Chapter 17 - The Trustee
Malcolm Sterling had known Victoria since childhood.
He had managed the Sterling family trust for nineteen years.
Victoria called him Uncle Malcolm even though they shared no blood.
When Julian told her what Eleanor said, Victoria went silent.
"She's lying."
"Maybe."
"Malcolm would never give her my records."
"Then we prove it."
Naomi's face on the video call was bruised but focused.
"I checked access logs. Malcolm viewed your confidential beneficiary file eleven times in the month before Eleanor approached you."
Victoria's throat tightened.
"That's his job."
"He also exported a copy."
"Why?"
"He marked it for external legal review. There is no legal-review engagement on file."
Victoria sat back.
The betrayal felt different from Eleanor's.
Eleanor had never pretended to love her.
Malcolm had taught her to drive.
He had attended her graduation.
He had walked her down the aisle because her father was dead.
Julian took her hand.
"We don't know why yet."
"Yes, we do. Money."
Naomi shook her head.
"Maybe not."
She shared another document.
Malcolm had purchased six million dollars of North Crown debt through a personal investment vehicle.
"He wasn't helping Eleanor," Naomi said. "He was betting on the collapse."
Victoria stared at the screen.
"If Vance defaulted, North Crown's assets would become more valuable."
"And if Sterling rescued Vance under terms he influenced, he could profit on both sides."
Julian's anger sharpened.
"Where is he now?"
Naomi checked.
"Sterling headquarters. He called an emergency trustee meeting for ten tomorrow morning."
Victoria stood slowly.
"About what?"
"Your competency."
Julian said, "Absolutely not."
Victoria looked at him.
"I'm going."
"You gave birth four days ago."
"And I am still the voting beneficiary."
"You can appear remotely."
"No. Malcolm spent years teaching me that power disappears when you let other people speak for you. He can hear my voice in the room."
At 9:55 the next morning, Victoria entered Sterling Global headquarters carrying her daughter in a car seat.
Julian walked beside her.
Naomi followed.
Malcolm Sterling waited in the boardroom.
He looked at Victoria with genuine sadness.
"You shouldn't be here."
"Neither should you."
He glanced at the baby.
"This meeting is about protecting her future."
Victoria placed a folder on the table.
"Funny. That's what everyone says right before they try to steal it."
Malcolm's face hardened.
"You don't understand what's coming."
"Then explain it."
He slid a document toward her.
It was not a competency petition.
It was an acquisition offer.
For Vance Industries.
May you like
Signed by Sterling Global.
And dated six months before Victoria ever authorized negotiations.
