Chapter 9 - The Press Conference
By sunrise, three separate stories dominated Chicago news.
Lucas Sterling had assaulted his wife.
Sterling Tower had suffered a suspicious executive-floor fire.
And investigators were examining documents connected to the company’s founding.
Sterling Global shares fell before the market even opened.
Richard called an emergency press conference.
Willow watched from Helena’s apartment.
Richard stood behind a blue podium surrounded by lawyers.
“My family has been targeted by a coordinated campaign of extortion.”
Willow almost admired the speed of the lie.
Richard continued.
“Certain individuals are exploiting a painful domestic disagreement to attack a respected American company.”
Michael shook his head.
“Domestic disagreement.”
Willow stared at the screen.
“He thinks he can rename anything.”
Violence became disagreement.
Fraud became acquisition.
Murder became accident.
Theft became legacy.
Then Richard made his mistake.
“Michael Donovan has harassed my family for nearly three decades.”
Willow sat forward.
Richard had publicly admitted knowing Michael.
Reporters noticed too.
Questions erupted.
Richard ended the conference early.
Amanda called within minutes.
“He opened the door.”
Willow understood.
“If he claims Dad has harassed him for thirty years, discovery can demand records explaining why.”
“Exactly.”
At 11:20 a.m., another blow landed.
Two Sterling Global board members resigned.
At noon, a federal financial regulator announced a preliminary review of historical ownership filings.
At 12:17, Willow received a text from Lucas.
I need to talk.
She ignored it.
A second message appeared.
I found something about your mother.
Willow stared at the screen.
Michael saw her expression.
“What?”
She showed him.
“Could be bait.”
“I know.”
“Then don’t go.”
Willow looked at her father.
“For twenty-eight years, everyone made decisions because they thought they were protecting me.”
Michael absorbed the words.
Willow softened slightly.
“I love you.”
“But I need to decide what risks belong to me now.”
An hour later, she met Lucas in a public café surrounded by cameras and strangers.
He looked exhausted.
His perfect Sterling appearance had disappeared.
He placed an envelope on the table.
“I found this in my mother’s safe.”
Inside was an old photograph.
Evelyn Donovan was standing beside Marion Sterling.
Both women were pregnant.
On the back, Evelyn had written:
If anything happens, Marion knows where Samuel kept the second ledger.
Willow looked up.
“Your mother said she gave us everything.”
Lucas shook his head.
“She lied.”
“Why?”
Lucas leaned closer.
“Because she’s afraid of what’s inside that ledger.”
Willow’s phone rang.
Marion Sterling.
Willow answered.
Marion was crying.
“Do not trust Lucas.”
Willow looked across the table at her husband.
May you like
Marion whispered.
“He knows far more than he admitted.”
