My Domination Begins With A Divorce

5

"Pass the caviar."

Evelyn Sterling sat at the long mahogany dining table and gestured toward the crystal bowl. The morning sun poured through the massive bay windows of the Sterling family estate.

Sarah picked up the silver spoon and scooped the expensive fish eggs onto a toasted brioche bun. She wore a silk robe and her hair was perfectly styled for the upcoming press conference.

"Do you think he actually slept on the street?" Sarah asked. She took a bite of her food and swallowed before continuing. "Aiden said the hospital locked the doors and threw him out before midnight."

"Who cares where that parasite slept," Evelyn sneered. She wiped her mouth with a linen napkin. "His sister is probably dead in a morgue by now. We finally have an excuse to cut him out of our lives forever."

"It was embarrassing to watch him crawl like a dog," Sarah sighed. "He ruined my dress with his filthy hands when he tried to grab my arm."

"He is a weak man and weak men deserve to be crushed," Evelyn stated. She took a sip of her coffee and smiled. "Today is about our family legacy. The Apex Logistics contract will save our company from bankruptcy. We will secure one hundred million dollars in shipping revenue before lunch."

"Aiden promised to take me to Paris for the weekend to celebrate the merger," Sarah said. She picked up her mobile phone and unlocked the screen. "I should call Ethan right now. I want him legally gone before we sign the documents."

"Make him come to the office," Evelyn suggested. "Let the entire staff see him leave with nothing. It will serve as a warning to anyone else who tries to cross our family."

Sarah nodded and tapped the screen to initiate the call. She placed the phone on the table and put the speaker on high volume.

The line rang twice before a voice answered.

"What do you want?" Ethan asked. His voice sounded cold and steady through the speaker.

"I want a divorce," Sarah commanded. She leaned back in her plush chair. "You humiliated me in front of the entire city last night. I am done pretending to be your wife. Come to the Sterling corporate headquarters at noon today to sign the papers."

"Are you sure you want to do this today?" Ethan asked.

"I have a massive contract signing at noon," Sarah replied. "Bring your identification. The lawyers drafted a clean break. You will not receive a single penny of alimony or company stock."

"I do not want your failing company," Ethan said.

"Do not try to act tough," Sarah mocked. "You were crying on the floor twelve hours ago. I want you to walk through the lobby so all my employees can see you leave with nothing. Be there at noon or I will have Aiden send his lawyers to crush you."

Sarah ended the call and tossed the phone onto the table. She smiled at her mother and took another bite of her expensive breakfast.

Ethan lowered his phone and looked at the black screen. He stood by the window of the presidential suite and looked out over the city skyline. The morning light cast long shadows across the streets below.

He turned his head and watched Ada sleeping peacefully in the massive bed. The new kidney was functioning and the harsh alarms of the intensive care unit were a distant memory.

The heavy wooden door opened and Doctor Aris walked into the room. The physician checked the monitors and smiled at Ethan.

"The donor kidney took beautifully," Aris whispered. "Her body is accepting the organ without any signs of rejection. We have the best nursing staff monitoring her vitals round the clock."

"Thank you for standing by her when no one else would," Ethan said.

"You are the one who saved her," Aris replied. "That donation changed the future of this entire medical center. We are building a new pediatric wing in her name."

Doctor Aris patted Ethan on the shoulder and quietly left the room to let the young girl sleep.

Alaric stepped forward from the corner of the hospital room. The older man carried a garment bag over his arm and a silver briefcase in his hand.

"The timing is quite poetic," Alaric noted. He placed the bag on a leather armchair and unzipped the protective cover. "The Sterlings are preparing to sign their lives away to Apex Logistics. They do not know you acquired that corporation four hours ago."

"Did the board of directors accept the buyout?" Ethan asked.

"They surrendered immediately when they saw the Sovereign Global seal," Alaric answered. "We paid them in cash. You own every truck and every shipping route they operate. Richard White is the chief executive officer of Apex and he is waiting for your orders."

"Apex Logistics controls fifty percent of the shipping lanes in this region," Ethan said. He recalled the financial charts from the previous night. "The Sterling family relies on those lanes to import their raw materials. Without this contract, their factories will halt production by tomorrow morning."

"Richard White understands that his continued employment relies on his absolute loyalty to you," Alaric stated. "He will follow your command."

Ethan looked at the clothing inside the garment bag. It was a bespoke suit tailored from deep midnight blue wool. There were no flashy brand logos or designer tags attached to the fabric. The material radiated a quiet power that only true wealth could purchase.

"Put this on," Alaric instructed. "A king does not execute his traitors wearing the clothes of a beggar."

Two hours later, a black armored vehicle pulled up to the curb of the financial district.

The Sterling corporate headquarters towered over the busy street. Ethan stepped out of the vehicle and walked toward the glass entrance. The midday sun reflected off the pristine windows of the skyscraper.

He pushed through the revolving doors and stepped into the bustling lobby. Dozens of employees rushed past him with coffee cups and briefcases. They ignored him as they hurried toward their respective departments.

Ethan walked straight toward the main elevator bank. He needed to reach the executive boardroom on the top floor.

"Hold it right there!" a loud voice echoed across the marble floor.

Eric stepped out from behind the front security desk. The large guard rested his hand on his utility belt and glared at Ethan. He had spent the last three years mocking Ethan whenever the young man came to deliver lunch to his wife.

A second guard named Davis followed close behind Eric. They formed a wall to block the elevator doors.

"You are not allowed past the desk," Eric sneered. He looked Ethan up and down and let out a harsh laugh. "Did you rent that suit from a costume shop? You still look like a stray dog trying to play dress up."

Ethan stopped walking and looked at the guard. "I am here to see Sarah. Get out of my way."

"Mrs. Sterling left strict orders regarding you," Eric said. He stepped closer and puffed out his chest to intimidate Ethan. "She said you have to use the freight elevator in the back alley. The main lobby is reserved for the Apex Logistics executives arriving today."

"I am not using the freight elevator," Ethan replied. His voice was dangerously calm. "Step aside before you lose your job."

Davis laughed loud enough to draw the attention of several employees waiting nearby.

"Listen to the garbage man making threats," Davis mocked. He pointed a finger at Ethan. "You do not have a penny to your name. Your wife is upstairs preparing to throw you out into the street. You have no power here."

"Mrs. Sterling warned us you might try to cause a scene," Eric added. "She told us to use necessary force if you refused to use the back entrance."

"You are defending a company that is going bankrupt," Ethan said.

"The only bankrupt person here is you," Davis shot back. "Now turn around and walk to the alley before we call the police."

"I will give you one final warning," Ethan said. He did not raise his voice but his eyes turned cold. "Move."

Eric drew his black security baton from his belt. The heavy metal weapon slapped against the palm of his hand in a threatening rhythm.

"I always wanted an excuse to beat you," Eric growled. He raised the baton over his head and prepared to strike Ethan in the ribs. "I will break your bones and throw you into the dumpster myself."

"Break his arm and you are dead!"

A booming voice shattered the tension in the lobby.

The polished metal doors of the executive elevator slid open. A man in a tailored gray suit marched out of the steel cabin. Richard White wiped sweat from his brow and stared at the security guard with raw fury.