17 Chapter 17 – The Matriarch’s Judgment
“I’ll be there,” I promised. “This marriage mystery needs to be solved.”
“Honesty,” he repeated with a cold laugh. “Like your honesty about who you really are? About why you’re so desperate to get out of this marriage?”
“Drink?” he offered.
His eyes narrowed. “I told you I’d help you figure this out. That hasn’t changed.”
Caleb burst into the room, his face flushed. “Uncle Arthur, what’s going on? Why is she here?” He pointed at me accusingly.
“You’re dealing with someone who wants answers just as badly as you do,” I said firmly. “So are we going to the Civil Affairs Bureau or not?”
We stared at each other in bewildered silence until I broke it.
“I–I wasn’t talking about you, Mrs. Sterling,” Genevieve stammered, her usual confident demeanor crumbling. “I was referring to Elara.”
Mrs. Sterling turned to Arthur. “Is that what you believe too, grandson?”
She nodded. “Very well. Arthur, please see these people out. Except Elara–she stays.”
He nodded, taking a long sip before speaking. “My grandmother is resting. The doctor says she’ll be fine, but she needs to avoid excitement.”
“Be careful. Fiona won’t forget what happened today.”
Fiona’s jaw dropped. “What?”
They exited with as much dignity as they could muster, Fiona shooting me one last venomous glare. The door closed behind them, leaving me alone in the opulent
drawing room.
“It’s not one misunderstanding,” Mrs. Sterling cut her off. “It’s a glimpse into character. And what I’ve seen today disgusts me.”
“Just your grandmother?” I couldn’t help asking.
Mrs. Sterling’s eyes narrowed. “And what gives you the right to speak to my
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granddaughter–in–law that way in my home?”
Arthur’s cold gaze swept over the room. “I’d like to know that myself.
“There’s been a misunderstanding,” Fiona rushed to explain, shooting me a venomous glare. “Elara’s been lying to everyone. She’s not married to your grandson. She’s just an illegitimate nobody trying to climb the social ladder.”
Mrs. Sterling’s grip tightened on her armrest. “Is that so?”
I felt heat rise to my cheeks. “I told you why. My company needs to-”
My heart skipped a beat. How did he know that name?
“That’s good news.”
“I expected honesty,” I shot back.
“Really? Because you just told your family that I’m not your wife.”
I headed for the door, pausing with my hand on the handle. “Thank you, by the way.”
“No, Fiona,” Mrs. Sterling corrected. “You did this to yourself.”
“Yes.” He studied me over the rim of his glass. “Now, about our situation.”
Arthur remained impassive, watching the drama unfold without intervention. Caleb looked like he might explode.
“I said my grandmother believes you’re my wife,” he corrected. “I never explicitly denied it.”
Fiona swayed on her feet, face blanching. Those shares must have been worth millions.
“Yes, your mysterious company.” He stepped closer. “The one you won’t name, run by the equally mysterious Dr. Wilson.”
“I’ll meet you there,” I countered. “No need to complicate things.”
All eyes shifted to Arthur. I held my breath, waiting for his response.
His expression changed instantly, confusion replacing his usual controlled demeanor. “I… I don’t know why I said that.”
I sank into a chair, my legs suddenly weak. What had just happened? In the span of
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twenty minutes, I’d been defended by the Sterling matriarch, had my “marriage” partially acknowledged by Arthur, and witnessed Fiona’s social downfall.
His harsh tone stung, but I recognized it for what it was–a defensive reaction from a man who felt cornered. Tomorrow would bring answers, one way or another. And whatever the truth might be, I had a feeling it would change everything.
He checked his watch. “It’s too late today. They’ll be closed.”
“Silence!” The old woman’s voice cracked like a whip. “Harrison told me everything. How you claimed Elara was trespassing when she was merely responding to my invitation. How you tried to have her thrown out.”
I offered a grim smile. “I’m used to her vendettas.”
“Arthur!” Mrs. Sterling scolded. “Stop this nonsense. You know very well who Elara is.”
A flash of something–amusement?-crossed his face. “Don’t push your luck, Little Star.”
I froze as Mrs. Sterling’s wheelchair rolled into the room, Arthur’s tall figure looming behind her. The temperature seemed to drop several degrees as realization dawned on Fiona’s and Genevieve’s faces. The frail woman they’d insulted moments ago wasn’t just some confused elderly lady–she was the Sterling family matriarch.
“For what?”
“You’ve been investigating me,” I accused.
“Absolutely,” Genevieve chimed in, gaining confidence. “She’s been deceiving you, ma’am. Using your… condition to manipulate her way into your family.”
“Elara?”
He nodded, clearly unsettled. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I stood up, matching his stance. “You promised to help me. Are you backing out now?”
I shook my head. “I need a clear head for whatever comes next.”
“And the Civil Affairs Bureau,” he added. “Don’t be late.”
Harrison appeared at the doorway. “Mrs. Sterling, the doctor recommends you rest
now.”
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“Grandmother believes Elara is my wife,” he stated carefully. “I asked Elara to look after her yesterday when we encountered each other downtown.”
“Come, Fiona,” Genevieve urged, looking utterly defeated. “We need to regroup.”
Mrs. Sterling seemed satisfied. “Well, I’ve made my judgment.” She pointed a gnarled finger at Fiona. “You, young lady, have shown your true colors today. The wedding is off.”
His jaw tightened. “As you wish.”
The room fell silent again as everyone looked at Arthur. His jaw tightened.
“Mrs. Sterling,” Genevieve stepped forward, her voice honey–sweet, “surely one misunderstanding shouldn’t-”
Arthur stepped forward, placing a calming hand on his grandmother’s shoulder. “Grandma, please don’t excite yourself. The doctor said-”
My heart sank. After everything, he was still going to deny knowing me?
“I’m completely serious,” she replied. “And those Sterling Industries shares I promised as a wedding gift? Consider them revoked.“”
I straightened my shoulders. “What exactly is our situation, Arthur? Because you’ve been sending mixed signals since yesterday.”
Caleb’s face reddened. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Fiona’s composure cracked. “I was protecting the family! She’s trying to con her way
in!”
“For not throwing me to the wolves back there. You could have easily sided with your family.”
Arthur studied me for a long moment. “Fine. I’ll pick you up at eight.”
“Grandma,” Caleb sputtered, “you can’t be serious!”
I turned to leave, but he called after me.
“I don’t care what the doctor said!” She waved him off. “I won’t sit here while these vultures insult Elara and question my mind.”
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I crossed my arms. “That’s a technicality and you know it.”
I couldn’t believe it. He wasn’t exactly lying, but he certainly wasn’t telling the whole truth either.
The silence that followed was deafening. Fiona’s face turned ashen.
After they left, Fiona lunged toward me, but Caleb grabbed her arm.
I looked back.
“I should go.”
My blood boiled, but before I could defend myself, Mrs. Sterling reached for the teacup on the nearby table and hurled it straight at Genevieve. The porcelain shattered against the wall inches from her head, tea splashing onto her expensive blouse.
“No.” His voice softened slightly. “But I need to know what I’m dealing with.”
He set down his glass. “What did you expect me to do? Announce to my entire family that we’re somehow legally married despite never having met before yesterday?”
“So she’s not your wife?” Caleb pressed, relief evident in his voice.
“Deceitful?” Fiona gasped. “Mrs. Sterling, I would never-”
“Then tomorrow,” I insisted. “First thing.”
Arthur’s eyes hardened. “Fine, then let’s go! If it’s not true, I hope you stop using Grandma as an excuse to pester me!”
Arthur’s eyes met mine briefly before responding. “Elara came here today because my grandmother was in distress. Whatever her relationship to this family, she showed more concern for Grandmother’s well–being than you did, Caleb.”
“Don’t,” he warned. “You’ll only make it worse.”
“I believe,” he said slowly, “that Elara had no malicious intent in bringing you home today. As for anything else, I reserve judgment.”
“It means,” Mrs. Sterling interjected, “that while you were off planning your wedding to this deceitful girl, Elara was making sure I got my medication.”
“Of course I have. Did you think I’d just take your word at face value?” His gaze was
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penetrating. “Elara Dubois, the supposed illegitimate daughter with a secret life. Very convenient.”
“How dare you!” Mrs. Sterling’s voice thundered through the room. “I may be old, but I’m not senile!”
He shrugged. “My grandmother likes you. That counts for something.”
Minutes stretched like hours before Arthur returned, his face unreadable as ever. He closed the door behind him and crossed to the bar cart, pouring himself a generous whiskey.
“This is all your fault, Fiona hissed at me, tears forming in her eyes. “You’ve ruined everything!”
Not exactly a ringing endorsement, but at least he wasn’t throwing me under the bus.
The childhood nickname caught me off guard. “What did you just call me?”
Arthur moved to wheel his grandmother from the room, pausing briefly beside me. “Wait here,” he murmured. “We need to talk.”
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