Heaven or Hell: Loving My Twisted Billionaire novel Chapter 75

Chapter 75

Hannah’s POV

“With what?” Finn pressed, his eyes narrowing. “What power do you have?”

I looked directly into his eyes, no longer avoiding his scrutiny. Something had shifted inside me during those terrifying

moments underwater. Perhaps it was facing death that had finally burned away my fear.

“I have the fact that I am a Lancaster,” I said, my voice steadier than I expected. “Maybe I was sheltered before, but now I

understand how this world works.”

A flicker of surprise crossed Finn’s face, quickly masked by his usual cold expression. He studied me with renewed interest,

as if seeing something he hadn’t noticed before.

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Hannah,” he said, rising from his chair. His movement was slightly stiff, revealing

that his own injuries hadn’t fully healed.

He paused at the door, his hand resting on the frame. Without turning back, he added, “Whatever you’re planning to do,

remember one thing: the Sterling family’s game is crueler than you can imagine.”

I watched him leave, determination settling in my chest like a weight. “I’ll prove it to you, Finn,” I whispered to the empty

room. “I’m not the girl who needs saving anymore.”

Three hours later, a doctor was recommending I stay for further observation, but I politely declined.

“Mrs. Sterling, with a head injury like yours-”

“I understand the risks,” I interrupted, already pulling on the clean clothes Amy had dropped off earlier. “But I have people

waiting for me.”

The nurse looked concerned but didn’t argue further. I signed the discharge papers, ignoring the throbbing in my temples.

No one from the Sterling family knew I was leaving–I hadn’t called them. This was my first independent move in what I

knew would be a dangerous game.

at

In the taxi heading toward Sterling Estate, I gazed out

Lancaster never falls; we only rise again.” How many times had my father repeated that to my brothers and me? I’d

forgotten those lessons in the years following the fire, too consumed by grief and the struggle to survive.

the passing city. My family’s words echoed in my mind: “A

But now, those memories returned with startling clarity. The Lancaster name had once commanded respect throughout the

East Coast. We weren’t just old money; we were power, influence, and most importantly, strategy.

00

FUC

12

1/3

|||

15:32 Tue, May 12

Chapter 75

When I arrived at Sterling Estate, Amy rushed to meet me at the entrance, her eyes wide with surprise.

“Hannah! We thought you were still at the hospital! Mrs. Sterling has been asking for you-”

“I know,” I said, giving her a reassuring smile. “I’m going to see her now.”

Amy hesitated. “She’s in her private sitting room. She seems… worried.”

I nodded and made my way through the mansion’s corridors, each step purposeful. The grand house no longer intimidated me as it once had. I’d been seeing it as a prison, but perhaps it could be a fortress instead.

Victoria Sterling was standing by the window when I entered her sitting room, her slender figure silhouetted against the

afternoon light. She turned quickly at the sound of the door, her face registering shock when she saw me.

“Hannah,” she said, her voice caught between relief and guilt. “You shouldn’t have left the hospital without informing us.

We would have sent a car.”

“I preferred to make my own way back,” I replied simply.

Victoria approached me, studying my face with genuine concern. “What happened should never have occurred. I put you in

harm’s way without sufficient protection. That was my error.”

I held her gaze steadily. “What’s done is done. There’s no point in dwelling on it.”

Victoria seemed taken aback by my directness. I continued before she could respond: “I’ve been thinking about your

request.”

“My request?” she questioned, though I could see understanding dawning in her eyes.

“To help Finn become the true heir to Sterling. I’m ready to accept that responsibility.”

Victoria’s eyebrows rose slightly. “What changed your mind?”

I walked to the window, looking out at the manicured grounds of Sterling Estate. Then I turned to face her directly.

“I have the fact that I am a Lancaster,” I said, echoing my words to Finn. “Maybe I was sheltered before, but now I

understand how this world works.”

Victoria’s expression shifted from surprise to careful assessment. “The Lancasters were indeed a powerful family once. One

of the oldest on the East Coast.”

“We still are,” I corrected her gently. “As long as I’m alive, the Lancaster line continues. And the wisdom that built our

12

о

2/3

15:32 Tue, May 12

Chapter 75

family fortune flows in my veins too.”

Victoria studied me with new respect. “What do you want in return, Hannah? Everyone wants something.”

I smiled slightly. “You don’t need to give me anything. When he truly gets better, I’ll have everything I want.”

This clearly wasn’t the answer Victoria expected. She sat down slowly, gesturing for me to join her. “You’re not the same woman who came to Sterling Estate three months ago.”

“No,” I agreed. “I’m not.”

“You’ll need protection,” Victoria said pragmatically. “After what happened with Martin-”

“I accept that,” I nodded. “But any security you assign should keep their distance. I need to move freely.”

60

Victoria considered this, then nodded. “And you’ll need to understand more about our family’s operations if you’re to help Finn navigate them.”

“I would appreciate that information,” I agreed.

We spent the next twenty minutes discussing the details of our arrangement. Victoria was explaining the complex relationship between various Sterling business divisions when a frantic knock interrupted us.

The door burst open before Victoria could respond. A maid stood there, breathless and pale.

“Mrs. Sterling,” she gasped, “something terrible has happened. Mrs. Sophia is missing!”

Comments

LIKE

O

Write Comments

<SHARE

TUC