Chapter 2
Mr. Sterling tried to reason with him patiently. “Julian, Noelle’s been handling the jewelry division from the start. Replacing her out of the blue could tank our stock.”
“I don’t care!” Julian cut him off, his voice sharp with defiance. “I’ve made up my mind. Vanessa is going to be the daughter-in-law of this family. Or do you trust some outsider more than your own son?”
The jewelry business had become the Sterling Group’s core focus in recent years.
In my previous life, it was my relentless effort that had taken Sterling Group to the top of the New York jewelry industry, making us an undisputed leader. It also cemented my role as the company’s chief designer.
Julian knew all of this.
A few minutes later, the butler came to escort me to the study.
Mr. Sterling was seated behind his massive mahogany desk, looking weary and troubled.
He gestured for me to sit down, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the desk, the sound low and dull.
“Noelle, there’s something I need to discuss with you.”
“There’s no need,” I interrupted, my tone so calm it didn’t even sound like my own. “I understand.”
Mr. Sterling looked up, a flicker of surprise crossing his eyes before it melted into guilt.
For years, he had treated me like his own daughter, mentoring me, guiding me.
But now, even he was powerless.
He was approaching retirement. Someone had to take over the company, the family.
With a heavy sigh, he said, “You’ve been running the jewelry division for years. Replacing you now would be disruptive.”
“But you know how stubborn Julian is. Even more than I am.”
I nodded. “I understand, Mr. Sterling.”
From my purse, I pulled out a prepared envelope and placed it gently on the desk along with an vintage gold bracelet.
“The folder contains all the jewelry project files and handover documents. Julian knows the password.”
His gaze locked onto the bracelet, and his fingers trembled.
It was a Sterling family heirloom-passed down through generations, symbolizing the next matriarch of the household. Supposedly priceless.
I’d worn it since I was eighteen. It had practically become a part of me.
Even in my past life, I had never taken it off, not until the moment I died.
Looking at my composed expression, Mr. Sterling opened his mouth to speak but hesitated.
Chapter 2
1.96%
I stood and bowed deeply. “Thank you for everything these past years. I’m grateful for your kindness.”
Suddenly, the study doors burst open. Julian stormed in with Vanessa close behind.
“Dad, is everything settled?”
He didn’t even glance in my direction, going straight to his father’s side.
Mr. Sterling nodded reluctantly, pushing the envelope and bracelet toward him. “Noelle has agreed to the handover.”
Before Julian could even respond, Vanessa reached out eagerly, snatching the bracelet with gleaming eyes. Her excitement and smugness were impossible to miss.
Mr. Sterling’s brows furrowed slightly at the sight.
“Wait a minute,” I said suddenly.
Julian’s face darkened. “Noelle, don’t tell me you’re having second thoughts.”
I shook my head and pulled a separate file from the folder.
“These are the confidential documents for the jewelry division-private contracts with major clients, and key terms with
several of our top suppliers.”
Julian took the file suspiciously, flipping through it quickly. His frown deepened with every page.
“If these details aren’t handled correctly,” I said flatly, “Sterling Group could suffer massive losses. But I’m sure Vanessa’s
capable, right?”
For a split second, something flickered in Vanessa’s expression.
But she quickly regained her poise, flashing a bright, confident smile.
“You worry too much. I know what I’m doing.”
I said nothing more.
Vanessa, with nothing more than a community college diploma, had no grasp of design, let alone business strategy.
The jewelry division’s success had come from my creativity, my innovation, and my tireless negotiations with clients and suppliers. Even a small misstep could cause it all to crumble.
“You may leave now,” Julian said coldly. “As of today, you have nothing to do with Sterling Group.”
I turned to go, but Vanessa’s voice rang out behind me, full of deliberately feigned authority.
“Hold on!”
I stopped but didn’t turn around.
“If Noelle is no longer chosen, then she’s no longer part of the family, right?”
“By our family rules, she should leave with nothing.”
Chapter 2
1.96%
“Julian, don’t you agree?”
