Chapter 8 - THE WOMAN WHO WORE THE DIAMOND
Victoria Sterling had never loved Christian Vance.
She loved what marrying him would give her.
Access.
Influence.
Control over a corporate empire worth billions.
Her father had arranged the engagement.
Christian had accepted it as part of a business alliance.
Neither had pretended it was romantic.
But Victoria wanted more.
She wanted the Vance companies transferred into a structure controlled by the Sterling family.
Christian had refused.
Then he began reviewing old financial records.
He asked questions.
He postponed the merger.
And Victoria realized he might uncover everything.
The assassination attempt at the Obsidian Club was supposed to solve two problems.
Remove Christian.
And eliminate Maya Cole.
But I had ruined the plan.
Now Victoria was hiding in a private residence outside Philadelphia.
She believed her father would protect her.
She was wrong.
Arthur Sterling had already begun cooperating with investigators to reduce his own exposure.
When Victoria called him, he refused to answer.
She smashed her phone.
Then turned toward the man standing near the window.
Nathan Knox.
Older than Gabriel.
Scarred along one cheek.
Alive.
He watched her silently.
"You said Christian would drink," Victoria snapped.
Nathan shrugged.
"He didn't."
"You said the waitress wouldn't interfere."
Nathan looked at her.
"She recognized the setup."
Victoria paced.
"Then find her."
Nathan's expression darkened.
"That's not what I was hired to do."
She stopped.
"Excuse me?"
He looked at her.
"I was hired to recover the records."
Victoria stared.
"By whom?"
Nathan smiled faintly.
"Someone who doesn't like loose ends."
Her face changed.
"Who?"
Nathan didn't answer.
Instead, he placed a photograph on the table.
It showed Maya standing beside Christian outside the hospital.
Victoria stared.
Then whispered:
"They're together."
Nathan shrugged.
"Looks that way."
Victoria's eyes filled with rage.
For years, she'd believed Christian was incapable of loving anyone.
Now he was protecting a waitress.
A woman with no money.
No family name.
No social standing.
Victoria stared at the photograph.
Then said:
"Bring me the girl."
Nathan looked at her.
"And Christian?"
May you like
Victoria smiled coldly.
"Let him come looking."
