Chapter 2

2

Silas was a titan in the R&D world. He wasn't just a suit; he was a genius.

In the past, I'd had to beg him to share projects with Everett just so the Fords could have a seat at the table.

Without those scraps, Everett would have been a nobody.

After Silas finished his calls, he looked at my younger brother. "Leo, get your headhunters ready. I want every talented person at Ford Tech poached by morning."

Leo grinned, cracking his knuckles. "On it, Silas. I'm going to make Everett regret ever being born."

The party lasted until midnight, but the atmosphere had shifted from celebration to a war council.

When we finally got home, the entire Ford family was waiting on our doorstep.

Even my grandfather and mother had flown back from their trip to Europe.

Everett's grandfather, Frederick Ford, rushed over the second we stepped out of the car.

"Serena, child, I am so incredibly sorry. My grandson is a fool."

"We're all here to make this right. Please, forgive us."

Frederick had always been kind to me, treating me like his own flesh and blood. But he was retired now; he had no real power.

"Grandpa Ford, you shouldn't be standing out here in the cold. Please, go home."

Silas snorted behind me.

"They don't belong in this house. They shouldn't even be on the property."

He pushed past them and went inside without another word.

Inside the foyer, Frederick looked at my grandfather. "George, tonight was a disaster. I only just found out what happened."

"The engagement has stood for over twenty years. We can't just throw it away."

"Let Everett apologize to Serena. We'll get back on track. What do you say?"

My grandfather's brow furrowed into a deep line of anger.

"You think you can just toggle this engagement on and off like a light switch? Who do you think we are?"

"Do you have any respect for the Sterling name at all?"

"Everett Ford is not, and will never be, fit to marry into this family."

"Fine by me! Who wants to be a Sterling anyway?" Everett muttered from the back. He even whispered, "Old fossil," under his breath.

"I'm a leader in the tech industry now. I don't need your charity."

"Just so you know, a major European firm is already in talks with me. I'm going global."

"My status is beyond anything the Sterlings can threaten."

I finally saw him for what he was. A parasite.

When he was drowning, he wagged his tail and begged for help. Now that he felt powerful, he looked down on everyone.

Silas was right. I had been too blind and too kind.

Before I could move, my grandfather stood up and delivered a stinging slap across Everett's face.

"You disrespectful brat. You think you can speak that way in my house?"

Everett clutched his cheek, his eyes wild with rage. "You old bastard! Do you have any idea how much this face is worth? Even Charles, the European rep, thinks I'm a star!"

"My own grandfather never laid a hand on me. You think you can?"

"I'll kill you!"

He actually lunged toward my grandfather. He'd lost his mind.

Silas stepped in and shoved him so hard he flew across the room.

"Everett, look around. This is a Sterling mansion, not your playground."

"My sister must have been drugged to ever love a piece of trash like you. It makes me sick."

Everett glared at me with pure venom.

"Serena, you can't have me, so you're trying to destroy me? That's low, even for you."

"I felt a little guilty about tonight, but now? I'm glad I did it."

"Lily was right. You're a cold, manipulative bitch. You're boring as hell."

"Starting right now, you're fired from my company. Don't ever show your face there again."

I was stunned. The sheer level of audacity was record-breaking.

I funded that company. I built it. And now he was kicking me out?

It was almost funny.

"Everett, I gave you everything. This is how you pay me back?"

"You're forgetting that the company exists because of my money."

Everett hesitated for a split second, then puffed out his chest.

"So what if you provided the capital? The company is in my name."

"Besides, you made plenty of money over the years. We're even."

"I'm done playing nice. The Fords are just as big as the Sterlings now. I don't have to take your shit."

"Once I sign that European deal, I'll surpass you. When you come crawling back to beg for mercy, I'll laugh in your face."

European deal? He really thought he earned that?

The European reps reached out to me first.

I was the one who recommended him. I was the one who set the meeting.

But Everett, the arrogant idiot, had no idea what I was truly capable of.

Without me, he wouldn't even get past the secretary.

"Everett, you are truly a special kind of delusional."

"I did everything for you, and you turned into a snake."

"Fine. Let's see how long you last without my help."

Everett's mother turned on me then, her finger pointed at my nose.

"Oh, you think the Sterlings own the world?"

"Listen to me, you little brat. We aren't pushovers anymore."

"Dad, stop apologizing! These people don't have hearts."

"Once Everett's deal goes through, we're going to bankrupt the Sterlings."

The room went silent, then my entire family burst into laughter. It was the most ridiculous thing we'd ever heard.

My grandfather stood up, looking down at them like they were ants.

"So that's your grand plan? I overestimated you."

"Bankrupt us? Try it. Give it your best shot."

"I want to see who's left standing when the dust clears."

My grandfather wasn't just talking. He was a self-made man who had survived everything the world threw at him.

When he decided to end someone, he didn't stop until they were buried.

Crushing the Fords would be as easy as stepping on a bug.

They had been comfortable for so long they forgot who built their throne.

Everett looked at me with disgust. "Serena, you're nothing compared to Lily."

"You're just a spoiled brat hiding behind her family name. You have zero talent."

"Lily is kind and understanding. You aren't fit to lace her shoes."

Understanding?

I couldn't wait to see if she was still 'understanding' once his bank account hit zero.