Chapter 8: The Family That Killed Her Mother

The heavy boardroom doors felt like they were keeping the rest of the world away.

Inside, Sarah could still smell Adrian’s expensive cologne.

Her heart was beating very fast.

It was not only because of Victoria’s words.

It was also because Adrian was still standing behind her.

He was still on his feet.

“Adrian,” Sarah whispered.

She tried to move away.

“Someone might see you through the blinds. You need to sit down.”

Instead, Adrian held her waist a little tighter for a moment.

Then he slowly released her.

He did not look worried.

He stepped away and calmly fixed his suit jacket.

“The security cameras in this part of the building are protected,” Adrian said.

“They send directly to my private system. No one can see what I don't want them to see.”

He looked at Sarah.

“But you look like you have seen a ghost.”

His voice became serious.

“Are you going to let Victoria win by frightening yourself with a few words?”

Sarah swallowed.

She placed both hands on the table because they were shaking.

“My mother died from sudden heart failure nine years ago,” she said.

“The doctors said it was because of problems caused by her treatment.”

Sarah looked at Adrian.

“But the way Victoria spoke…”

Her eyes filled with fear and anger.

“She made it sound like Eleanor was hiding something about my mother’s medical bills.”

Sarah took a shaky breath.

“Eleanor took control of our family’s money during the same month my mother became sick.”

Her voice trembled.

“What if she stopped buying my mother’s medicine? What if she”

“Don't guess, Sarah,” Adrian interrupted.

His voice was calm, but his eyes became cold.

“Guessing will only make you careless.”

He moved toward his wheelchair and sat down.

The mechanical sound of the chair turning on reminded Sarah that Adrian had returned to his public image.

“I have already ordered my private investigation team to find your mother's old medical records from St. Jude’s Hospital.”

Sarah stared at him.

“Every bill, every medical receipt, and every bank payment Eleanor made during that time will be on my desk tonight.”

Adrian moved his wheelchair closer.

He reached for Sarah’s hand.

His hand was warm.

The touch made Sarah feel a little calmer.

“Right now, your job is to focus on your fashion business,” he said.

“Victoria wants to distract you.”

Sarah looked at him.

“The international fabric shipment will arrive at the warehouse in two hours. If you are not there to check the shipment yourself, Victoria may find a way to damage the Starlight Brocade.”

Sarah took a deep breath.

The fear in her mind slowly became clearer.

Adrian was right.

She could not allow anger and fear to control her.

“I’m going to the warehouse now,” Sarah said.

One hour later, a black Rolls-Royce stopped outside a large, heavily guarded warehouse owned by Vance Logistics.

Sarah stepped out of the car.

She held her portfolio tightly against her chest.

As she walked toward the loading area, she noticed a silver sports car parked where it was not allowed.

Her stomach tightened.

She knew that car.

Inside the large warehouse, several huge wooden crates stood near the loading area.

They had Italian customs stamps on them.

And standing beside the crates was Jason.

He was shouting at the warehouse manager.

“I don't care about the main branch's order!” Jason yelled.

“I am still a Vance! My department has the right to inspect any textile shipment that comes into this company!”

The manager looked nervous but did not move.

“I'm sorry, Mr. Jason, but I can't allow that.”

He pointed toward the crates.

“Director Sarah Vance is the only person allowed to approve this shipment.”

“Director Sarah?”

Jason laughed bitterly.

“She is a fraud!”

He pointed angrily.

“She is a poor assistant who slept with my brother so she could steal my family's company!”

“Keep my name out of your mouth, Jason.”

Sarah's voice echoed through the warehouse.

Jason quickly turned around.

The smug look on his face disappeared.

His eyes filled with anger.

He walked toward Sarah with his fists tightly closed.

“Sarah! You think you're untouchable now, don't you?”

He pointed at her.

“You walk around with Adrian’s guards and act like you own this empire.”

“You ruined Chloe!”

“Her father wants to sue my mother, and the board is angry with me because of your investigation!”

Sarah did not move.

Her two security guards immediately stepped in front of her.

Their hands rested near their weapons.

“You did that to yourselves,” Sarah said calmly.

“You broke into my studio and stole my mother's designs.”

She looked directly at Jason.

“If you don't move away from my crates right now, I will have the guards remove you for trespassing.”

Jason looked at the guards.

Then he looked back at Sarah.

A strange smile slowly appeared on his face.

“You think Adrian is your hero?”

Sarah said nothing.

“You think he really cares about you or your dead mother?”

Jason laughed.

“Wake up, Sarah.”

“He is only using you to make sure he gets his grandfather's inheritance.”

Then Jason's smile became even colder.

“And speaking of your mother…”

Sarah's heart started beating faster.

“My mother told me what happened nine years ago.”

Jason stepped closer.

“Do you really think Eleanor simply forgot to pay your mother's insurance before her final surgery?”

Sarah's face went pale.

“Eleanor didn't have the money,” Jason continued.

“But do you know who did?”

Sarah stared at him.

“Old Master Vance.”

Her eyes widened.

“Your father begged the Vance family for a loan when your mother was sick.”

Jason paused.

“And Adrian's mother was the one who personally refused it.”

Sarah felt as if the floor had moved beneath her.

Her breath caught.

The Vance family?

Did they really have something to do with her mother's death?

“You're lying,” Sarah whispered.

Her hands shook badly.

Jason gave a small laugh.

“Am I?”

He slowly walked backward toward his car.

“Ask your billionaire husband why his mother's signature appears on the letter refusing your father's request for money.”

Sarah could barely breathe.

Jason opened his car door.

“You married into the family that killed your mother, Sarah.”

He smiled.

“Enjoy your blood money.”

The car engine roared.

Jason sped away from the warehouse.

Sarah stood completely still beneath the bright lights.

Her chest rose and fell quickly.

Her mind was filled with one terrible thought.

Had she married the family responsible for her mother's death?