The bank book sat on the mahogany table like a grenade. Sixty million dollars–Julian Sterling’s entire safety net, the “Black Sheep” fund his mother had hidden away for him .
William pushed the book back across the table. “I can’t take this, Julian. This is your freedom. If you give this to me, you sever the last tie to your inheritance. Arthur will ensure you never see another dime of Sterling money.”
“I don’t want Sterling money,” Julian said, his voice steady. He looked at Maya, who was sitting beside him, her hand resting on his knee. “I’ve spent my whole life being terrified of my father. I let him dictate my career, my relationships, my self-worth. If this money can stop him from destroying the people who actually care about me… then it’s not a loss. It’s an investment.”
Maya squeezed his hand, her eyes shining with pride. “He’s right, William. We don’t need the penthouse or the trust fund. We have each other.”
Victoria stepped forward, placing a hand on William’s shoulder. “We are at war, William. And in war, you don’t turn away allies.”
William looked at Julian–the man who had delivered his son in a mudslide, the man who was currently homeless because of loyalty to the Crofts. The hesitation in William’s eyes hardened into resolve.
“We don’t do this as a loan,” William said, pulling a contract from his briefcase. He scribbled out a clause and rewrote it. “We do this as an equity buy-in. You aren’t just saving the company, Julian. You’re buying five percent of it. You’re a partner.”
Julian blinked, stunned. “A partner?”
“Sign it,” William commanded, offering the pen. “Before I change my mind.”
Julian signed. The stroke of the pen ended his life as a Sterling prince and began his life as a Croft ally.