Ch10 - Sterling’s families

As the car drove into the Sterling family’s estate in the 16th arrondissement, the sun was sinking beyond the horizon.

Passing through the charcoal-black metal gates felt like stepping three centuries back in time.

Grace had been to this villa before—though calling it a villa hardly did it justice. It was more like a grand town mansion. She had seen plenty of extravagant countryside estates, but even she had to admit, this one was almost excessive. And the fact that it sat just thirty-five minutes from the Louvre made it even more impressive.

A four-meter-high ivory-colored wall separated the bustling city streets from this private world. As they drove further in, a symmetrical, two-story Rococo-style building stretched out before them.

The soft beige façade, adorned with intricate relief carvings, glowed warmly under the golden sunset. It was opulent, but not ostentatious—giving the illusion of stepping straight into the era of Louis XV.

This estate had been declared a historical lan