The Broke Husband’s Billion-Dollar Name

False Promises.

Marcus Sterling pressed the platinum card into James's palm despite his protests. "Please, Mr. Caldwell. This is the least we can do."

"I don't need your money or services," James said, attempting to hand it back.

"It's not charity," Elena interjected smoothly, stepping forward with her executive confidence fully restored. "Consider it a business arrangement. The Sterling VIP card grants you access to our hotels, restaurants, medical facilities, and entertainment venues worldwide."

"I'm not interested in—"

"Mr. Caldwell," Elena interrupted, her tone shifting to something more personal. "I'd like to be your friend. Real friends accept gestures of gratitude, even when they don't need them. Please give me this chance."

James studied her face, seeing the sincerity beneath her composed exterior. After a long moment, he slipped the card into his jacket. "Alright."

Elena smiled—the first genuine one he'd seen from her. "Thank you."

Across the city, Simon Alexander stepped out of his Maserati with the confidence of a man who believed the world owed him everything. He smoothed his designer suit and checked his reflection in the car window before striding up the walkway to the Carver house.

Sophia opened the door before he could knock, her face bright with desperate hope. "Simon! Please tell me you have good news."

"Better than good," Simon said, his chest puffing with self-importance. "I know exactly why Sterling withdrew his offer."

Margaret Carver appeared behind her daughter, wringing her hands anxiously. "What did you find out?"

"Sterling's daughter is dying," Simon announced dramatically. "Some rare condition that has all the doctors baffled. That's why he pulled out of our deal—he's too distracted by family drama to focus on business."

Sophia's face fell. "Then how does that help us?"

Simon's smile widened, reaching into his jacket to produce a small, ornate wooden box. "Because, my dear, I've acquired something that will change everything."

He opened the box with theatrical flourish, revealing a gnarled root wrapped in silk. "Do you know what this is?"

Sophia shook her head, but Margaret leaned forward eagerly. "Tell us!"

"This is a thousand-year-old ginseng root," Simon said proudly. "Incredibly rare, worth more than most people's houses. I had to call in every favor, pay an astronomical sum, but I got it."

"How will that help?" Sophia asked.

"Simple," Simon replied, snapping the box shut. "We take this to Sterling as a gift for his dying daughter. When he sees what we're willing to sacrifice for his family, he'll be moved by our sincerity. The Aurora Project will be yours again."

Sophia's eyes lit up with renewed hope. "You really think it will work?"

"I guarantee it," Simon said smugly. "Sterling's a businessman, but he's also a father. This gesture will show him we care about more than just contracts."

Margaret clapped her hands together. "Simon, you're brilliant! This is exactly what we needed."

An hour later, Simon's Maserati pulled up to the Sterling estate gates. The security guard approached warily.

"We're here to see Mr. Sterling," Simon announced confidently. "Simon Alexander, here with Miss Sophia Carver."

The guard checked his tablet, then shook his head. "I'm sorry, Mr. Alexander. Mr. Sterling isn't accepting visitors today."

"This is important," Simon insisted. "We have something for his daughter."

"Sir, I have strict orders—"

"Listen," Simon interrupted, his voice taking on an entitled edge. "Do you know who I am? Do you know who my family is?"

The guard remained unmoved. "I'm sorry, sir. No exceptions."

Simon's face reddened with frustration. He reached into his jacket and pulled out the ornate box. "Fine. Give this to Mr. Sterling personally. Tell him it's a thousand-year-old ginseng root for his daughter's condition."

"Sir, I can't—"

"Just take it!" Simon snapped. "Tell him Simon Alexander went through incredible connections to acquire this. Once he sees what we've brought, he'll want to meet with us immediately."

The guard reluctantly accepted the box. "I'll pass it along, sir."

"Make sure you do," Simon said haughtily. "And tell him we'll be waiting for his call."

As they drove away, Sophia squeezed Simon's hand gratefully. "I can't believe you did all this for me."

"Anything for you, darling," Simon replied, though his confidence felt slightly shaken by the guard's dismissal. "Sterling will call within the hour, mark my words."

"I hope so," Sophia murmured. "This role means everything to me."

"Trust me," Simon said, his arrogance returning. "With a gift like that, he'll have no choice but to give you the part."

Two hours later, Sophia's phone rang. She grabbed it eagerly, expecting Sterling's call, but saw her mother's name instead.

"Mom?"

"Sophia, darling!" Margaret's voice was practically singing with joy. "Have you heard the wonderful news?"

"What news?"

"Sterling's daughter has recovered! Completely cured! They're throwing a massive celebration banquet tonight—all the biggest names in business, politics, and entertainment will be there!"

Sophia's heart leaped. "She's cured? But how?"

"It must have been Simon's medicine!" Margaret gushed. "That expensive root he brought—it worked! Oh, Sophia, Sterling will be so grateful. He'll definitely give you the role back now!"

Tears of relief streamed down Sophia's face. "Really? You think so?"

"I'm certain of it! Get dressed in your best gown, darling. Tonight, you're going to reclaim your crown!"

Sophia immediately called Simon, who answered on the first ring.

"Simon, did you hear? Elena Sterling is cured!"

"Of course she is," Simon said, his voice dripping with satisfaction. "Did you really doubt my methods?"

"I never should have," Sophia replied breathlessly. "My mother says they're having a huge banquet tonight."

"Naturally. When a man like Sterling wants to show gratitude, he does it properly," Simon said smugly. "Rare herbs like mine aren't something just anyone can acquire. The connections alone took months to establish."

"So you think he'll offer me the role again?"

"Sophia, sweetheart, after what I've done for his family? He'd be a fool not to. That Aurora Project is as good as yours."

"I can't believe it," Sophia whispered. "After everything that's happened, everything is working out."

"That's the power of having the right connections," Simon said proudly. "Your ex-husband could never have pulled strings like this. He doesn't move in our circles."

"Thank God I have you," Sophia said gratefully.

"Indeed. Now, go get ready for tonight. Wear something stunning—this is your comeback moment."

At the Carver house, Margaret was already rifling through her jewelry box. "Sophia! We need to choose your accessories carefully. First impressions matter, especially at events like this."

"I still can't believe it worked," Sophia said, holding up two different gowns. "The crimson or the midnight blue?"

"The crimson," Margaret decided immediately. "It's bold, confident. Perfect for a star reclaiming her throne."

"Do you really think Sterling will apologize for withdrawing the offer?"

"More than apologize," Margaret said confidently. "He'll probably offer you better terms than before. Guilty conscience, you know."

Sophia smiled, feeling lighter than she had in days. "Simon was right all along. James could never have helped like this."

"That boy never understood real power," Margaret agreed dismissively. "But Simon—now there's a man who knows how to get things done."

As mother and daughter prepared for what they believed would be Sophia's triumphant return, neither noticed the growing shadows outside, or the way the evening light seemed to dim around their misplaced confidence.