The Broke Husband’s Billion-Dollar Name

The unwanted guest

The grand lobby of the Sterling Hotel sparkled under crystal chandeliers. James Caldwell stepped inside with Elena Sterling at his side, her custom jacket neat and tidy even after everything she had been through. 

Marcus had insisted on this banquet to honor James, and though he’d rather be anywhere else, he’d given his word. Elena glanced at him, calm but kindly, silently showing that she appreciated everything he had done for her.

“Mr. Caldwell, you’re sure about this?” Elena asked, her voice low but professional. “You don’t strike me as the banquet type.”

“I’m not,” James replied, his tone softer than usual. “But your father’s a hard man to refuse.”

Before Elena could respond, a loud voice interrupted. “You! You snake!” Margaret rushed toward them, her red dress matching her angry, flushed face.

James paused, his face giving nothing away, as Margaret stood in front of him. “You sabotaged my Sophia!” she spat, her finger jabbing at his chest. “Told Marcus Sterling lies to ruin her chance with the Aurora Project! After everything we did for you!”

Elena frowned, but James spoke first. “Margaret, Marcus’s decision was his own. He didn’t think Sophia was right for the role. That’s all.”

“Liar!” Margaret’s voice rose, drawing more stares. “You poisoned him against her out of spite! You’re nothing but a jealous nobody!”

Elena stepped forward, commanding attention. “That’s enough. You’re making a scene at my father’s event. Control yourself, or leave.”

Margaret froze, stunned by Elena’s beauty and authority. She glanced at Elena’s jacket and sneered again.

“Who do you think you are? Some lobby manager who slept her way to a badge?” She straightened up, her voice full of pride. “I’m Margaret Carver, mother of Sophia Carver, the honored guest of this banquet. Marcus Sterling’s throwing it for my daughter and her fiancé, Simon Alexander. As for him—” She pointed at James. “He’s trash my daughter discarded. Call security and throw him out before he ruins everything!”

The lobby went quiet, as everyone’s eyes turned to the outburst. Elena smiled coldly, her eyes full of contempt. “You think this banquet is for your daughter? You’re mistaken. And you’re the one who doesn’t belong here.”

Margaret’s face twisted with rage. “How dare you! You think you can talk to me like that? I’ll have you fired!” She turned to James, her voice venomous. “And you! Parading around with this… this hotel tramp! You were cheating on Sophia before the divorce, weren’t you?”

James’s jaw tightened, but his voice stayed calm. “Don’t jump to conclusions, Margaret. There’s nothing between us.”

“Excuses!” Margaret shrieked, raising her hand to slap him. James caught her wrist firmly but not harshly, as he stared straight at her. 

For the first time, Margaret hesitated, noticing the strength in him she hadn’t seen before. She tried to pull away, but he held her in place, and her confidence began to fade.

“You’re done here,” Elena said firmly, nodding to the security guards nearby. “Remove her.”

Two guards moved swiftly, taking Margaret by the arms. “No! You can’t do this!” she screamed, thrashing as they dragged her toward the exit. “When Marcus hears his honored guest’s mother was thrown out for your little mistress, you’ll both pay!”

James and Elena ignored her, walking towards the banquet hall’s gilded doors. Margaret’s fading screams echoed behind them. “You’ll regret this!” she shouted, her voice breaking with hatred as the guards escorted her out.

Outside, Sophia and Simon stepped from a sleek Maserati, their faces bright with anticipation. Sophia’s confidence was strengthened by Simon’s promise to reclaim her role. But as they approached the hotel entrance, they froze. Margaret stood on the sidewalk, disheveled, cursing at the guards barring her re-entry.

“Mother?” Sophia’s voice trembled, her heels clicking as she hurried forward. “What happened?”

Margaret spun around, her eyes wild. “That bastard James!” she spat. “He’s in there with some hotel manager—a woman he’s clearly been sneaking around with! They had me thrown out, Sophia! Me!”

Sophia’s face paled, her hands clenching into fists. “James? With another woman?” Her voice cracked, the betrayal hitting her harder than she imagined. “First he ruined my deal with Sterling, and now he’s… he’s moved on already?”

Simon placed a hand on her shoulder, his face growing serious. “Calm down, Sophia. This is just like him—stirring trouble to get under your skin. Don’t worry. Once Marcus hears about this, he’ll have James and that so-called manager fired. She’ll be on her knees apologizing to your mother.”

Sophia’s anger eased a little. “You’re right, Simon. You always know what to do.” She squeezed his hand, her voice softer. “I’m so glad I chose you. James was never capable of handling things like this.”

Margaret’s face twisted with resentment. “That woman had the nerve to order me out! When Marcus finds out, he’ll make them pay!”

Simon smirked, adjusting his cufflinks. “Exactly. Nobody crosses the Alexander family and walks away clean. I’ll make sure Sterling knows what’s at stake.”

Sophia nodded, steeling herself. “We need to get inside, Simon. We have to show Marcus we’re the ones he should be dealing with.”

Margaret stepped forward, holding her head high. “I’m coming with you. I won’t let that trash humiliate me and get away with it.”

The lead security guard raised a hand, his face expressionless. “Ma’am, I’m sorry, but you’re not permitted re-entry. Miss Sterling’s orders.”

“Miss Sterling?” Margaret’s voice rose, incredulous. “That lobby manager is a Sterling?”

The guard’s expression didn’t change. “Miss Elena Sterling, yes. Now, please step back.”

Margaret’s jaw dropped, her face paling as the truth hit. Elena Sterling—the billionaire heiress, not some hotel worker. She turned to Sophia, her voice shaking. “They lied to me! They let me think she was nobody!”

Sophia’s stomach twisted, her earlier confidence slipping away. “Elena Sterling? Why is James with her?” Her voice was barely a whisper, doubt settling in. Had she underestimated him again?

Simon’s jaw tightened, but he kept his tone smooth. “Doesn’t matter. We’ll deal with it inside. Marcus will listen to reason—especially after our gift.” He patted the pocket where the ginseng root’s box had been confidently.

Sophia took a deep breath, smoothing her gown. “You’re right. This is our moment. Let’s go.”

Margaret grabbed her arm, sounding desperate. “Sophia, I should be there! I deserve to see them humiliated!”

The guard stepped closer, his tone firm. “Ma’am, you need to leave. Now.”

Sophia’s eyes flicked between her mother and the hotel doors, her heart racing. “Mother, go home,” she said nervously. “We’ll handle this. I promise we’ll call with good news.”

Margaret’s face twisted in anger, but with the guards there, she couldn’t fight back. “Fine,” she snapped, turning away. “But don’t let that snake James win!” She stormed off.