Chapter 70
Chapter 70:
“Good tea, Victor,” she said simply. “It is all about the tea p>
The automatic doors of the hotel slid open, and Ursula stepped out onto the sidewalk, her mind still reeling. She fumbled for her phone, her fingers shaking as she dialed a number.
“Did you sign it?” A sharp voice answered. It was Lance, Sterling Thorne’s assistant, fishing for information.
“It wasn’t me,” Ursula hissed, glancing back at the hotel entrance as if fearing Aurora might materialize and turn her into a toad. “Professor Yinn signed it. Immediately. Without reading it p>
“What?” Lance’s voice cracked. “That’s impossible. Yinn rejects everyone. What did Pulse offer? More equity p>
“They offered Aurora Vance,” Ursula said, her voice trembling. “Lance, you need to tell Sterling… he has made a grave error. She isn’t just an ex-wife. Yinn knows her. Yinn treats her like royalty. I don’t know what history they have, but it’s deep p>
There was a silence on the other end. Then Lance laughed, a dry, dismissive sound.
“Ursula, you’re overreacting. Sterling said she’s desperate for cash. She probably just charmed the old lady with some sob story. Don’t worry about it p>
He hung up.
Ursula stared at the phone. “Idiots,” she muttered. “You are all walking into a buzzsaw p>
High above the chaotic streets, in the climate-controlled silence of Thorne Industries, Sterling Thorne stood by the floor-to-ceiling window. The city looked like a circuit board from up here, and he felt like the operator. Lance entered the office, holding a tablet.
“Sir, the guest list for the engagement party is finalized,” Lance said, deciding not to mention Ursula’s frantic warning. Sterling was in a good mood; why ruin it?
Sterling turned. He took the tablet, scrolling through the names. Senators. Tech moguls. Models. It was a list designed to provoke envy. But one name was missing.
𝙍𝖊𝗅𝗂𝖆𝖇𝖑𝖊 𝗌𝗈𝗎𝗋𝖼𝖾:
“Where is she?” Sterling asked, frowning.
“Who, sir p>
“Aurora,” Sterling said, as if it were obvious.
Lance hesitated. “Sir, you… you wanted to invite her? To your engagement party p>
Sterling pulled a gold fountain pen from his pocket. He took the physical master list from Lance’s other hand and scribbled Aurora Vance in the VIP section.
“Of course,” Sterling said with a smirk. “She needs to see what she walked away from. She needs to see Isabella wearing the ring that should have been hers. It is closure, Lance. For her p>
Lance looked at the name. It looked like a landmine on the page.
“Sir, I don’t think she will come,” Lance said gently. “She… she blocked your number p>
Sterling laughed. “That is just a game. She is playing hard to get. She is probably sitting in that rented fortress of hers right now, burning through whatever settlement cash she has left to keep up appearances. If I send an invite, she will come. She will probably make a scene, cry a little, maybe throw a drink p>
He adjusted his tie in the reflection of the window, admiring his own jawline.
“Let security know,” Sterling instructed. “If she shows up screaming, let her in. I want everyone to see how unstable she is without me p>