Heaven or Hell: Loving My Twisted Billionaire novel Chapter 71

Chapter 71

Finn’s POV

The principal of Sunshine Special Education Center nodded enthusiastically across her desk. “Mr. Sterling, your proposal for expanding our sensory rooms would be revolutionary. The children would benefit immensely.”

I kept my face neutral, though satisfaction coursed through me despite my confusion about this project. Jack had informed me this was something I’d initiated before my memory loss–a project with minimal profit margins that was essentially charitable work. It wasn’t like the Sterling Group needed the good PR, and the tax benefits were negligible compared to our other ventures.

“The funding will be available next quarter,” I said. “We’ll need detailed plans for the equipment and specialists you require.”

The principal beamed. “Of course! I can’t thank you enough. This will change so many lives.”

I stood, effectively ending our meeting. “My team will be in touch.”

Walking out of her office, I contemplated why I’d started this project in the first place. When Jack first briefed me on it, he’d mentioned Hannah worked here. Had I initiated this entire project because of her? The thought made me scoff at my former self. Emotional decision–making was a weakness I couldn’t afford.

As I turned down the corridor, movement caught my eye. Hannah and a man–Martin, the driver Victoria had assigned to her–slipping into a room at the end of the hall. Hannah’s body language was tense, her shoulders rigid. Martin’s hand hovered near her lower back, not quite touching but directing.

Something wasn’t right.

I slowed my pace, studying them. Hannah didn’t notice me–unusual for someone who seemed hyperaware of my presence. The door closed behind them.

I stood alone in the corridor. I knew the principal’s office had one–way glass walls, allowing people inside to see out while appearing as mirrors from the outside. Hannah’s room would likely be the same.

I deliberately slowed my pace and lingered outside the observation room door, waiting for a full minute. If she

could see me through the glass, surely she’d come rushing out with that bright smile of hers. I’d grown accustomed to the way her face lit up whenever she saw me–as if I were some precious treasure she’d discovered. It made something warm settle in my chest, though I’d never admit it aloud.

But the door remained closed. No excited greeting. No Hannah.

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A weight settled in my stomach. Hannah had claimed to like me, to care about me. Yet now she hadn’t even bothered to acknowledge my presence. Had her declarations of caring been just another ploy? I certainly wasn’t going to call out to her first that wasn’t who I was. But her absence of greeting left an unfamiliar hollow feeling.

I thought of the night I’d brought her to my penthouse, how she’d rejected me, citing her pregnancy. How she’d looked me in the eyes and spoken of life being worth living.

What a fool I’d been. (!)

A female teacher approached from a classroom. “Mr. Sterling, can I help you with anything?”

“Are those observation rooms like the principal’s office?” I asked, gesturing toward the end of the hallway where Hannah had disappeared. “With the one–way glass?” A small part of me still hoped there was an innocent explanation–that Hannah simply hadn’t seen me through the mirrored surface, that she wasn’t intentionally ignoring me.

The teacher nodded. “Yes, exactly. They all have one–way mirrors so therapists can watch children’s behavior without influencing them. From inside, you can see everything happening in the adjacent space, but from outside, it just looks like a mirrored wall.”

My last shred of hope vanished. Hannah would have seen me standing here.

She misinterpreted my interest. “Don’t worry about your business discussion being overheard. The rooms are completely soundproof.”

I forced a thin smile. “Thank you for the information.”

I turned toward the exit, my hands clenched into fists. I’d wasted enough time on Hannah Lancaster. I wouldn’t allow myself to be played for a fool again.

Jack was waiting by the car, straightening when he saw me approach. He stepped forward to open the door without comment.

“Drive,” I ordered as I slid into the backseat.

Jack glanced at me in the rearview mirror. “Back to the office, sir?”

“Yes.”

The car pulled away from the curb. I stared out the window, my anger building with each passing second. She’d claimed to care about me, to like me, yet she couldn’t even be bothered to acknowledge me when I was standing

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right there. The more I thought about it, the more furious I became. Was everything she’d said to me just a lie? A calculated performance to gain my trust?

I’d let her into my home, into my life–hell, I’d even started believing her ridiculous claims about life being worth living. What a joke. I needed to confront her, to make her admit her deception to my face. I’d tear off that mask of affection she wore so convincingly and expose the truth beneath.

“Stop the car,” I commanded suddenly.

Jack hit the brakes, pulling to the side of the road. “Sir?”

“Turn around. Back to the school.”

“Did you forget something?”

I didn’t answer, and Jack knew better than to press. He made a careful U–turn and headed back toward Sunshine Special Education Center.

When we arrived, I didn’t wait for Jack to open my door. “Stay with the car,” I ordered, stepping out.

I moved quickly through the school’s entrance and down the hallway. My strides were purposeful as I headed directly for the observation room where I’d seen Hannah and Martin disappear.

The hallway was nearly empty now, only distant laughter from children in classrooms breaking the silence. I approached the door, a strange tightness constricting my chest.

Without hesitation, I kicked the door open.

The room was empty.

My eyes immediately caught sight of something on the white floor tiles–small red droplets. Fresh blood.

Cold reality crashed over me. She’d been in danger–and I had walked away.

I bolted from the room, racing toward the parking lot. Jack jumped in surprise as I burst through the doors.

“Sir, what-”

I yanked open the driver’s side door. “Move. Now.”

Jack scrambled out of the way as I slid behind the wheel, my mind racing through possibilities.

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I slammed the car into gear and peeled out of the parking lot, leaving Jack standing bewildered on the sidewalk. My mind raced as reality crystallized–Martin was a Sterling–vetted driver, part of our family’s staff for years.

This wasn’t some outside threat; only someone from within the Sterling family could command his loyalty to harm Hannah. If an outsider had threatened him, Martin could have easily sought protection from the Sterling security team.

I slammed my fist against the steering wheel with such force that pain shot through my hand. The realization that someone in my own family had orchestrated this made my blood boil.

Victoria wouldn’t harm Hannah–she needed her for the child she carried. And Sophia… Sophia had just recently tried to bribe Hannah into becoming her spy. When that failed… Goddamn it. The pieces clicked into place with sickening clarity.

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