Chapter 3 Sophia Sterling

The SUV left the city behind and entered private territory belonging to the Cross family.

The roads became quieter as they passed through acres of valuable land. Perfectly maintained hedges stretched along both sides of the road, while marble statues stood at regular intervals like silent guards watching over the estate.

Beyond a pair of enormous iron gates stood the Cross Estate itself.

Calling it a mansion would have been an insult. The place looked more like a royal palace.

The Cross family was one of the Four Great Families of the nation, and among them, they held the greatest influence. Their businesses reached every corner of the country, their connections extended into politics and the military, and their wealth was enough to make most billionaires look poor.

As the SUV approached the main courtyard, rows of luxury vehicles came into view. Some belonged to business tycoons, others to politicians and influential figures. Every parking space was occupied.

Music drifted from inside the villa, accompanied by laughter. The celebration was already underway.

Carter parked the vehicle and switched off the engine.

Landon stepped out first and looked toward the mansion.

Guests moved freely across the courtyard carrying glasses of expensive wine while servants hurried back and forth with trays loaded with food. Everywhere he looked, people were smiling.

Anyone arriving for the first time would assume they were attending a grand wedding celebration.

Nobody would think a member of the family had died less than a year ago.

Landon's eyes grew colder.

"Ethan hasn't even been buried for a full year."

Carter stepped beside him.

"And they're already celebrating another wedding."

Landon let out a quiet laugh, though there was no amusement in the sound.

"Interesting way to honor the dead."

Carter glanced toward the villa entrance.

"Should I bring out the family heads for questioning, sir?"

Landon looked at him.

"Tell me something, Carter."

"Sir?"

"What do people fear most?"

Carter thought for a moment.

"Death."

Landon shook his head and turned his gaze back toward the mansion.

"No. People fear helplessness. They fear reaching a point where they can see disaster coming but can do absolutely nothing to stop it."

He started walking, and Carter followed behind him. The two men crossed the courtyard and approached the main entrance.

Before they reached the doors, an irritated voice suddenly rang out nearby.

"Careful with that, you idiots!"

A middle-aged butler was pointing furiously at two servants struggling to carry an antique vase wrapped in gold cloth.

"If that breaks, the old madam will kill all of us."

The servants immediately straightened.

"Yes, sir!"

The butler continued barking orders while pacing around them.

"Move slowly! Use your eyes! That's worth more than your entire bloodline."

The servants looked ready to cry.

Landon and Carter walked past without paying him any attention.

Unfortunately, the butler noticed them.

"Hey!"

Several nearby servants turned their heads as the butler marched toward them with an ugly expression.

"Where do you think you're going?"

Landon stopped. Carter looked at the man as if he were looking at an insect.

The butler didn't seem to notice. His eyes swept over Landon's simple black coat before moving to Carter, and the sneer on his face deepened.

"Do you two have invitations?"

Neither man answered.

The butler folded his arms.

"That's what I thought. This isn't a public park."

Still no response.

The silence only irritated him further.

"Look at yourselves. Do you have any idea how much the decorations inside cost? If you break something, you wouldn't be able to repay it in ten lifetimes."

Carter's expression darkened.

The butler noticed and laughed.

"What? You're angry?"

He took a step closer.

"Let me guess. You saw the luxury cars outside and thought there might be free food."

A few nearby servants laughed quietly.

The butler became even bolder.

"This is the Cross Estate. People like you don't belong here."

Carter immediately took a step forward.

"Watch your mouth."

The words came out cold enough to make several nearby servants nervous.

The butler opened his mouth to reply, but Carter had already moved another step forward. His hand drifted toward his waist, dangerously close to the sidearm concealed beneath his jacket.

"Carter."

Landon's voice cut through the tension.

He didn't raise it. He didn't even turn around.

Yet it was enough.

Carter stopped instantly and stepped back.

The butler looked between the two men, surprised by how quickly the larger man obeyed.

Landon walked past them and headed toward the entrance.

"I didn't come here to cause trouble," he said calmly. "I came looking for an old friend."

The butler followed after him, his face full of disdain.

"An old friend?"

He laughed.

"I've worked for the Cross family for fifteen years. I've seen politicians, billionaires, generals, and governors walk through these doors. I've never heard of anyone called Landon Hayes."

Landon ignored him.

That only made the man more irritated.

"Are you deaf?"

The butler hurried after him.

"You're not welcome here. Turn around and leave before I have security drag both of you out."

Without slowing down, Landon pushed open the massive front doors and entered the estate.

The butler nearly choked. For a second, he simply stood there staring before rushing after them.

"Have you lost your mind? You can't just walk in here!"

Behind him, Carter smirked.

"You're lucky the boss is in a good mood today."

The butler spun around.

"A good mood?"

"Trust me."

Carter's smile widened.

"You don't want to see him in a bad one."

The butler pointed furiously toward the exit.

"I don't care who you people are. Get out!"

Before anyone could say another word, a female voice drifted from deeper inside the mansion.

"Bertram, have the dishes been arranged yet? Grandmother will be here soon."

The butler froze, and his face immediately changed.

A second later, a young woman stepped into view.

She looked to be in her early twenties. The sapphire-blue gown she wore immediately drew attention, and her calm bearing made the servants lower their heads respectfully as she approached.

The moment she appeared, the noisy foyer became quieter.

"Miss Sophia."

Bertram hurried toward her, his voice suddenly becoming respectful.

"These two men forced their way inside. I tried to stop them, but they refused to listen."

Sophia's gaze shifted toward Landon and Carter.

Unlike the butler, she didn't look angry. She simply studied them for a moment before offering a polite smile.

"I'm sorry, but today isn't a good time for visitors. The family is busy with preparations. If you have business with the Cross family, please come back another day."

Landon didn't answer immediately. His eyes remained fixed on her face.

Sophia frowned slightly.

"Sir?"

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Landon finally asked,

"Are you Sophia Sterling?"

The question caught her off guard.

A trace of confusion appeared in her eyes.

"Yes."

Her gaze sharpened.

"Who are you?"

Landon stared at her.

Years had passed, but he recognized her instantly. Ethan had shown him her photograph countless times. Back then, Ethan couldn't stop talking about her. He talked about their future, their wedding, and the life they would build together after leaving everything else behind.

Landon still remembered the pride in Ethan's voice whenever her name came up.

The man had loved her with everything he had.

And this was the woman standing before him now.

The woman Ethan planned to marry.

The woman currently preparing to marry Ethan's brother.