Chapter 10 - The Sterling Empire|
The next morning, I sat across from Eleanor in the grand boardroom on the 80th floor of the Sterling Tower. Despite being heavily pregnant, I was absolutely determined to learn the family business.
“The Sterling Group controls real estate, biotechnology, and global finance,” Eleanor said, pointing to a holographic display mapping our corporate network. “But to sit in this chair, you don't just need to know how to make money. You need to know how to be ruthless.”
“I’m ready to learn,” I said, opening a thick dossier on the mahogany table.
“Good. Your first test: The South Port Reconstruction Project. Valued at two billion dollars. You will act as the Chief Operating Officer for this project.”
I looked at her, stunned. “You’re handing me a project this massive on my first day?”
“The world out there is waiting for you to trip so they can prove you’re just a lucky orphan. Use this project to shut their mouths permanently,” Eleanor’s eyes gleamed with absolute expectation.
I threw myself into the work with a manic obsession. I read documents late into the night, hosted virtual conferences, and learned how to aggressively negotiate with contractors. However, things didn't go smoothly for long.
By the end of my second week, one of our biggest steel suppliers abruptly terminated their contract, threatening to paralyze the entire project timeline.
“Who is behind this?” I asked my assistant, frowning at the breach-of-contract report.
“Miss, it’s the Blackwood Group. They bought out our supplier and unilaterally tore up the agreement.”
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Blackwood. Sterling’s oldest and most venomous rival. And according to my intelligence reports, Julian had just been hired as a senior advisor to the Blackwood heir, a man infamous for his dirty tactics.
They were trying to use me as the weak link to strike at my mother.
