Chapter 4 - NORTH STAR MANOR
The storm raged outside as Alexander’s armored convoy bypassed Elena’s apartment and drove straight to North Star Manor—his secluded, fortress-like estate perched on a rocky cliff overlooking the Hudson River.
Inside the master suite, a roaring fire warmed the room. Elena sat on a velvet sofa, cradling Liam while sipping warm tea. Victoria had returned to the city to finalize the initial legal filings.
The double doors clicked open, and Alexander rolled himself in. He had discarded his formal coat for a soft cashmere sweater, softening the harsh lines of his silhouette.
“What is his name?” he asked, bringing his chair to a halt beside the mahogany crib.
“Liam,” Elena murmured. “Liam Vance.”
“Not Sterling?”
“I won't burden him with a corrupted name.”
Alexander stared at the sleeping child. His rough, calloused fingers gently reached out, brushing against Liam’s tiny hand. Surprisingly, the baby opened his eyes, let out a soft sigh, and curled his tiny fingers tightly around Alexander’s pinky. A rare, genuine softness flickered across the man's frozen demeanor.
“Julian is unraveling,” Alexander said softly, breaking the silence. “He just went on live television claiming you’re suffering from severe post-divorce psychosis, and that the child is the product of an extramarital affair.”
Elena let out a bitter laugh. “His classic play. Brand me as unhinged to render my words worthless.”
“He overlooked one critical factor,” Alexander pulled a black wax-sealed envelope from his pocket. “You are no longer fighting alone. And Chloe Mercer… is not as loyal to him as he believes.”
Elena looked up. “What do you mean?”
“Chloe reached out to my team two hours ago,” Alexander’s lips curved into a cold, dangerous smile. “She offered to sell us Julian’s offshore Swiss ledgers—where he’s embezzled two hundred million dollars from the corporate reserves—in exchange for an extraction out of the country.”
Elena was stunned. Chloe, who had stood beside Julian at the altar just hours ago, was ready to plunge a dagger into his back on their wedding night?
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“Why would she turn on him so fast?”
“Because Chloe discovered that Julian never intended to legally marry her,” Alexander leaned forward, his voice dropping to a whisper. “The marriage certificate Julian signed yesterday morning… was an absolute fake.”
