Chapter 7: The Secret About Her Mother

The morning sun shone through the windows of Vance Enterprises, but the boardroom was filled with tension.

Sarah sat at the long table with her back straight. She wore a neat charcoal pantsuit and a silk blouse. She looked confident and ready to fight.

Across from her sat Victoria and her brother, Uncle Marcus, a senior member of the Vance board.

Adrian sat at the head of the table.

He was back in his wheelchair, wearing the same cold expression everyone knew.

No one looking at him would ever believe that only a few hours earlier, he had been standing in front of Sarah in the moonlight.

Sarah was the only one who knew his secret.

Every time their eyes met, she remembered what she had seen.

“Let’s not waste time,” Marcus said.

He threw a thick financial file onto the table.

“Adrian, your decision to put money into this new Vance Fashion House is a serious risk. Sarah’s family company, Lin & Co., went bankrupt last week. She has no money, no powerful family name, and her name is connected to a huge scandal.”

Victoria smiled.

“Exactly. We cannot allow the Vance family’s money to be wasted on a charity case.”

She looked at Sarah.

“Grandfather may have enjoyed her little performance at the textile gala, but the board cares about money. I suggest we immediately take away Sarah’s executive power and put her under Elena’s control.”

Twelve board members stared at Sarah.

They were waiting for her to become nervous.

Instead, Sarah gave a small laugh.

The room became silent.

“You think my background is a financial problem, Aunt Victoria?” Sarah asked calmly.

She opened her silver laptop and pressed a key.

The large screen behind Adrian came alive.

“For the past forty-eight hours, our first Starlight Collection has received more than twelve million dollars in pre-orders.”

The board members stared at the numbers.

Sarah continued.

“And because I secured the exclusive rights to Starlight Brocade, three major European department stores have ended their contracts with Victoria’s fashion brand and decided to work with us instead.”

Marcus's eyes widened.

He could hardly believe the numbers.

“But that is not all,” Sarah said.

She turned toward Marcus.

“While checking the textile accounts under your control, I found something strange.”

Marcus's face changed.

“For the past three years, your division has been paying a company in Panama much more money than it should.”

Sarah looked directly at him.

“That company is registered under your wife’s maiden name.”

Everyone in the room gasped.

Victoria's smile disappeared.

“You....you are accusing a senior board member of a crime!” Marcus shouted.

His face became red with anger.

“Adrian! Control your wife!”

Adrian slowly leaned forward.

He placed his hands together and looked at Marcus.

“My wife answers to no one in this room except me.”

His voice was calm, but there was danger behind every word.

“And her financial investigation is correct.”

Marcus went pale.

“Our legal department has already checked the Panama accounts,” Adrian continued.

“By noon, the authorities will freeze your personal assets while they investigate.”

Marcus fell back into his chair.

He looked terrified.

Adrian looked around the room.

“This meeting is over.”

His voice was cold and final.

“Vance Fashion House will continue to receive full funding. Sarah will keep all her executive power.”

He paused.

“Anyone who wants to challenge her can take the matter to my legal team.”

The board members quickly gathered their things and left the room.

Soon, only Victoria remained.

She stood beside her chair, staring at Sarah with pure hatred.

“You think you’ve won, Sarah?” Victoria whispered.

She leaned across the table.

“You are clever. But Jason and Eleanor still have the biggest weapon against you.”

Sarah's smile disappeared.

Victoria continued.

“Do you really believe your mother died from a simple illness?”

Sarah froze.

“Ask your stepmother about your mother’s medical bills from nine years ago.”

Victoria's eyes were cold.

“Let’s see how long your precious fashion empire survives when the truth destroys you.”

She turned around and stormed out.

The glass doors slammed shut behind her.

Sarah could not move.

Her mother’s death.

Those words kept repeating in her mind.

Her blood turned cold.

She took a step backward and grabbed the edge of the table.

For years, Sarah had believed her mother had died from an illness.

But what if that was not the truth?

Before her thoughts could go any further, she suddenly felt strong arms around her waist.

Sarah gasped.

Adrian had stood up from his wheelchair.

He pulled her gently but firmly against his chest.

He quickly locked the boardroom doors.

Then he turned his body so he was between Sarah and the glass walls.

His arms held her tightly.

“Don't let Victoria’s words get inside your head, Sarah,” Adrian whispered.

His voice was filled with anger and concern.

“I am already investigating your mother's past.”

Sarah looked up at him.

“If Victoria or Eleanor had anything to do with her death, I will destroy everything they have built.”

He gently turned Sarah around to face him.

“For now…”

His dark eyes held hers.

“Look at me.”

Sarah stared at him.

The man she had married because of a contract was no longer just her business partner.

He was protecting her.

He was investigating her mother's death.

And the secret he had hidden about his ability to walk had already changed everything between them.

Their contract marriage was no longer just a business deal.

The line between them had completely disappeared.