Chapter 19 - The Winter ThroneEleven Months Later
The pristine, powdery snow of Aspen crunched beneath my leather boots.
It was December again. The air was sharp, smelling of pine and woodsmoke. As I walked up the grand stone steps of the Sterling Alpine Lodge, I didn't arrive in worn snow boots under a fake name. I arrived in a tailored camel coat, flanked by my executive assistant and the newly appointed Regional Director.
The grand lobby was bustling with the elite winter crowd. The massive stone fireplace roared with warmth, casting a golden glow over the soaring timber ceilings.
Marcus Tate, now promoted to General Manager of the lodge, stood by the reception desk. When he saw me, his face broke into a massive, genuine smile.
"Ms. Sterling," Marcus greeted me, shaking my hand warmly. "Welcome back to Aspen. The lodge is fully booked through March."
"It looks beautiful, Marcus," I said, looking around. The shadow of Thomas and Julian had been completely scrubbed from the property.
Julian Vance was currently serving a ten-year sentence in a minimum-security federal prison, having struck a plea deal to testify against Thomas. My uncle hadn't been so lucky. Thomas was handed twenty-five years in a maximum-security facility, his empire of lies reduced to a six-by-eight concrete cell. Victoria, stripped of her stolen wealth, had vanished into obscurity, her socialite status permanently revoked.
More importantly, my grandfather was resting comfortably at his private estate in the Hamptons, his mind clear, his heart stable, enjoying his retirement knowing the legacy was safe.
"I have the Presidential Suite prepared for you," Marcus said, handing me the sleek black keycard. "And... you have a guest waiting in the VIP lounge. He arrived about an hour ago."
I felt a sudden, familiar flutter in my chest. "Thank you, Marcus."
I walked across the lobby, ignoring the curious and respectful glances of the wealthy guests who now knew exactly who Elena Sterling was.
May you like
I approached the frosted glass doors of the VIP lounge. The last time I stood near here, I had been covered in red wine, humiliated and betrayed. Today, I owned the ground I walked on.
I pushed the doors open.
