Rise Of The Ice Lord

4

Chapter Four: The Strike on the Concrete

The residents of the coastal district huddled together under the glow of the xenon tower lights. The cold autumn wind whipped through their expensive coats and silk robes. Councilman Thomas lowered his mobile phone and clapped Harlan Sterling on the shoulder. He offered a wide grin to the patriarch.

"You played us all," Thomas chuckled. "You raised a venture capitalist right under our noses. Buying the Alderwood estate to keep him close to home is a brilliant move."

The elite crowd murmured in agreement. They assumed the Sterlings had groomed Rowan in secret to avoid public scrutiny. Wealthy families often hid their most successful heirs from the media to protect their assets. The neighbors exchanged envious glances. They believed Rowan possessed staggering wealth and bought the massive property simply to honor his foster parents.

Harlan forced a stiff nod. He did not know how to correct the politician without humiliating himself.

Genevieve stood frozen on the damp sidewalk. Her heart hammered against her ribs. She knew the reality of their morning meeting at the law office. The legal severance was absolute. Rowan was a stranger.

Torin leaned close to her ear. He grabbed her elbow and pulled her away from the listening neighbors. Nerida trailed behind them holding Torin coat.

"Do not panic," Torin whispered. "Think about his history. He spent fifteen years doing our chores just to get a pat on the head. A little money does not rewire a human brain in twelve hours."

Genevieve swallowed hard. She looked at the fleet of excavators tearing up the manicured Alderwood lawns. The heavy machinery was ripping deep trenches into the soil for geothermal pipes.

"He signed the severance papers," Genevieve replied quietly. "He told Arthur Sullivan you take used bedmates. Why would he buy the house next door?"

"Because he is desperate," Torin insisted. He tightened his grip on her arm. "He wants to prove his worth. This entire construction project is just a massive temper tantrum. He is throwing money around to get your attention."

Torin pointed a finger at the towering floodlights.

"Look at the spectacle," Torin continued. "He could have bought a private island. He bought the house next to ours because he needs your validation. He is begging you to invite him back inside."

The logic fed her ego. Genevieve posture straightened. She realized she could manipulate him back into her control. A son with nine figures of liquid capital could make the Sterling family the most powerful dynasty in the state. She could use his fortune to fund Harlan corporate acquisitions.

Genevieve stepped away from Torin and fluffed her mink wrap. She forced tears into her eyes and pasted a radiant smile on her face. She walked across the property line toward the heavy machinery. She ignored the warning shouts of the construction foreman.

"Rowan, darling!" Genevieve called out. She projected her voice to ensure the wealthy onlookers heard every word. "You always were our secret pride. Come give your mother a hug!"

She opened her arms and stepped into his personal space. She expected him to lower his head and accept her embrace. She waited for him to apologize for his earlier behavior.

Rowan did not blink. He looked at the woman who had kicked him out into the freezing sleet to die. He felt no residual loyalty. He did not shift his stance or wind up his shoulder.

Smack!

His open palm cracked across her face with devastating torque. The sharp sound echoed over the mechanical roar of the diesel engines.

Genevieve spun sideways. She lost her footing in her designer heels and crashed into the wet driveway gravel. Her diamond earrings tore loose and vanished into the mud. She grabbed her rapidly swelling cheek. She stared up at him in sheer terror.

The gathered crowd gasped in unison. Councilman Thomas dropped his phone onto the concrete. The wealthy socialites stood paralyzed in the street.

Torin face flushed crimson. He could not process the sight of his mother bleeding on the ground. He charged past the property line screaming about filial duty and respect.

"You ungrateful stray!" Torin roared. He raised his fists and swung a wild hook at Rowan head.

Rowan pivoted smoothly to the side. He let Torin momentum carry him forward. He planted a brutal strike directly across the golden boy jaw.

Bone crunched under his knuckles. Torin feet lifted off the pavement. He crashed hard against the iron boundary gate and collapsed onto the concrete. Torin groaned and spat a mouthful of blood and broken teeth directly onto Nerida designer pumps.

Nerida shrieked. She scrambled backward and pressed her hands over her mouth. She looked at Torin bleeding on the ground and then at Rowan standing tall in his custom shearling coat. Regret washed over her face.

Rowan stood over them. He pulled a crisp linen towel from his coat pocket and meticulously wiped his knuckles. He dropped the stained fabric onto Torin chest.

Rowan turned his attention to the paralyzed crowd of aristocrats. He pitched his voice to carry over the idling engines.

"Genevieve Sterling is not my mother," Rowan declared loudly. "We severed all legal ties at the Sullivan and Finch law firm this morning. Harlan paid me three thousand dollars to leave the county and die."

He pointed a finger at Torin bleeding mouth.

"That is my former foster brother," Rowan continued. "He is currently sleeping with my former fiancée."

The neighbors stared in shock. The pristine Sterling reputation dissolved into thin air. Harlan hid his face in his hands.

"I bought this property to build my own life," Rowan said. He looked directly at the Sterling family bleeding in the mud. "When the winter storm hits later this month, this fence will be locked. Anyone crossing my property line will be shot by armed private security."