— Andrew’s POV
The Sterling estate always smelled the same — faint oak, cold marble, and something metallic that made my stomach tighten every time I stepped inside.
I hadn’t been here in weeks. Not since my father’s last meeting that ended with him reminding me — threatening me — that family came before my “pet projects,” meaning Lily.
But I wasn’t here to talk.
I was here to dig.
My father wasn’t around — out at a merger meeting, according to the staff — which gave me the window I needed.
I went straight to his office.
The space was pristine, too pristine. Not a paper out of place, not a file left open. My father was many things — controlling, calculating, cruel when he wanted to be — but careless wasn’t one of them.
I scanned the corners, eyes narrowing.
There — two small black
