Chapter 3 - The Ghost on the Steps
Arthur stood frozen behind his daughter. He was the CEO of Chicago’s largest private wealth management firm, a man used to analyzing every detail in a room.
As the warm golden light from the church doors illuminated Anna’s face, Arthur’s breath hitched in his throat. He recognized the shape of her eyes. He recognized the distinct, elegant bone structure hiding beneath the dirt and exhaustion.
"Anna..." Arthur whispered, his voice dropping into a tone of absolute, paralyzing shock. "Anna Sterling?"
Anna gasped, shrinking back against the cold stone. Panic flooded her eyes.
Arthur’s heart hammered against his ribs. Anna Sterling wasn't just a homeless woman. She was the sole heiress to the Sterling real estate empire—a woman who had been reported dead after a "tragic boating accident" exactly two weeks ago. Arthur’s firm managed her family’s multi-million-dollar trust.
"They said you drowned," Arthur said, quickly shrugging off his heavy, expensive tailored black coat.
He didn't hesitate. He dropped to his knees in the snow and wrapped his thick, incredibly warm coat tightly around Anna’s shivering shoulders, completely covering her thin beige dress.
Anna grabbed the lapels of his coat, her entire body trembling violently, not just from the cold, but from sheer terror.
May you like
"He's inside," Anna choked out, terrified tears streaming down her face as she pointed a shaking finger at the heavy wooden doors of the church. "Marcus. He's inside."
👉 What horrific act of cruelty did her brother commit to steal her fortune?
