Chapter 16

Mr. Sterling and Sarah Sterling stood on either side of their son, David, as they moved through the thinning crowd of the Riverbend Grand Hotel gala. Sarah kept a guiding hand on David's shoulder, her eyes scanning the room for any remaining influential figures. They had spent the evening introducing him to business associates and socialites, hoping to ground the young man in the circles that would define his future. As they neared the exit, Noah Hayes appeared, moving toward the doors with...