novelraw Chapter 179: To Kill with a Borrowed Knife
Chapter 179: To Kill with a Borrowed Knife
Celia Sterling had many financial accounts with complex structures, so she rarely paid attention to whether her balance had increased or decreased.
But this was the first time she had ever encountered such an absurdly massive deposit.
She was about to say more when an exasperated voice suddenly cut in on the other end. "Director Jude, who gave you permission to make this call?"
Director Jude’s voice became faint and muffled, as if he had covered the mouthpiece. "I was just discussing fund management strategies with the boss, as per standard procedure."
The rest was inaudible...
Then, the call disconnected.
「In a private office at the Sterling Group headquarters in Metropia.」
"These funds are in a secret account Chairman Sterling opened for Miss Sterling. He gave specific instructions not to inform her," the general manager said, looking at Director Jude with a grim expression. "As for the specifics of how to manage it, Chairman Sterling’s assistant, Evan Rhodes, will issue formal documentation."
Director Jude’s face paled. "I’m sorry, I didn’t know..."
「Port Sovereign.」
In a spacious hotel conference room, Kian Sterling sat at the head of the table. Though he looked cold and domineering, the strands of sunlight filtering through the window and falling upon him lent him an inexplicable, devilishly decadent charm.
The conference room was filled with other people.
Among them were major clients with close ties to the Sutton Group, as well as... a group of entertainment industry tycoons who, after having morning tea with Silas Norwood in Metropia, had been shuttled back to Port Sovereign on a private jet and rushed to meet Kian Sterling without a moment’s rest.
It couldn’t be helped. They couldn’t afford to offend Silas Norwood, and they certainly couldn’t afford to offend Kian Sterling.
Summer Sutton had thrived in the Port Sovereign Circle for years, all thanks to this financial magnate backing her. He rarely intervened personally, but when he did, his methods were swift, ruthless, and decisive.
No one was willing to face the brunt of his wrath.
Even if they could withstand it, the price would be devastating. Besides, they had already groveled before Silas Norwood, so doing it one more time made little difference.
Perhaps because Silas Norwood had already thoroughly fleeced them, Kian Sterling knew not to overdo it. He showed no anger toward the group; his tone was even amicable. He offered a few casual warnings before letting the matter drop, emphasizing only one final point:
"I don’t want to see the name Summer Sutton appear in any media reports in Port Sovereign."
Even if he hadn’t said anything, everyone present had already blacklisted the name. It was something they never wanted to touch again for the rest of their lives.
"Rest assured, Ninth Master. There won’t be a next time, absolutely not!" everyone chimed in. "When you return, we’ve prepared a little something for Miss Sutton as an apology for the scare."
Kian Sterling gave a noncommittal hum and gestured for Evan Rhodes to see them out.
The group breathed a collective sigh of relief and left, their faces plastered with obsequious smiles.
Kian Sterling then turned to the other group. "The Sutton Family is in decline. If any of you are interested in the partnership proposal I just offered, you can contact my assistant. This isn’t mandatory, but I assure you, what the Sterlings can offer is far more than what the Sutton Group can."
Murmurs of interest spread through the crowd as they began whispering amongst themselves.
Kian Sterling’s phone rang.
He got up, walked out into the hotel corridor, and leaned lazily against a large picture window as he answered. "Cece, what’s wrong?"
"Brother, why were funds from the Sutton Family deposited into my account?" Celia repeated what Director Jude had said and waited quietly for Kian’s answer.
Kian Sterling instinctively reached for a cigarette but quickly suppressed a fleeting flicker of panic. "It was a mistake," he said, his voice calm.
Celia: "Hmm?"
"I’m in a financial dispute with the Sutton Family, and the funds were transferred to your account by mistake. Don’t worry about it; I’ll handle it," Kian Sterling said slowly. "As for the memo, they just wrote whatever."
Celia’s trust in Kian was bone-deep. "Okay."
Kian hung up, feeling unsettled. He smoked half a cigarette in the corridor before returning to the conference room.
At three in the afternoon, Evan Rhodes, clutching a thick stack of contracts signed with the Port Sovereign businessmen, boarded a private flight back to the capital. Kian Sterling had also personally selected a variety of local ingredients perfect for hot pot.
「Inside a private club in Port Sovereign.」
Wyatt Sutton sat in the shadows, leisurely pouring a glass of wine. "That idiot, Sutton the Second. He just took power and already he’s lost his nerve and made this huge a mess. I’d like to see how he explains himself at the board meeting tomorrow."
"Kian Sterling poached over a dozen of the Sutton Group’s most long-standing major clients. When the market opens tomorrow morning, Sutton Group’s stock will likely plummet," the assistant said in a low voice. "And for some reason, the heads of all those media companies took a trip to Metropia. They all came back looking absolutely livid and stormed over to confront Sutton the Second. It’s going to be difficult for the Sutton Group to get any help from the media from now on."
Wyatt Sutton sneered. "He dug his own grave."
He then asked about the matter that concerned him more. "Any leads on the investigation?"
"No." The assistant’s expression was grave. "Kian Sterling has all of Celia Sterling’s information under tight lock and key. I’ve assigned several people, but they’ve come up with almost nothing. We don’t dare to be too overt..."
"It’s right to be cautious." Wyatt Sutton was surprisingly amiable with his loyal subordinate. "Kian Sterling went to such lengths for an insignificant Summer Sutton. When it comes to his precious sister, his retaliation will be even more terrifying. Remind our people in Metropia they must not, under any circumstances, startle the snake."
"Understood." The assistant hesitated. "Our people did manage to set a trap for Anly, who coughed up a little more information."
Wyatt Sutton looked up, his gaze suddenly sharp. "What is it?"
"The share reversion agreement has taken effect. Lawyer Hollis stamped it personally. Nearly twenty years of dividends from the Sutton Group were transferred directly from Kian Sterling’s custodial account to Celia Sterling’s." The assistant paused to think. "But Anly was standing far away and only caught a glimpse before Lawyer Hollis ushered them out, so they aren’t sure if they misread it."
Wyatt Sutton’s gaze fell on the tea in his cup. After a long moment, he said, "Find an old photograph of Sylvia Lowell. And get me a recent one of Celia Sterling."
That wasn’t too difficult to acquire.
Half an hour later, two photographs were placed in front of Wyatt Sutton.
He stared at the photos for a long time before letting out a sudden, derisive laugh. "I always thought that Miss Sterling looked somewhat familiar. So their features are this similar... No wonder."
’No wonder. Even though they were Sutton family shares, Celia Sterling was the one signing documents with Kian Sterling, and the funds flowed to her account.’
’No wonder. Kian Sterling had protected Summer Sutton for years, yet if you looked closely, you couldn’t see a single trace of affection in his eyes for her. But his gaze toward his precious sister... it was doting and intense. Not the way a brother looks at his sister, but more like...’
"I heard Kian Sterling and Summer Sutton were engaged back in the day," Wyatt Sutton said with a knowing smile. "How... interesting."
The assistant didn’t quite follow the logic behind Wyatt’s words.
Wyatt didn’t bother to explain. Instead, he asked thoughtfully, "Do you think Kian Sterling’s methods are enough to completely crush Sutton the Second?"
"Kian Sterling’s own rise to power was notoriously vicious and brutal. With his methods and temperament, he could certainly destroy Sutton the Second..." the assistant mused. "But he has no deep-seated grudge against him, so he’s unlikely to go that far."
"Then let’s add some fuel to the fire." A cunning light flashed in Wyatt Sutton’s eyes.
The assistant didn’t understand. "What are you planning, sir?"
"Arrange for Sutton the Second to ’discover’ a certain secret on his own," Wyatt said softly. "That Eldest Miss Sterling... is the real Summer Sutton."
’All it would take is for Sutton the Second to act impulsively one more time and go after Eldest Miss Sterling.’
’Wouldn’t Kian Sterling lose his mind?’