Three years ago, when Jeff first met Jessica Harper, she was just a skinny high-school kid—awkward, innocent, no curves to speak of.
He'd always treated her like a little sister. Nothing more. No stray thoughts.
But lately, Brandon had been sending Jeff private photos of Jessica on his phone—provocative shots, the kind that made it impossible to stay calm. Close-ups, lingerie, poses that left nothing to the imagination.
Now Jeff couldn't even look at her without those images flashing in his mind. It made him feel dirty, wrong.
Desiring Emily's body? That had always been natural, legal, expected between husband and wife.
But Jessica? That was off-limits. Inappropriate on every level.
So, Jeff ignored her completely and walked out of Sterling Heights Villa.
The entire Harper family followed him to the gate, standing in a line until the Maybach disappeared down the drive. Only then did they turn back inside.
In the car, Jeff immediately dialed Butler Vance.
"Butler Vance."
"Young Master, how may I serve you?"
"Is your grandson still in the capital? I'd like to set up a blind date for him tomorrow night."
"Yes, sir—he's in Washington, D.C. I'll have him flown to Riverforge immediately."
"Good."
Jeff hadn't agreed to dinner with Emily out of lingering affection or a desire to reconcile.
He'd hidden his identity for three years. That secrecy had been unfair to her.
So, he would compensate her—properly.
Introduce her to a young man from a family worth nearly ten billion dollars: Butler Vance's grandson.
Though Vance was technically a servant in the Sterling household, his personal influence, wealth, and connections far surpassed anything the Harpers could dream of.
His grandson was an excellent match. If Emily accepted, she'd still marry into serious money.
In Jeff's mind, Emily only wanted him back because of the wealth and status.
No need for drama. She liked money? Fine—he'd give her a richer option than Ryan.
The one drawback: Vance's grandson was disabled—paralyzed from the waist down, unable to perform sexually.
But wasn't that perfect for Emily? She doesn't want people touching her anyways.
Three years without ever sharing a bed proved she didn't care about that side of marriage.
With that settled, the Maybach soon pulled into the gated Rose Garden community.
"President Sterling! President Sterling!"
Last night it had been Sophia and Emily blocking his way.
Tonight, another woman stood in the headlights.
Jeff lowered the window. Laura Caldwell, Ryan's mother.
Persistent didn't begin to cover it. She'd waited all day at Horizon Group without food or water. Now she'd staked out his home.
"Mrs. Caldwell, go home. There's nothing to discuss."
Laura's voice cracked with desperation. "President Sterling, please—I beg you. Just five minutes."
Jeff shook his head. But seeing her on the verge of tears, he relented slightly. "Come in."
He didn't let her ride in the car. She had to jog behind the Maybach like a servant.
At the villa's first-floor living room, Jeff didn't offer tea or a seat. He sat on the sofa, arms crossed.
"Speak. What do you want?"
Laura didn't waste time. "President Sterling, only after meeting you yesterday, did I fully understand what happened between Ryan, you, and Emily."
"That foolish boy knew she was married—yet he still pursued her. He deserved the beating we gave him at home!"
"But according to both Ryan and Emily, nothing physical ever happened. She remains… untouched."
Jeff's eyes flashed. "Don't play games. I saw your son and my ex-wife walking into a hotel together—with my own eyes."
"Yes—yes, no actual intimacy occurred. But the intent was wrong. Still… you can't place all the blame on Ryan. Emily is materialistic, status-obsessed. If she hadn't believed you were useless, she never would've entertained him."
Jeff snorted. "Emily's fate is my business. I'll handle her my way. Don't try shifting everything onto her."
Laura's anxiety spiked. She knew neither her son nor Emily would escape punishment.
She asked directly: "President Sterling… how do you plan to punish my son?"
Jeff leaned back, considering. "I haven't decided. Maybe I'll consult Brother Gage and Master Liu. They'll probably suggest castration."
Laura's face drained of color. Her knees buckled; she dropped to the floor in front of him.
"President Sterling—Ryan is still so young! He has no children yet—please, I beg you, don't do this!"
Tears streamed down her face. She played the grieving mother perfectly.
(What Jeff didn't know: before coming here, Laura had already arranged multiple women for Ryan. After last night, one or more might already be carrying his child.)
A woman of her stature—elegant, respected in Riverforge business circles—kneeling before him made Jeff deeply uncomfortable.
He admired her poise, her grace, her composure. But he didn't reach down to help her up.
If she was willing to kneel for her son's mistakes, let her kneel.
"Then… maybe just cut off a finger?" Jeff asked coolly.
Laura stayed on her knees, voice trembling. "President Sterling—our bodies, our hair, everything comes from our parents. Harming even a finger is harming the family line. Please—have mercy. Don't hurt him."
Jeff's expression hardened. "I knew it. You don't want him to pay any price at all."
"Your son crossed me—the most powerful man in Riverforge now. Everyone knows what he did with my ex-wife. If I let him walk away unscathed, he'll strut around the city like nothing happened. How do I hold my head up? How do I maintain respect?"
Laura nodded fervently. She couldn't argue.
Jeff Sterling, Chairman of Horizon Group, was untouchable. The scandal had spread like wildfire after his identity leaked. Face was everything.
For a full three minutes, Laura stayed silent, head bowed.
Jeff wondered if she'd fainted.
Then, slowly, she reached up and unbuttoned her blazer. She slipped it off, revealing the silk blouse beneath.
"President Sterling," she said quietly, voice steady despite the tears, "I'm willing to help you save face."