8
The next day, Mom met with a private investigator recommended by Mr. Wallace. He was a sharp, middle–aged man.
Mom got straight to the point. “I need you to get close to someone. Landon Sterling.”
She slid a prepared dossier across the table. “This will be your character: Mr. Chen, a mysterious overseas investor with deep poc-
kets and a long–standing rivalry with Sterling Corp.”
“Your mission is to make him believe you want to use him to bring my company down.”
The investigator’s eyes lit up as he read the file. “And my payment?”
Mom held up five fingers,
The man’s breathing quickened. “Consider it done, Ms. Sterling.”
She then produced a tiny, button–sized camera. “I want a live feed of every meeting you have with him.”
Everything was set.
This plan is brilliant! Lure the snake out of its hole. That idiot father of mine will fall for it hook, line, and sinker.
The plan went off without a hitch. “Mr. Chen” quickly made contact with Landon at a lavish party, targeting him at a time when he
was desperate for a new lifeline.
Their first official meeting was in a private room at an exclusive club. Mom and I watched from our living room, the live feed crystal
clear on the tablet.
Mr. Chen played his part perfectly, exuding an air of wealth and arrogance, speaking of Sterling Corp with utter disdain. Landon, the gullible fool, was completely taken in. After a few drinks, his ego inflated, and he started bragging.
“Mr. Chen, to be honest with you, Sterling Corp is just an empty shell, I’m the one holding it all together!”
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“That woman, Renee, she’s all beauty and no brains. All she knows is how to spend money. The company would collapse without
me!”
Watching his pathetic, self–important display, I kicked my legs in disgust.
Mr. Chen dangled the bait. “A man of your talents, Mr. Sterling, shouldn’t be playing second fiddle. It’s a waste.”
“I have a proposal. We work together. You get me the core data for that West End project, and I’ll help you take over the entire
company.”
“When it’s done, you will be the new chairman.”
Landon’s eyes turned red with greed. His breathing grew ragged.
Chairman! It was the one thing he craved more than anything.
He shot to his feet, raising his glass. “Mr. Chen, you can count on me! I’m the only one who can do this!”
“From this day on, I, Landon Sterling, will be your loyal servant! I’ll be your dog if you want!”
His fawning was sickening to watch.
This moron actually thinks he’s the chosen one! Mom, now’s the time! Get him to sign the divorce papers hidden in the contract!
I clapped my hands excitedly.
Mom stroked my head and, speaking to no one, silently mouthed two words.
Spring the trap.
The second meeting was in the executive suite of a five–star hotel, under the guise of signing the official partnership agreement.
Mr. Chen had prepared a complex, official–looking contract written entirely in English.
And tucked neatly in the middle was a single page, written in plain language.
The title read: Marital Asset Division and Divorce Agreement.
The terms were brutal. Landon Sterling would voluntarily forfeit all marital assets and leave the marriage with nothing.
Landon, blinded by his dreams of power, didn’t even bother to read the details.
Mr. Chen pointed to the signature line. “Mr. Sterling, if you please.”
With a flourish, Landon signed his name. He proudly handed the contract back. “A pleasure doing business with you!”
