Chapter Two: Behind Closed Doors

An hour later, the ballroom buzzed with rumors.

Meanwhile, behind the closed doors of Julian Sterling's private penthouse office, the atmosphere was far colder than the winter skyline outside.

No cameras.

No reporters.

Just three people.

Julian stood beside the windows overlooking Central Park.

Noah remained near the door.

Eleanor refused to sit in the leather chair offered to her.

She felt safer standing.

Julian poured himself a glass of whiskey.

He didn't offer anyone else one.

"You've put yourself in a difficult position," he finally said.

Noah folded his arms.

"I introduced my mother."

"You introduced uncertainty."

Julian turned.

"The board invested in a very specific image."

Noah frowned.

"What image?"

"The brilliant young founder who overcame impossible odds."

"I did."

"Yes."

Julian nodded calmly.

"But stories matter."

He stepped closer.

"Investors don't like complications."

He looked toward Eleanor.

"They'll ask where she's been."

"They'll ask why she works as a hotel housekeeper."

"They'll ask why your family disappeared."

He sighed.

"They'll question your judgment."

Eleanor suddenly spoke.

"He's right."

Noah turned.

She wouldn't look at him.

"I've already taken enough from you."

"You never took anything."

"I took your childhood."

"You saved it."

"No."

Her voice cracked.

"I lost our apartment."

"I couldn't pay your father's hospital bills."

"I broke."

She swallowed hard.

"When social services placed you with another family..."

"...I thought maybe they'd give you the future I never could."

Noah felt something inside him shatter.

All these years...

He had believed she'd abandoned him.

She had believed she'd rescued him.

Julian quietly slid a folder across the desk.

"I can make sure Eleanor never has to work another day."

Noah stared at it.

"A trust."

"A home."

"Healthcare."

"Everything she'll ever need."

Eleanor looked stunned.

Then Julian finished the sentence.

"In exchange..."

Noah already knew.

"...we keep this private."

The office became perfectly still.

May you like

"She dove across the table to smash his water glass. The wife whipped a...

"She dove across the table to smash his water glass. The wife whipped a heavy napkin across her face, but the waitress held the ul...

I came home to find her shaking before two officers, quietly collected t...

"""My mother called 911 because my 5-year-old wouldn’t give up her birthday doll — and told her, “Your mom will be ashamed of you....

""I'm Having Your Baby!"" His Fiancée Screamed She Was Carrying His Heir...

""I'm Having Your Baby!"" His Fiancée Screamed She Was Carrying His Heir, but the Maid’s Toddler Pointed at a Closet and Exposed t...

Julian met Noah's eyes.

"Choose wisely."