I Married The Disabled Billionaire Then My Family Begged Me To Come Back Chapter 03
Mrs. Sterling
The next morning, the Hale family holds a press conference.
They trot out the old “hospital mix-up” story and announce that I am the real Hale daughter.
They also announce that I will marry Adrian Sterling.
The media goes wild.
Everyone knows Adrian Sterling is paralyzed now.
Everyone can see exactly what the Hales are doing.
They just got their real daughter back, and they’re already feeding her to a ruined marriage.
Nobody’s that stupid. The rumors are everywhere.
Even Hale Holdings’ stock takes a hit.
The lawyer puts the share transfer papers in front of me.
I read every line, then sign my name.
The second that fifteen percent is mine, I have what I came for.
As for whether the Hale family lives or dies?
Not my problem.
The press conference ends, and I roll my suitcase toward the exit.
Fast footsteps come after me.
“Claire, stop!”
Silas catches my wrist. His face is tight with anger.
“Do you have to be this heartless?”
“Do you have any idea how humiliated Stella was because of you?”
I yank my hand free.
“What does her humiliation have to do with me?”
“Silas, are you okay?”
“Why are you chasing me down like a lunatic?”
He takes a deep breath like he’s trying very hard to be patient.
Then he gives me that fake gentle look I used to fall for.
“Claire, I know you’re mad.”
“You’re mad because I chose Stella and left you.”
“But can you be smart for once?”
“You’re taking those shares and marrying a cripple. You’ll throw your whole life away.”
“Adrian Sterling has always had a nasty temper.”
“Now that he’s paralyzed, he’ll only get worse.”
“How long do you think you’ll last in that house?”
“I chose Stella because she has Hale connections. She can help Cole Group.”
“As for you…”
He pauses. His voice softens.
“Just go back and apologize to Stella. Fix that mess you made at the press conference.”
“If the Sterlings give you any grief later, for old times’ sake… I can still help you out on the down low.”
I look at him. This man grew up with me.
He once said he’d only ever love me.
Now he sells me out the second money and power hit the table.
It makes me sick.
“Silas Cole, stop acting like some tragic hero.”
I cut him off with a cold smile.
“You chose Stella because you think she’s useful and the Hales are willing to back her.”
“Don’t dress it up as anything else.”
“And help me?”
I look him up and down.
“Worry about yourself. A man who climbs up on women’s backs…”
“You really think you get to lecture me?”
His face twists. I hit the nerve.
“You…”
Before he can finish, a black Maybach pulls up in front of us.
The Sterling crest on the door shuts everyone up.
A bodyguard steps out and opens the door for me. I get in without looking back.
In the rearview mirror, I see Silas standing there with a dark, twisted face, which puts me in a much better mood.
The car rolls into the Sterling estate.
Servants and guards line the path, heads down.
The whole place feels cold and heavy.
The butler leads me into the main house.
He opens a pair of thick dark wooden doors.
“Miss Hale, Mr. Sterling is waiting inside.”
He leaves fast and shuts the door behind him.
The bedroom is dark. Heavy curtains block out most of the light.
It takes my eyes a few seconds to adjust.
Then I see him.
Adrian Sterling sits in a wheelchair in the middle of the room.
Half his face is hidden in shadow.
Even sitting down, he feels dangerous.
“The Hales must have a death wish.”
His voice is ice cold.
“They really sent me some girl they dragged back from nowhere. Just to insult me.”
I don’t answer. My eyes are on his legs.
When the door closed behind me, I saw it clearly.
Under his dark suit pants, his calf muscle tightened for one tiny second.
A reflex.
I know acupuncture. I know nerves.
Someone with dead nerves does not react like that.
So his legs aren’t crippled at all.
His nervous system is fully intact.
My heart gives one hard kick.
A crazy thought forms in my head.
I smile.
I pick up the cup of steaming black tea on the coffee table.
And pour it straight over his thighs.