The top floor of the Sterling Tower overlooked the glittering city skyline. Inside the luxurious penthouse, white marble floors reflected the light from an enormous crystal chandelier while expensive artwork decorated every wall.
To outsiders, it looked like the perfect home.
Inside, it was anything but peaceful.
Twenty-four-year-old Claire Dawson knelt on the marble floor, desperately scrubbing away a pool of blood with a white cloth.
Her lower lip was split.
A fresh bruise darkened one side of her face.
Tears rolled down her cheeks as she whispered,
"I'm sorry..."
Although she had done nothing wrong.
Above her, on a magnificent glass spiral staircase, stood Vanessa Sterling.
Dressed in a champagne-colored silk gown, Vanessa calmly sipped tea while watching Claire struggle.
A faint smile crossed her lips.
"She forgot her place."
Several household staff lowered their heads.
No one dared speak.
Everyone knew Vanessa controlled the Sterling household while her husband traveled overseas on business.
Suddenly, the penthouse doors opened.
A tall man wearing a tailored grey overcoat entered with a security guard close behind him.
His name was Adrian Hale.
He was the newly appointed legal adviser to the Sterling family's international investment group.
The moment Adrian stepped inside, his eyes fell on Claire.
He noticed the blood.
The torn cloth.
The trembling hands.
His expression hardened instantly.
He slowly walked toward Vanessa.
His voice remained calm.
But every word carried unmistakable anger.
"Did you touch her?"
Vanessa laughed dismissively.
"She's only a maid."
Adrian looked back at Claire.
She couldn't even lift her head.
Without another word, he removed his phone from his coat pocket.
He pressed a single contact.
"John."
The line connected immediately.
Adrian never looked away from Vanessa.
His next sentence froze the room.
"Freeze every account in her name."
The teacup slipped in Vanessa's shaking hand.
"What?"
She stared at Adrian in disbelief.
"You can't be serious."
He quietly ended the call.
Then walked over to Claire.
Kneeling beside her, he gently lifted her chin.
His voice became softer.
"We're not finished."
No one in the penthouse understood what was happening.
But Adrian knew a secret Vanessa had spent years hiding.