“Why is this woman still here?”
One guard took a hesitant step forward.
Before he reached us, a voice came through the ballroom speakers.
“And now, ladies and gentlemen, the moment we have all been waiting for.”
Every head turned toward the stage.
Charles Whitmore, the oldest member of the Sterling Foundation board, stood behind the microphone. His silver hair was neatly combed, and he held a sealed envelope in one hand.
“Tonight’s gala was created to celebrate the future of Sterling Global.”
Bianca smiled.
She clearly believed the announcement was about Adrian.
My husband stood near the front table with a champagne glass in his hand.
His face had already lost its color.
Charles continued.
“But before we speak about the future, we must correct a very serious lie about the past.”
A murmur moved through the room.
Bianca’s smile weakened.
Charles looked directly at me.
“Please welcome back the founder of the Sterling Children’s Foundation.”
He paused.
“The controlling shareholder of Sterling Global.”
Another pause.
“And the legal owner of this estate.”
The room became completely still.
“Mrs. Evelyn Sterling.”
Gasps moved through the crowd.