Alexander Sterling stood by the second-floor window of Sterling Manor. He stared down at the lotus pond below. The water was still, but something felt ready to break.
He hadn't gone to the office this morning. Instead, he came straight home.
Today was Tuesday. The day the Sterling family had set for the division of assets.
Yesterday afternoon, Alexander received the documents Lillian had sent. Though shocked, he didn't panic.
Truth be told, the position of Sterling Group's president meant little to him. He held it out of duty, not desire.
When his older brother Thomas died suddenly, his nephew Ethan was too young. His mother was too old. He had no choice but to step up.
Even now, people whispered behind his back. They called him cold-blooded and ruthless. They said he had traded blood for the Sterling Group's success.
But no one knew what it was like to stand alone among hungry wolves. One wrong move, and he would be torn apart. His family would suffer too.
Behind him was an abyss. In front of him were predators. To survive, he had to fight.
Now, he faced that same choice again.
If he wanted to keep the peace with his sister, he had to give in. But there was only one path forward, and no turning back.
Lillian had already shown her hand. She demanded what she wanted openly. Alexander knew that even if he agreed, their mother never would.
But if Lillian didn't get what she wanted, she would go straight to Eleanor. She wouldn't hesitate to fight their mother.
Then it wouldn't just be a family matter. The entire Sterling Group would be at risk.
He hesitated. Not because he feared the evidence Lillian had gathered. But because he didn't want to destroy what was left of their sibling bond.
Over the years, he had built a solid foundation within the Sterling family. Even without the family name, his position in the group was unshakable.
But if things escalated, both sides would lose. That wasn't what he wanted.
Last night, around eleven, he called his brother-in-law Nathan Cole. He asked Nathan to come to his office.
Nathan had been respectful and polite. But Alexander knew better than to trust appearances.
So he didn't waste time. He got straight to the point.
He asked Nathan to persuade Lillian to back down. Their mother would never agree to give away twenty percent of Sterling Group's dividends. Instead of fighting for that, Lillian should ask for something realistic.
Alexander offered half of his own annual dividends. That was equivalent to five percent of the group's dividends. If Lillian agreed, he would sign a contract. She would receive those benefits until she died, or until he left the company.
He hoped Nathan would convince Lillian to accept. Family harmony was more important than anything.
Nathan agreed. He said Lillian's demands were excessive. He promised to talk to her.
Alexander nodded and saw him out.
But he knew the truth. He wasn't really persuading Lillian. He was persuading Nathan.
Because the real mastermind behind this wasn't his sister. It was her husband.
This was Alexander's final offer.
If things went in the worst direction, he would have no choice but to fight back. He didn't want his mother to know about any of this. She had just been discharged from the hospital. He couldn't let her stress affect her recovery.
Early this morning, after returning to Sterling Manor from Evelyn's place, Alexander got a call from Lillian. She said she agreed to his proposal. But she wanted to see the gift contract before signing the separation agreement.
Alexander agreed. He asked his private lawyer to draft the contract immediately. It would take some time, but he promised to deliver it by the end of the day. After all, she had the evidence now. She didn't need to worry that he would break his word.
Lillian thought for a moment and agreed.
That morning, the family meeting officially began. All relevant parties attended as non-voting delegates. On the surface, everything seemed normal.
The lawyer explained the principles and terms of the separation again. Everyone agreed. The property division by lottery was accepted without objection. After signing, the lawyer would send the documents for notarization. Then everything would take effect.
But just as they were about to sign, Lillian received a phone call. She suddenly changed her mind. She refused to sign.
Then she turned to Alexander and said, "I'm against it!"
Audrey was startled. She quickly pulled Lillian's arm, signaling her to stop. Even Eleanor frowned.
"Lillian, what's your opinion?" Eleanor asked.
Lillian turned to her mother. "I don't think this separation principle is fair."
"Third sister, think carefully before you speak," Alexander said calmly. His tone was flat, but the room suddenly went cold.
"What shameful thing do you have that you're afraid I'll say?" Lillian sneered.
Audrey pulled Lillian again, trying to stop her. But Lillian shook her hand off.
"I'll say it now, while the family, the lawyer, and the witnesses are all here. This separation principle is unfair. Why should an outsider share the family's property?"
"Lillian, make it clear who the outsider is!" Eleanor demanded, her face dark.
"Mom, there's an old saying: if you don't know, don't do it. I believe you know better than I do who the outsider is in this room."
"Lillian, watch your tone! Is that how you speak to your elders?" Uncle Richard, the eldest family elder, spoke up.
"Uncle Richard, I don't mean to disrespect you. I don't mean to disrespect Mrs. Sterling either. If my words are inappropriate, please forgive me.
But today is about the family separation. As a member of this family, I have the right to demand fairness and transparency. Of course, I also hope that you, as the eldest elder, will uphold justice."
"Fine," Uncle Richard said, though he was clearly annoyed. "What's unfair about today's separation? Point it out, and I'll correct it."
Lillian turned to Alexander. She spoke slowly, each word deliberate.
"Alexander Sterling is not a man who cares about this family at all. He has no right to share the family's property."
Her words hit the room like drops of water on stone. Audrey gasped. The meeting room fell into frozen silence.