Behind Audrey Hughes was a man in a suit and glasses, carrying a briefcase. He appeared to be a lawyer.
Isla Prescott hadn’t noticed when Audrey Hughes arrived, but it seed she had been there for a while.
"Hello, Miss Prescott." Audrey Hughes smiled gently as she walked up to Isla Prescott. "Let’s go in together."
Isla Prescott’s heart pounded. She didn’t even know how Audrey Hughes knew who she was.
"Don’t be afraid."
Audrey Hughes took her by the wrist, a gesture that promised support.
The two of them walked into the hospital room together.
Shane Sterling froze for a mont when he saw Audrey Hughes leading Isla Prescott into the room.
He was surprised that Audrey Hughes had co to see him, but even more surprised by how close she seed with Isla Prescott.
Victor Sterling glanced first at Isla Prescott, then his eyes landed on Audrey Hughes.
"What are you doing here? Haven’t you renounced the mortal world?" Victor Sterling usually put on a fawning air around Audrey Hughes, but ever since learning she had moved into The Serene Peak Monastery, he no longer bothered to hide his disgust for her.
He knew that Claire Chandler was at The Serene Peak Monastery, and that she had been fond of Audrey years ago.
Victor Sterling kept a stable of mistresses and was utterly promiscuous himself, yet he was a puritan at heart when it ca to his wife; he would never permit her to be unfaithful.
In his eyes, Audrey Hughes openly residing in the sa monastery as Claire Chandler was a slap in the face.
"I haven’t renounced the mortal world. The one who has is my son, who lost the woman he loves."
When Audrey Hughes ntioned their son, Ezra Sterling, Victor’s expression didn’t flicker. "So young, and ready to die over a woman. Renouncing the mortal world? Has he ever truly experienced what the mortal world is? What a disgrace!"
"And what is the mortal world? Is it sleeping with as many won as you have?"
"Don’t change the subject and try to sling mud at ."
"I knew it. A man like you only cares about his own reputation. Even if our son really died, you wouldn’t feel the slightest bit of pain." Audrey Hughes glared at Victor Sterling. "But don’t you forget, I warned you. If you dare harm my son, I will drag you down with , even if it costs everything!"
"Harm your son? You an that coward hiding in a monastery? I don’t have ti for that!"
"I’m talking about Sean!" Audrey Hughes looked toward Shane Sterling in the hospital bed, her eyes filled with a resolve he had never seen before. "Sean is my son, too!"
Shane Sterling’s heart suddenly leaped.
He looked at Audrey Hughes.
For the first ti in over a decade, Shane Sterling dared to look directly into Audrey Hughes’s eyes, his own full of emotion.
Audrey Hughes was looking right back at him, her gaze gentle, yet powerful, and filled with unmistakable love.
Shane Sterling had almost forgotten what it was like to be looked at this way by her. ’When was the last ti she looked at like that?’
"So you’ve co to claim your son?" Victor Sterling asked.
"There’s no need to claim him. Sean has always been my son." Audrey Hughes turned and gave a subtle nod to the lawyer she’d brought with her.
The lawyer stepped forward and placed a docunt on the bedside table next to Shane Sterling.
"Young Mr. Shaw, Ms. Audrey Hughes has transferred all of her shares in the Sterling Group—twenty percent of the company—into your na."
Both Shane Sterling and Victor Sterling were stunned.
"Are you insane?"
"You’re afraid." Audrey Hughes smiled faintly. "With the shares Sean already holds, plus mine... he now has more than enough power to challenge you, doesn’t he?"
A flicker of panic crossed Victor Sterling’s eyes.
"I’ve wanted to do this for a long ti," Audrey Hughes said. "I’ve always believed that Sean is far more capable than you in every way. He shouldn’t have to be subordinate to you. He can be President Sterling, not just Young Mr. Shaw."
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