15 Chapter 15 – Crisis at the Gates
His pupils contracted in shock. The cold mask slipped, revealing raw alarm.
I ignored the jab, focusing instead on Mrs. Sterling, whose face had gone pale. “Are you feeling alright?”
“Mother, please,” I said, trying to defuse the situation. “Let’s just wait for someone to come get Mrs. Sterling.”
The guards looked uncertain, caught between protocol and a medical emergency.
“All we care about is stopping your pathetic schemes,” Fiona hissed. “You’re not getting past us.”
She stirred, blinking slowly as she oriented herself. “Oh, yes. Home sweet home.”
“Get out of my way!” I snapped, my patience shattering. “This woman needs help
NOW.”.
“This morning,” she whispered, her breathing becoming labored.
I ignored her, carefully lifting Mrs. Sterling into my arms despite her weight. The old woman’s head lolled against my shoulder, her breathing shallow.
The guard studied Mrs. Sterling’s face, recognition flickering in his eyes. He spoke into his communication device, then turned back to us.
Mrs. Sterling patted my hand. “Don’t worry, dear. They know me.”
“Please,” I pleaded. “Look at her. She needs help immediately.”
“Elara, who are these rude young women?” she asked, her voice frail.
The guards exchanged glances.
“ID, please,” one of them requested, approaching us cautiously.
I turned to the guards. “She needs medical attention! Please, let us through!”
Before I could respond, a familiar voice cut through the air like a knife.
The taxi pulled up to an imposing gate that stretched across the width of a small
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street. Black wrought iron bars rose at least fifteen feet high, with golden tips that
glinted under the setting sun. Beyond the gate stood a massive estate–No. One Manor -the legendary Sterling residence.
“Mrs. Sterling” I said gently, touching her arm. “I think we’re here.”
“Listen here,” she spat. “I don’t know what lies Elara has told you, but she’s using you to try to get to Arthur Sterling. She’s nothing but a manipulative gold–digger.”
She pressed a hand to her chest. “My medication… I need my medication.”
Genevieve stepped forward, her face twisted with contempt. “First she claims to be married to Arthur Sterling, and now she’s bringing random old women to his gate. Your desperation is showing, Elara.”
“Grandmother?” he whispered, his voice suddenly stripped of its commanding power.
The back door opened, and Arthur Sterling emerged. Tall, imposing, dressed in an immaculate charcoal suit. His cold eyes swept over the scene with surgical precision.
“Please wait here. Someone will come to escort Mrs. Sterling inside.”
“Move!” I demanded, pushing forward.
“You’ve lost your minds,” I said through gritted teeth. “A woman is dying, and all you care about is keeping me out?”
“I don’t expect you to believe anything,” I said. “I’m not here for you.”
Fiona immediately switched to a demure smile. “Mr. Sterling! Thank goodness you’re here. This woman-” she pointed at me, “-was trying to force her way into your home using this poor old lady as an excuse.”
I smiled politely. “I should probably head back once you’re safely inside.”
“We can’t wait,” I decided, moving to help her stand. “I’m carrying her in.”
I was trapped in a grotesque tug–of–war, with Mrs. Sterling’s frail body in my arms and Genevieve hanging onto my leg. Fiona positioned herself directly in front of me, effectively blocking any movement toward the gate.
Fiona sneered. “Not her real mother. Just the woman who was stupid enough to raise
her.”
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The taxi driver turned around. “This is as far as I go, ma’am. Security won’t let me through without clearance.”
While waiting for a response, I helped Mrs. Sterling to a stone bench just outside the gate.
“Nonsense!” She gripped my arm more firmly. “You must come in. I insist.”
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“Mother?” Mrs. Sterling looked at me in confusion. “That awful woman is your
mother?”
I glanced at Old Mrs. Sterling, who had dozed off during our ride. Her head rested against the window, white hair neatly pinned in a bun despite our long day.
Just then, the smooth purr of an engine cut through the chaos. A sleek black Bentley pulled up to the gate, and the guards snapped to attention.
Arthur’s gaze landed on me, recognition flickering in his eyes. But before he could speak, his expression changed dramatically as his focus shifted to the woman in my
arms.
She ignored my question, her eyes darting between me and Mrs. Sterling. “Are you trying to force your way into the Sterling estate now? How pathetic.”
“The family doctor is coming,” the guard announced. “Please stay calm.”
I shifted uncomfortably. “I don’t have clearance. I’m just dropping her off.”
Fiona blocked my path. “Guards!. This woman is trying to trespass!”
I nodded and paid the fare, then helped Mrs. Sterling out of the car. She leaned heavily on my arm as we approached the gate, where two guards stood at attention.
“I’m not desperate,” I replied, keeping my voice calm. “I’m helping Mrs. Sterling get
home.”
Genevieve stepped directly in front of us. “You’re not taking one step closer to that gate.”
Before I could answer, Genevieve pushed past me to tower over the seated woman.
I took another step forward. Genevieve grabbed my leg, nearly causing me to stumble
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with Mrs. Sterling in my arms.
Mrs. Sterling’s condition was visibly deteriorating. Her lips had taken on a bluish tint, and she was struggling to breathe.
I pulled out my phone and texted the number saved as “Grandson” in Mrs. Sterling’s phone: “We’re at the gate. Your grandmother is tired. Please send someone quickly.”
Panic surged through me. “Mrs. Sterling, when did you last take your medication?”
Fiona laughed, the sound sharp and mocking. “Mrs. Sterling? You expect us to believe this old woman is related to Arthur Sterling?”
“Let go!” I shouted, trying to keep my balance.
“Such devotion,” Fiona mocked. “What did she promise you? Money? Access to Arthur Sterling?”
One guard hesitated, then spoke into his device again.
“Help!” Genevieve screamed, still clinging to my leg. “This woman is attacking us and trying to break into the Sterling estate!”
I yanked my arm away. “This isn’t an act! She needs help!”
“What is happening here?” he demanded, his voice cutting through the air like steel.
“Fiona,” I said evenly. “What are you doing here?”
“Excuse me,” I called out. “I’m here to bring Mrs. Sterling home.”
I turned to see Fiona striding toward us, Genevieve close behind. My stomach knotted
instantly.
Mrs. Sterling’s face hardened. “I beg your pardon? Who do you think you are, speaking
to me this way?”
I checked my phone again. No response. Mrs. Sterling was looking increasingly confused by the hostility.
“Thank you for bringing me home,” she said, squeezing my hand. “You’ll come in and meet Puppy now, won’t you?”
Fiona grabbed my arm. “Stop this act. You’re not getting inside.”
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1 quickly rummaged through her handbag, finding a small pill bottle. Empty.
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