Three years passed[cite: 1]. In the high-society circles of Boston, the tragic drowning of Clara Sterling and her infant son on the family yacht had long since become a forgotten piece of news[cite: 1]. The official police report had ruled it an accidental slipping during bad weather, signed off by Evelyn Sterling's expensive legal team[cite: 1].
Inside the grand ballroom of the Sterling Manor, golden chandeliers cast a warm light over hundreds of wealthy guests gathered for the annual Sterling Enterprise Charity Gala[cite: 1].
Evelyn: Welcome, everyone! Tonight, we celebrate the merger of our real estate empire with the Vance Logistics Group!
Evelyn stood at the top of the marble staircase in a emerald green gown, raising a glass of champagne as guests clapped[cite: 1]. Beside her stood Marcus, looking pale and hollow, his eyes fixed on the floor[cite: 1].
Guest 1: Marcus has never been the same since his first wife died at sea, has he?
Guest 2: Can you blame him? But Evelyn made sure the family trust fund stayed intact[cite: 1]. That’s all that matters to these billionaires[cite: 1].
Evelyn: And now, I would like to introduce the anonymous donor who purchased forty percent of our company stock this morning! Please welcome Miss Clara Vance!
The heavy oak doors at the back of the ballroom swung open[cite: 1]. A tall, stunning woman walked inside wearing a dark red silk dress and diamond earrings[cite: 1]. Her dark hair was styled in soft curls, and her posture was radiating power[cite: 1]. Beside her walked a healthy three-year-old boy in a crisp navy suit, holding a soft blue blanket in his small hand[cite: 1].
Marcus looked up, and his glass of champagne slipped from his fingers, shattering onto the marble floor[cite: 1].
Marcus: Clara...?
Evelyn: What is the meaning of this?! Who let this woman inside my home?!
Clara: You don't recognize your main investor, Evelyn? Or did you think I was still at the bottom of the ocean?