Chapter <b>10 </b>
Shortly after Harper left, I grabbed my purse to get some fresh air.
The moment I opened the door, several bodyguards in ck suits were standing there waiting.
“Miss, Mr. Sterling requests your presence.”
Looking at this setup, I knew I didn’t have a choice in the matter.
The coffee shop had been cleared outpletely.
Marcus sat alone by the window, sunlight softening his sharp features just slightly.
He pushed atte across the table toward me, his tone casually familiar.
“Your favorite. Three sugars.”
I didn’t touch it, just watched him quietly.
“You didn’t ask me here for a family reunion.”
After all, he despised me.
Otherwise, why would he have stabbed me in the back?
My mind drifted back to that day years ago.
When he’d ruthlessly cut me out of everything.
I’d demanded <i>to </i>know why, practically screaming at him.
Even though we weren’t blood rtives, I’d treated him like my little brother for years.
When Dad first brought him home and the other family members bullied and mocked him, I was the one who stood between him and them, every single time.
<b>I </b>couldn’t understand it.
He’d stood in what used to be Dad’s office, silhouetted against the floor–to–ceiling windows.
“There’s no deep reason. Winners and losers, that’s all.”
“Sage<b>, </b>just focus on being Mrs. Ashworth. Don’t worry–every penny of the dowry Dad promised you will be honored. But the Sterling Industries shares… those stay here.”
His expression had been so indifferent.
13:26
Hell Yeah<b>, </b>Forget the Other Woman, My Smart House Was Cheating On Me<b>! </b>
<b>32.99</b><b>% </b>
Chapter <b>10 </b>
I couldn’t read him at all. I just <b>felt </bpletely frozen inside.
“The Sterling family raised a real ungrateful bastard!”
I’d thrown those words at him and never looked back.
Later, when I married Camden, I used every connection I had–even threw in my own dowry–to help him seed.
I wanted to build the Ashworth empire up, to prove to Marcus that Sage Sterling could thrive anywhere.
Marcus smiled softly. “Sister’s still as sharp as ever.”
My expression went cold. I grabbed my purse and started to leave.
His next words stopped me in my tracks.
“Camden doesn’t seem to treat you very well.”
He took a sip of his coffee. “Sister, your taste in men leaves something to be desired.”
“If Dad knew about this, he’d probably be heartbroken. Especially since if you’d just listened to him back then…”
I spun around and grabbed thette, throwing it right in his face.
“Don’t you dare mention my father!”
Marcus looked stunned.
Coffee dripped down his face and onto his expensive suit. He lookedpletely disheveled.
His bodyguards started forward to restrain me, but he waved them off.
He let out a lowugh and stood up.
“Let’s discuss a business proposition, sister.”
I stared at him coldly,
He smiled back, his beautiful eyes meeting mine directly,
That’s exactly when Camden arrived, having gotten word of our meeting.
He walked in just in time to see me ring at Marcus with my hand raised to strike.
His face changed instantly as he rushed over and yanked me away.
“Sage, stop acting crazy!”
He positioned himself protectively in front of Marcus, ring at me furiously.
Levee Was Cheating On Me!
<b>33.19</b><b>% </b>
I didn’t even bother rolling my eyes at him. I just turned and walked out.
Behind me, I could hear Camden’s voice–apologizing profusely to Marcus in the most servile tone, then cursing me
out.
I kept my eyes down.
From what I knew, Ashworth Holdings had been having problems with several key projectstely.
They desperately needed an injection of capital to stay afloat.
And Sterling Industries was returning to the domestic market, nning to break into medical equipment manufacturing.
It was the perfect opportunity for Ashworth Holdings.
I nced back.
Camden, who was always so arrogant with me, was practically bowing and scraping, more obsequious than I’d ever
seen him.
Across from him sat that young, aristocratic man, chin slightly raised, maintaining his usual cool distance.
As if sensing my gaze, Marcus suddenly looked over at me.
He blinked once and smiled.
I looked away.
The car window rolled up.
Cutting off the viewpletely.