Chapter 6 - THE DEBT THEY CALLED AMBITION.
Evelyn demanded a forensic review before defending herself.
The device logs showed transfers originated from her office at times she was working gala events downstairs.
Her deputy, Daniel Price, admitted lending Andrew temporary access after being promised a promotion.
“I thought executives had authority.”
Evelyn answered, “You thought rank mattered more than permission.”
Daniel surrendered his badge and agreed to testify without immunity.
The money had not gone to Evelyn. It funded a luxury training academy that charged low-wage hotel workers for classes required to keep their jobs.
Workers borrowed from Sterling lenders, then lost housing when they fell behind.
Andrew called the program professional development.
Rosa replied, “You created debt, called it ambition and blamed us for failing.”
The board froze the academy and restored wages.
Then Samuel opened the ring’s hidden compartment.
Inside was a microfilm list of women whose designs, recipes and service systems had been patented under Sterling names.
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The first inventor listed was Evelyn’s mother.
The final one was Margaret Sterling herself.
