Looking at Vanessa, I felt no satisfaction—only sadness.
"That's enough."
Julian turned to Derek, his voice even.
"Sterling Capital cuts every partnership with Vaughn Studios, effective immediately."
Derek went rigid.
"Mr. Cross!
"I've invested everything I own in that film project.
"If you kill it now, my studio will collapse."
Julian's face remained expressionless.
"And that concerns me how?"
Sweat broke across Derek's forehead.
"Mr. Cross, let's talk business. Can't we keep personal feelings out of it?"
Julian let out a quiet laugh, but there was no warmth in it.
"Did you keep personal feelings out of it while you were bullying my wife?"
Derek seemed to have a stone lodged in his throat.
Julian continued,
"From today onward, Sterling will have no dealings with Vaughn Stu
