Chapter 4 - The Shadow of Julian Sterling
The air in the study instantly thickened with tension. Lucía stepped back away from the desk, but her eyes remained locked on Julian Sterling’s hand, which was moving with subtle speed toward the silver picture frame.
"Julian," Alejandro said, his voice flat and unreadable. "You don't usually visit without calling Vance first."
"Well, I was in the neighborhood," Julian replied smoothly, his fingers resting lightly on the corner of the desk, just inches from the frame. "And I wanted to make sure everything was running smoothly. You know how much I care about your well-being, Alejandro."
"I am perfectly capable of managing my own household," Alejandro said coldly. He moved his hand across the desk, instinctively covering the picture frame before Julian could touch it. "Lucía was just explaining something to me."
Julian’s eyes narrowed as he looked at Lucía. The warm smile on his face didn't reach his eyes, which were cold and calculating. "Was she? Lucía, I believe Mr. Vance needs help in the kitchen with the lunch preparations. You shouldn't bother Mr. Rivas with minor domestic matters."
Lucía looked at Alejandro, waiting for his signal.
"You may go, Lucía," Alejandro said softly. "We will finish our conversation later."
"Yes, Mr. Rivas," Lucía said. As she walked past Julian toward the door, she felt his gaze burning into her back—a silent, threatening warning that made the hairs on her neck stand up.
Once the heavy oak door clicked shut behind her, Julian took a seat in the leather chair Lucía had just vacated. He pulled a cigar from his pocket, though he didn't light it.
"You seem tense today, Alejandro," Julian remarked, leaning back. "Is the new maid causing problems? If she's not performing up to standards, I can have her replaced by this afternoon."
"She is doing fine," Alejandro said sharply. "Her daughter brought life into this dead house last night. Something none of your high-priced estate managers have managed to do in seven years."
Julian let out a light laugh, but it sounded forced. "A two-year-old child running wild in a millionaire's mansion? Alejandro, you need peace and quiet, not chaos. Remember what the doctors said after your accident. Stress is bad for your condition."
"My condition has been stable for seven years, Julian," Alejandro said, his fingers tightening over the silver frame. "Though my memory of the day the plant exploded remains curiously foggy."
Julian froze for a split second, his body going rigid. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing," Alejandro said quietly. "Just an observation. Now, if you came to discuss estate reports, leave them with Vance. I have a headache."
Julian stared at his blind friend for a long moment, his jaw tight. "Of course. Take care of yourself, Alejandro. I'll be back on Friday to check on you."
Julian stood up and walked out of the study. But as he stepped out into the hallway, he didn't head toward the stairs. Instead, he waited near the end of the corridor until he saw Lucía coming out of a linen closet.
Julian stepped into her path, blocking her way.
"Mr. Sterling," Lucía said, taking a step back.
"Lucía," Julian said, his voice dropping into a dark, quiet murmur. "I gave you a job in this house because I thought you were a simple girl who needed money. I didn't hire you to dig around in things that don't concern you."
"I wasn't digging around, sir," Lucía said bravely, holding her chin up. "I was just doing my job."
"Your job is to clean floors and keep your mouth shut," Julian sneered, stepping closer until he was inches from her face. "If I hear that you're filling Alejandro’s head with foolish ideas or poking around his personal belongings, you won't just lose this job. I'll make sure you never find work in this city again. And a single mother with a two-year-old daughter can't afford to be blacklisted, can she?"
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Lucía felt a cold shiver of fear run down her spine, but as she looked into Julian’s arrogant, threatening eyes, a strange realization clicked in her mind.
Julian Sterling wasn't just a concerned business partner. He was terrified of what was written on the paper hidden inside that frame.
