Ashes Of Sterling - A Tale Of Revenge

I entered through the doors of the most prestigious architectural firm in the country, Ashford Global Architecture. Not anyone can walk through here, not anyone can get close to the family who stands behind it... But no one had as powerful reasons to do whatever it took to be here as I did.I wasn't here because they were the best, or because I had any interest in making them or myself any richer. I was here for one reason, and one reason only.Revenge.Three years ago, my brother walked these hallways, as a brilliant young architect he presented valuable projects. His name was popping in all the right places and just when he thought he had made all of his dreams come true they took it all away from him framing him for a crime he didn't commit. The building they were constructing collapsed leaving many casualties and they signed it all to be his fault. The evidence was planted, the case rushed, and the entire city turned against him. My brother was innocent but unable to prove it, his

As I return to my penthouse I lock the door behind me and exhale, pulling off my heels and setting them neatly by the wall. My hands are steady now. My face has returned to neutral.I move to the kitchen and slide open the middle drawer. Beneath the cutlery tray, I lift the false bottom and pull out the folder I’ve studied every night for three years.Blueprints. Witness statements. Altered records. Surveillance footage.And photos.One of Jackson, holding a rolled-up set of designs, laughing with someone off-frame. The day before the collapse. My throat tightens.I flip to the employee files. A red pen has circled several names.Lucas Ashford.Derek Ashford.Benjamin LockwoodMark Duke – Senior Site Manager.Clara Hale – Executive Assistant.I circle Clara’s name again, this time pressing harder.She was supposedly the last person to handle the site inspection report. She must have seen whose signature was on the papers, yet she claimed Jackson gave them to her unsigned, told her not

I agreed to the housewarming party because I wanted my enemies in my territory. I managed to avoid Benjamin at the company, keeping to myself, working in my office and getting settled in the penthouse while managing Derek on a space but still short enough leash to be pulled back with just one longing look. I need dirt on Benjamin, and for that, I need not his trust but his interest in me... and his interest in me will be enough to make Derek a bit harder on my hook. With him, the sense of competition is key.I spent the afternoon making the apartment look lived in, just enough personal clutter to look natural, just enough curated chaos to make it seem unplanned. The kind of space that whispers wealth, charm, and mystery without ever raising its voice.By 7:00 PM, the first knock came. The nice young couple from downstairs were the first to arrive, she brought cookies while he handed me the bottle of wine. I didn't even get the chance to close the door when another person showed up and

Getting into this Club wasn't for everyone; sometimes even having money wasn't enough. You had to drop the right name at the entrance, and I have the best one to give them. "Derek Ashford," I say to the woman up front while I adjust the sports bag on my shoulder. "He is expecting me.""Your name, please." She says as I pull out my ID."Isabella Sterling." The woman behind the reception desk studies my ID like it might bite her. Polished nails, perfect posture, and a practiced expression that says she’s been trained to spot the kind of people who don’t belong. Too bad for her, I do.Her eyes flicker from the ID to her screen. She types something, pauses, then nods once, just barely.“Yes, Ms. Sterling. Mr. Ashford left instructions. You’re expected.”Of course I am.She stands, gives me a polite but not warm smile, and gestures toward the main path that curves toward the courts.“Please follow the walkway past the garden lounge. The tennis courts are at the far end. Locker rooms are on

Partying was not my strong suit.Ever.But this was for a good reason. Getting closer to Aurora. I needed to earn her trust for more than one reason. She is, in fact, the easiest way into the heart of this poisonous family, and since Derek loved his sister so much, she was also a weapon I could use to manipulate him. I just need to be the best sister in law a girl could want.Before leaving, I check my other phone. Valerie sent a video of Jackson eating grapes and blueberries while they tried to escape him. There was a smile on his face. Good, especially if that means he is not missing me terribly, the way I miss him.When I found out I was pregnant, I didn't know how I felt. I hated his father even before I knew he was in my womb. I was in a state of nothingness as I lost my father and then my brother. Hate was the only thing going through my veins, but then Valerie took me to my first appointment. I heard his heart, so strong, so ready to take on the world... in that moment, it didn