Chapter Three: The Unexpected Guest
689 Words
Yvonne came downstairs just as the final preparations were being made.
She had changed into a simple but elegant dress, her hair neatly styled. She stopped at the bottom of the staircase when she noticed the number of people moving around the house.
Her stepmother looked at her from across the room.
“Finally.”
Yvonne ignored the comment.
Richard turned toward her.
“Come here.”
She walked over.
“Edward Sterling will be here shortly,” he said. “I want you to behave yourself.”
Yvonne nodded.
“Yes, Father.”
Charlotte walked past her, looking unusually excited.
Yvonne noticed.
“What?”
Charlotte stopped.
“Nothing.”
“You look happy.”
Charlotte smiled.
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
Before Yvonne could answer, the sound of cars approaching the mansion interrupted them.
Richard immediately straightened.
“They’re here.”
Everyone moved toward the entrance.
Several black cars stopped in front of the mansion.
A few men stepped out first.
Then Edward Sterling emerged from the second car.
Richard walked forward to greet him.
“Edward. Welcome.”
Edward smiled and shook his hand.
“Richard.”
The two men exchanged pleasantries before Edward glanced toward the family.
“Your daughters?”
Richard nodded.
“This is Charlotte.”
Charlotte stepped forward with a polite smile.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Sterling.”
Edward nodded.
“And this is Yvonne.”
Yvonne stepped forward.
“Hello.”
Edward studied her briefly before smiling.
“It’s nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.”
Everyone moved into the sitting room.
Edward placed a leather folder on the table.
“I believe we’re all here for the same reason.”
Richard nodded.
“Yes.”
“The agreement?”
Richard gestured toward the documents.
“Everything is ready.”
Edward opened the folder.
“The investment will restore Carter Construction and clear the immediate debts.”
Richard nodded.
“And the marriage arrangement?”
Edward looked at him.
“As agreed.”
Yvonne’s heart sank.
She knew it was coming.
Charlotte, however, suddenly looked uncomfortable.
Edward continued.
“One of your daughters will become part of the Sterling family.”
Charlotte lowered her eyes.
She had assumed this was about Edward.
Now that she was sitting across from him, the reality felt even worse.
Richard reached for the documents.
“We can finalize everything today.”
Edward nodded.
“Good.”
Yvonne remained quiet.
She couldn’t understand how everyone could discuss her future as though it were another business clause.
A marriage.
A company.
Money.
Everything seemed to have a price.
After the discussion, Richard asked Yvonne to take some documents to the office across town.
“You need to deliver these immediately.”
Yvonne nodded.
“Alright.”
She picked up the envelope and left.
Outside, she entered the car and gave the driver the address.
She had no idea that the simple errand would change everything.
Across town, another black car pulled into the same building.
Adrian Sterling stepped out.
He had just returned from a meeting and was heading inside when he noticed a young woman standing near the entrance.
Yvonne.
She was holding a folder, looking slightly frustrated as she tried to figure out where she was supposed to go.
Adrian slowed.
Something about her caught his attention.
Yvonne looked up.
Their eyes met.
Neither of them moved.
For a few seconds, the world around them seemed to disappear.
Adrian had no idea who she was.
Yvonne had no idea who he was.
But there was something strangely familiar about the way he looked at her.
Adrian took a step closer.
“Are you lost?”
Yvonne blinked.
“A little.”
He smiled.
“Where are you trying to go?”
She showed him the envelope.
“This office.”
Adrian glanced at it.
“Come with me.”
Yvonne hesitated.
Then she followed him.
Neither of them knew that the man walking beside her was Adrian Sterling.
And neither knew that, back at the Carter mansion, their families were discussing a marriage that would soon bring them together.
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