Chapter 10 - WHO USED THE FAMILY OFFICE
The family-office card had six authorized users.
Eleanor. Alexander. Dominic. Two accountants. And Caroline Voss, Eleanor’s personal secretary.
Caroline had worked for the Sterlings for twenty-two years.
She knew every staff schedule. Every private number. Every family weakness.
But her office at Sterling House contained something worse.
Printed screenshots of my niece’s social media.
EMMA NEEDS CLEAN EXIT. NO CONTACT AFTER MONDAY.
Alexander looked sick. “This was planned.”
There were files on every major caregiver Noah had ever had.
One moved overseas after being accused of stealing jewelry.
Another signed a nondisclosure agreement after Noah became attached to her.
Eleanor sat down. “I did not authorize this.”
Alexander stared. “You authorized enough.”
“I did not threaten her family.”
But people like Caroline did not build systems alone.
Dominic found bank transfers from Sterling Family Office to a reputation-management company.
HOUSEHOLD TRANSITION.
The company had prepared the edited ballroom clips.
Vanessa’s publicist had access through them.
Alexander asked Eleanor, “Did you hire them?”
“Yes.”
“For Emma?”
“For any employee who became publicly entangled in tonight’s event.”
“Before the event happened.”
Eleanor closed her eyes. “I prepare for risk.”
She looked at me. “You find that amusing?”
“No. Familiar.”
“What does that mean?”
“You keep calling people risk when what you mean is people you can’t control.”
She stood. “I will not be lectured in my own house by staff.”
“It’s my house.”
Then she picked up her purse. “Fine.”
Dominic blocked her. “Ma’am.”
Her face hardened. “What?”
“Your phone.”
“Excuse me?”
“Outside counsel requested preservation of devices connected to the threat investigation.”
May you like
For the first time that night, Eleanor Sterling looked powerless.
CAROLINE: PLAN FAILED. TAKE HIM TO ALDEN NOW.
