Chapter 6 - Sterling's Secret
Everett took Sterling to the underground office beneath the estate.
No guards were allowed inside except Mason.
Sterling sat across from Everett.
For several minutes, nobody spoke.
Finally Everett said:
“Who is controlling you?”
Sterling looked exhausted.
“My sister.”
Everett froze.
He had no sister.
Not one he knew.
Sterling corrected himself.
“Your mother's daughter.”
Everett stared at him.
“My mother had no other children.”
“She did.”
Sterling explained that Everett's mother had given birth to a daughter before Everett was born.
The baby was believed to have died.
But she had survived.
Her name was Clara Kane.
She had been raised away from the family.
When Everett's father died, Clara returned secretly.
She believed Everett had stolen the life that should have belonged to her.
Sterling had found her two years earlier.
She offered him money.
Then threats.
She knew about his debts.
She knew about his private mistakes.
She controlled him.
Everett refused to believe it.
“Where is she?”
Sterling shook his head.
“I've never met her in person.”
“Then how do you receive orders?”
“Letters.”
Willa noticed Sterling's hands trembling.
“He's telling the truth.”
Everett looked at her.
“How do you know?”
“Because he's afraid.”
Everett leaned back.
Sterling continued.
“Clara wanted you weak. She wanted your company. But when the poisoning failed to kill you, she changed the plan.”
“The wedding.”
“Yes.”
Sterling lowered his head.
“She wanted you legally tied to someone she believed nobody would defend.”
Willa's face tightened.
“So I was disposable.”
Sterling looked at her.
“I was told you were.”
Everett's expression darkened.
“Who told you?”
Sterling swallowed.
“Your mother's former lawyer.”
That name changed everything.
Everett's mother had trusted only three people.
Her lawyer.
Her doctor.
And her personal secretary.
May you like
One of them had been helping Clara for years.
And Everett suddenly realized the conspiracy had started long before his coma.
