CHAPTER 42Nova Sterling Point Of View“Congratulations sweetheart.” You just became the richest hybrid in history.” Liam kicks open a service elevator, his tie flapping widely as he stands in front of it.“You own fifty-two percent now,” Vaughn flings a digital document into the air pointing at the name displayed on the screen: NOVA STERLING “That key wasn't just for show. It transferred every share Lysander stole from your mother.” Suddenly, an explosion blast. We managed to escape from Sterling Tower's sublevels, right into the specimen vault room Liam had mentioned earlier. As we fall, my silver claws wrap around us protectively covering us while slicing through steel cables, clearing them from our pathway. We land on the ground in a shower of dust and electric sparks. Before the dust clears off, Vaughn projects another digital document into the air displaying a shareholder ledger that glows blood-red. Kieran staggers up from the wreckage, his weak ribs cracking audibly. “This
CHAPTER 41Nova Sterling Point Of ViewHold tight to your seats.” Liam echoes as the jet engines scream, tires screeching against the tarmac. My heart slams against my ribs as the plane vibrates as if tearing apart. I grip the seat as the jet jerks to a stop while watching black SUVs of some unknown gunmen rally across the runway.“Change of plans,” Liam cries, twisting the controls. The plane jerks violently, sending Vaughn's briefcase flying open. A silver key slid across the floor, glowing blue as it slipped towards me.Daniella kicks the emergency exit. “Everyone, get into the Limo! Now!” The unknown gunmen started shooting. We ran through gunfire, my fingers closing around the burning key.Vaughn's tech glove projects a digital map as we drive into the bulletproof car. “Let's head to the Sterling Tower. Its walls are gold-plated, and their bullets can't penetrate.”Liam moves the accelerator as the car drives fast. “Father expects us in Berlin. Let's give him a surprise homecomi
CHAPTER 40Nova Sterling Point Of View“Remember, we want them terrified, not dead yet.” Daniella adjusts the wire hidden under my diamond choker. The black limousine drives through the iron gates of Sterling Tower, its windows reflecting the blood-red auction banners. Liam straightens his cufflinks beside me, his usual smirk is now replaced by cold focus. “Elder Kingsley's already moved three batches of goods off the main floor. Whatever he's hiding, it's in the vault.”The car door opens, camera light covers us, flashing like stars.I step out in a dress of liquid silver, the exact shade of my claws. The crowd's noise dies. Vaughn stands at the top of the marble steps, his father's hand heavy on his shoulder. Mr Kingsley's smile didn't reach his shark eyes. “Miss Sterling. How unexpected.”Liam offers his arm. “She has an invitation.” The lie drips like honey. I crashed this party sixteen years ago as a starving orphan. But tonight, I’ll burn it to the ground. The ballroom feels
CHAPTER 39Nova Sterling Point Of View“Good old days.” Daniella kicks the Orphanage chapel door open as moonlight paints her face in blue and red rays - a reflection from the broken dyed glass.The air reeks of smoke, incense and rotten wood, exactly like when we were kids. “You remember this shithole?” She stomped on a decayed church bench, and the wood broke and exploded. I rub my arms on the door of the discipline room. “Where Sister Margaret locked us in for stealing chocolate bars.”“Not just us." Daniella drops to her knees, digging her finger under a loose floorboard. Black claws sprout from her skin, transforming her hands. My heart goes wild, pounding like a drumline in my chest. “What the actual fuck?”“Always had these,” her voice echoes deep and thick. “But the night they took you?” She pulled out a yellow photo. “That's when I promised I'd get strong enough to skin them alive.” The photo showed a five-year-old me strapped to a metal table. Vaughn's silver-haired fathe
CHAPTER 38Nova Sterling Point Of View The private elevator to the Kingsleys' Tower penthouse smells like lemon polish and gunpowder. Daniella adjusts the wire hidden in my bra strap, the one recording everything. “Remember, we want him to admit to the lab experiments first.” Liam checks his gold watch, which matches the cufflinks he gave me. “The Board meeting starts in forty minutes. It's a perfect time for a family chat.”The doors open directly into Kingsleys’ Empire office. The man himself stands next to the windows, his reflection staring back at him. His tailored suit cost more than my childhood orphanage. “Nova Sterling.” He doesn't turn around. “I wondered when you'd come crawling back.”My heels click across the marble as I approach. “I don't crawl.” I drop the Kingsley Pharmaceutical shares onto his desk. “I conquer.”Mr Kingsley finally turns. His ice-blue eyes are identical to Vaughn's but lack warmth. His eyes turn to Liam. “You traitorous bastard.”Liam smiles with r
CHAPTER 37Nova Sterling Point Of View“You still don't understand your true inheritance.” Liam echoes as we descend the staircase. The silver glow along the stair rails vibrates with my heartbeat as my fingers brush the ancient stone walls. Liam walks ahead of us. “You’ve got hidden treasures you know nothing about.” He turns to me, fixing his eyes on mine. “Those shares everyone's been fighting over? They're not just stocks, they're businesses belonging to you.”Kieran's claws scrape against the wall beside me. “Enough riddles, bastard. Where does this lead?”Liam's smile makes our hidden bond mark burn. “To the real boardroom, of course. I'd show you all the secrets I uncovered - the reason my father killed me.The underground chamber smells of old money and older magic. Liam spreads his arms as we enter the circular room. His emerald cufflinks glow blue as they catch the light from the massive stock ticker embedded in the ceiling. “Welcome to the original exchange, where the firs