Heaven or Hell: Loving My Twisted Billionaire novel Chapter 33

Chapter 33

Finn’s POV

I sat by the window in my temporary office at the Sterling Group’s West Coast division, drumming my fingers against the armrest of my leather chair. The unfamiliar sounds of Los Angeles traffic filtered through the triple–glazed windows–different from New York, more spread out but no less constant. I turned my face toward the warmth of California sunlight, knowing the view of the Pacific Ocean would be spectacular if I could still see it.

My mind drifted back to the confrontation with my father a week ago. The memory was still fresh, like an open wound.

William Sterling had summoned me to his office after learning I wanted Hannah to stay. My father’s cold laugh still echoed in my ears.

“You think I don’t see what’s happening? William had said, his voice dripping with condescension. “The great Finn Sterling, brought to his knees by a woman. How… predictable.”

I remained silent, my jaw clenched tight.

“There’s a situation at our West Coast division,” he continued. “The Davis merger is falling apart. You need to fly out there immediately.”

“Send Richards,” I replied flatly. “That’s what VPs are for.”

“This is a test, son.” William’s voice hardened. “The board needs to see that you can still handle critical situations, despite your… condition. If you can’t, well, there are others eager to take your place.”

‘I’m not your puppet anymore, I growled. “Find someone else to play your games.”

“Perhaps you’ve forgotten how things work,” William’s tone shifted to something more threatening. “I could strip you of your inheritance with a single phone call.

I let out a cold laugh. “The Sterling Group has always passed to the eldest son. That’s been the tradition for generations. Or are you planning to give it to Richard? Last I checked, your bastard son couldn’t even finish high school. Your lover Sophia must be so proud.”

I could practically hear him grinding his teeth.

“Besides,” I continued, unable to stop myself, “if Hannah gets pregnant, her child would be next in line. The board would never accept anyone else.”

The silence that followed was more threatening than any shouting could have been,

“You seem to forget, son, that I decide whether that child is ever born.” William’s voice had dropped to a dangerous whisper. “I can also decide whether. Miss Lancaster remains… healthy enough to carry it to term.”

The blood in my veins turned to ice. I stood up so quickly my chair crashed against the wall behind me.

‘If you touch her,” I snarled, “I will tear everything you’ve built to the ground. Don’t test me, William. You know what I’m capable of.

“Oh, I’m well aware of your capabilities,‘ he replied, seemingly unfazed by my threat. ‘Just as I’m aware of who controls your mother’s estate,” His tone became almost casual. ‘Caroline’s villa in Italy, all her jewelry… I could make sure you never see any of it.”

My fingers tightened around the armrest at the memory.

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“‘You wouldn’t dare,” I had whispered, my voice dangerously low,

“Try me,” William challenged. “Those assets remain in trust until I deride otherwise. Your mother may have intended that for you, bus under my control

I had clenched my fists so hard my knuckles turned white. My mother’s jewelry–the only physical consection 1 bad left to her fald hostage by who had never truly loved her.

‘Fine, I’d finally conceded. ‘I’ll go. But Jack stays in New York?

“Your bodyguard?‘ William had sounded surprised, “Why?”

“To keep an eye on Miss Lancaster,” I replied coldly. “That’s non–negotiable.

The memory faded as my phone rang, pulling me back to the present. I recognized Jack’s ringtone and answered immediately.

“Report,” I commanded.

“Sir, as you predicted, Miss Lancaster confronted Peter Johnson, Jack’s voice came through clearly. “They had a heated argument. He asked to saxe money claimed his treatment needed additional funding.”

“Her reaction?” I asked, my fingers resuming their rhythmic tapping.

“She refused him, Quite forcefully, actually,” Jack said with a hint of admiration in his voice. She even slapped him when he insulted her. Called her well. some unpleasant names.”

I felt a flicker of pride, quickly followed by guilt. If I had warned her sooner, shown her the evidence of Peter’s addiction… but no. Some lessons had to be learned firsthand.

“Sir, if I may ask,” Jack hesitated, “why didn’t we show her the evidence about Peter’s drug habit earlier? it would have saved her from giving him all that money,”

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “Some people are too innocent, too willing to see good in others. They ignore deception right in front of thess. Some lessons can only be learned through experience,

I paused, thinking about Hannah’s relentless optimism, her belief that everyone deserved kindness. It was both her most admirable quality and her greatest vulnerability.

“What about Peter Johnson?” I asked, changing the subject. ‘Where is he now?”

“He left her apartment in a hurry. We’re tracking him,” Jack reported. “The strange thing is, sir, our financial surveillance shows her withdrew the entire too hundred thousand in cash, then immediately deposited it into an offshore account. Aside from a few thousand dollars for drugs, he’s barely touched ther money.”

I frowned, my fingers pausing their rhythmic tapping. “That doesn’t make sense. Why come back asking for more money so soon if he hasnt burned through what she gave him?”

It’s unusual behavior, even for an addict,‘ Jack agreed,

“Keep digging.” I instructed. “Something’s off here. Monitor all his accounts, check his contacts. I want to know who he’s talking to arist what he’s doing with that money.”

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“Yes, sir. We’ll find out what he’s planning, Any other instructions, sir?”

1 stood and walked to the window, feeling the warmth of the sun on my face. “Don’t interfere with her daily life. Let her have her space. But krep her safe. If Johnson approaches her and shows any sign of being a threat, intervene immediately. And call me.”

‘Do you want us to… permanently resolve the Peter Johnson problem? Jack asked carefully.

I considered it for a moment. It would be so easy. One word from me, and Peter Johnson would disappear forever. But I knew what that would do to Hannah.

“No, I finally said. “That would only cause her more pain. She’s suffered enough.”

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