Chapter 6 - THE SON WHO WANTED THE EMPIRE
Richard Sterling had spent his life standing behind his older brother.
Daniel was charming.
Brilliant.
Loved by employees.
Respected by clients.
And adored by Arthur.
Richard was different.
Quiet.
Ambitious.
Obsessed with numbers.
He believed the bank should be run like a machine.
No sentiment.
No hesitation.
No mercy.
When Daniel became heir apparent, Richard smiled publicly.
Privately, he began building alliances.
He cultivated executives who resented Daniel's cautious investment strategy.
He established shell companies.
Moved assets.
And used the museum's acquisition budget to disguise unauthorized transfers.
For years, nobody noticed.
Until Daniel did.
Arthur confronted Richard over the phone.
“Where is Leo?”
Richard sighed.
“Father, you're upset.”
“Answer me.”
“I don't know where he is.”
Arthur's jaw tightened.
“Then why did you call?”
A pause.
“Because you need to stop listening to that archivist.”
Clara looked up.
Arthur's voice hardened.
“Why?”
“She has an agenda.”
Arthur stared.
“Explain.”
Richard laughed softly.
“Her family lost a gallery. She's desperate. She's using the boy to get close to you.”
Arthur looked at Clara.
She stood perfectly still.
He knew Richard was trying to manipulate him.
And he hated how familiar the tactic sounded.
“Bring Leo home,” Arthur said.
Richard's voice changed.
“Father—”
“Now.”
The line went dead.
Clara looked at Arthur.
“He knows.”
Arthur nodded.
“Yes.”
She swallowed.
“And if he has Leo—”
Arthur's face hardened.
“Then I'll bring him back.”
Marcus traced the van to an industrial property in Queens.
It belonged to a company connected to Richard.
Police were notified.
A search warrant was obtained.
And by midnight, officers entered the building.
They found the van.
The music box.
A child's coat.
But no Leo.
Inside the wooden case was another note.
This one was written in block letters.
THE BOY REMEMBERS TOO MUCH.
Arthur stared at it.
His hands shook.
Clara stood beside him.
Then she noticed something inside the case.
A small brass key.
She picked it up.
Examined the engraving.
And went still.
“Arthur.”
He looked at her.
She held up the key.
“This belongs to the museum's old clock tower.”
Arthur frowned.
“The clock tower has been closed for decades.”
May you like
Clara swallowed.
“Then why would someone leave us the key?”
