Chapter 10: The Queen Returns
1243 Words
The grand headquarters of Sterling Group stood proudly in the heart of the city, its glass walls reflecting the morning sunlight. Employees in tailored suits hurried through the lobby, greeting one another as another busy workday began.
But today...
Something felt different.
Whispers spread from one department to another.
"Miss Sterling is here."
"I heard she came to attend the board meeting."
"Really? Doesn't Mr. Carter handle everything now?"
"I don't know... but something feels strange."
Amber walked through the revolving doors with quiet confidence.
She wore a cream-colored pantsuit, elegant but simple. Her long hair fell over one shoulder, and a pair of pearl earrings—her mother's favorite—sparkled softly beneath the lights.
Unlike the timid woman from her first life, every step she took was calm and deliberate.
Heads turned as she passed.
Some employees smiled respectfully.
Others looked surprised.
And a few...
Quickly lowered their heads and sent discreet messages on their phones.
Amber noticed everything.
So... the spies have already informed Ethan that I'm here.
She smiled faintly.
Good.
Let him panic.
The Elevator
As the elevator doors closed, Daniel Brooks handed Amber a slim folder.
"I stayed up all night reviewing the company's finances."
Amber accepted it.
"Did you find anything?"
Daniel adjusted his glasses.
"More than I expected."
He opened the folder.
"There are eighteen suspicious transactions over the last eight months."
Amber's expression darkened.
"The total amount?"
"Almost thirty million dollars."
Amber remained silent.
Daniel continued.
"The money wasn't stolen directly."
"It was moved through shell companies and fake consulting contracts."
Exactly as Ethan had done in her previous life.
Small amounts.
Impossible to notice individually.
Devastating when combined.
Daniel looked at Amber carefully.
"Miss Sterling..."
"Yes?"
"I have to ask."
"Do you suspect someone?"
Amber slowly closed the folder.
"Yes."
Daniel frowned.
"Who?"
Amber looked at the elevator display as the numbers climbed.
"Someone sitting in today's board meeting."
Boardroom – 10:00 A.M.
The massive conference room buzzed with conversation.
Around the polished oak table sat twelve directors.
Some had worked with Richard Sterling for decades.
Others had joined more recently.
At the head of the table...
Sat Ethan Carter.
Confident.
Relaxed.
As though he already owned the company.
The moment Amber entered...
Every conversation stopped.
Ethan stood immediately.
A charming smile spread across his face.
"My wife."
He walked toward her.
"You're feeling better?"
Amber smiled politely.
"Much better."
Without warning...
Ethan kissed her forehead.
To everyone watching...
He looked like the perfect husband.
Only Amber knew the truth.
She resisted the urge to pull away.
Keep acting.
Not yet.
Ethan whispered so only she could hear.
"I didn't know you were coming."
Amber met his gaze.
"I like surprises."
For the briefest moment...
His smile faltered.
Then it returned.
"Everyone," Ethan announced.
"It's wonderful that Amber decided to join us today."
Several board members applauded politely.
Amber looked around the room.
She studied every face.
Every expression.
Who among them had betrayed her father?
The Meeting Begins
Ethan confidently took control.
"As everyone knows, Sterling Group has achieved record profits this quarter."
Charts appeared on the large screen.
Revenue.
Growth.
Expansion.
The numbers looked impressive.
Too impressive.
Amber quietly read the report Daniel had given her.
Then she frowned.
The figures didn't match.
Not even close.
Interesting.
Ethan continued speaking.
"I recommend we approve the overseas investment project immediately."
Several directors nodded.
One by one...
Hands began rising in agreement.
Amber remained silent.
Until—
"I object."
The room fell quiet.
Every head turned toward her.
Ethan smiled pleasantly.
"Amber?"
She closed the report.
"I'd like to see the original financial statements."
A few directors exchanged nervous glances.
Ethan laughed lightly.
"The finance department already reviewed them."
"I'm sure they did."
Amber folded her hands.
"But I asked for the originals."
Silence.
Ethan's smile became strained.
"Is that really necessary?"
"Yes."
One elderly director cleared his throat.
"Miss Sterling..."
"Is there a problem?"
Amber looked directly at him.
"I simply prefer making decisions based on facts."
The room became tense.
Finally...
The finance manager entered carrying several files.
Amber opened the first one.
Then the second.
Then the third.
Page after page.
Everyone waited.
Five minutes passed.
Ten.
The silence became unbearable.
Finally...
Amber looked up.
"Interesting."
Ethan maintained his smile.
"What did you find?"
Amber slowly placed one document on the table.
"This invoice."
She slid it toward the directors.
"It states Sterling Group paid five million dollars for market research."
Several directors nodded.
Amber smiled.
"Except..."
She placed another document beside it.
"The company that supposedly performed the research doesn't exist."
The room exploded with murmurs.
"What?"
"Impossible!"
Ethan's expression changed.
Only for a second.
But Amber saw it.
Panic.
She continued.
"Not only that..."
She displayed another file.
"This consulting company shares the same address."
Another file.
"This one too."
Another.
"And this one."
Daniel watched in amazement.
Even he hadn't noticed the pattern.
Amber calmly looked around the room.
"So I'd like to ask..."
"Who approved these payments?"
Silence.
No one answered.
Amber slowly turned toward Ethan.
"Perhaps my husband would like to explain."
Every eye in the room shifted to Ethan.
His jaw tightened.
He hadn't expected this.
Not from the quiet, trusting Amber he thought he knew.
He forced a laugh.
"I'm sure it's simply an accounting mistake."
Amber smiled sweetly.
"Really?"
She pressed a button on the conference table.
The projector changed.
A document appeared on the giant screen.
Authorization Signature.
Signed by...
Ethan Carter.
The room fell into stunned silence.
Ethan's face went pale.
Amber spoke calmly.
"Would you still call it an accounting mistake?"
One director slammed his hand on the table.
"What is the meaning of this?"
Another stood.
"Mr. Carter, explain yourself!"
Ethan quickly recovered.
"I..."
Before he could continue...
Amber interrupted.
"No."
Everyone looked at her.
She slowly stood.
For the first time...
She looked exactly like the daughter of Richard Sterling.
Powerful.
Elegant.
Untouchable.
"My father built this company with honesty."
Her voice echoed through the room.
"I will not allow anyone..."
"...not even my own husband..."
"...to steal from Sterling Group."
The directors stared at her in shock.
No one had ever seen Amber like this.
Not even Ethan.
He suddenly realized something terrifying.
The woman standing before him...
Was no longer under his control.
Outside the Boardroom
High above the city...
Adrian watched the meeting through a secure video connection.
A small smile appeared on his usually expressionless face.
"She's finally fighting back."
His assistant looked confused.
"Sir?"
Adrian never took his eyes off the screen.
"The Queen has made her first move."
He quietly closed his laptop.
For the first time in years...
He felt proud.
Not because Amber needed him.
But because she was beginning to realize she didn't.
And somehow...
That only made him admire her more.
Meanwhile...
Across town...
A black luxury car stopped in front of an abandoned warehouse.
A tall man stepped out.
His face remained hidden beneath the shadow of his hat.
Inside the warehouse...
Someone was already waiting.
The mysterious mastermind.
He slowly clapped.
"Impressive."
Ethan lowered his head.
"I'm sorry."
The mastermind smiled.
"No."
"This changes nothing."
He leaned forward.
"In fact..."
His smile widened.
"The game is becoming much more entertaining."
He looked toward the city skyline.
"Amber Sterling..."
"You've finally become worthy of being my opponent."
His laughter echoed through the empty warehouse.
And for the first time...
Even Ethan looked afraid
to be continued
- Writer
