a single gloved finger. His bodyguard immediately stepped back into the hallway and pulled the heavy door shut.
“I own thirty percent of this medical center, Ms. Vance,” Alexander said smoothly, adjusting his cufflinks. “And more importantly… I am the only person capable of keeping that child alive through the night.”
Elena’s eyes narrowed. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“Julian is not a man who accepts defeat gracefully,” Alexander explained softly. “The wedding at St. Patrick’s was just canceled. Chloe is frantically trying to gag the press. But Julian knows that if this child reaches midnight without a challenge, the board will freeze his executive access.”
Alexander rolled his wheelchair closer to the edge of the bed. He pulled a slim tablet from his coat and laid it on the blanket. On the screen was a live security feed from the hospital’s underground garage: three unmarked black SUVs had just pulled in, and several burly men in dark suits were stepping out.
“Julian’s crisis management team,” Alexander stated. “They aren't here with congratulatory flowers. They’re here to force a compromised DNA swab, or… stage a unfortunate medical complication for an unregistered newborn.”
A chill ran down Elena’s spine. She knew Julian was cold, but the sheer desperation of his greed was terrifying.
“What do you want, Alexander?” she asked directly.
“I want to destroy him,” Alexander replied without a hint of hesitation. “I have security protocols and legal immunity. You have the child—the key to fifty-one percent of the empire. Partner with me. I will register as the child’s co-legal guardian, and my team will escort you safely out of this building.”
“And in exchange?”
May you like
“In exchange, I act as temporary managing trustee until the boy reaches adulthood. You receive a guaranteed twenty percent dividend yield, and my absolute protection.”
Elena looked down at tiny Liam, then into Alexander’s storm-gray eyes. A startling realization hit her: Alexander hadn't arrived by chance. He had been monitoring her for months. He had known about her pregnancy long before she had even realized it herself.
