Chapter 6 The Black Sheep of Hills Valley

• Richard’s car pulled up in front of the brightly lit villa gates. The Sterling family stepped out one by one, their clothes shimmering under the evening lights. Williams adjusted his tie and puffed out his chest, walking with the self-importance of a man certain of his status. Beside him, Carl struggled to balance the tall stack of gift boxes in his arms, each wrapped in gold paper. Melissa followed, her chin tilted high, her lips curled into a satisfied smirk.
• “This is it,” Williams said with pride. “The Supreme Commander himself is here tonight. Once we get inside, we’ll show everyone where the Sterling family stands.”
• Melissa’s eyes scanned the crowd, and then they landed on a trio approaching slowly behind them — Richard, Celeste, Elizabeth and Logan.
• Her smirk widened. “Oh look. The strays have followed us here.”
• Celeste glanced at her without a word, her hand tightening around Logan’s arm. Melissa stepped closer, her voice dripping with mock sweetness.
• “Celeste, darling,” she began, “I’m surprised to see you here. I didn’t think you had the kind of connections to get an invitation. Or…” She let the pause hang in the air, then chuckled. “Did you get it from a street vendor? Fake invitations are cheap these days.”
• Elizabeth bit her lower lips anxiously as I’d regret coming here.
• Logan just watched them make a fool out themselves. He loved seeing these people playing high and mighty when they don’t have real power.
• Richard’s face flushed. “We didn’t—”
• “Are you trying to say you didn’t get fake invites?” Carl chuckled incredulously. “Then how did you get invitation cards that are worth millions?!”
• Melissa added mockingly. “Come now. Show it to us. Let’s confirm the authenticity and see if the ink has even dried.”
• Williams folded his arms, enjoying the show. “Yes, let’s see it. You can’t just stroll into an event like this without proof.”
• Richard looked down, embarrassed. “We… don’t have an invitation.”
• That brought a round of sharp laughter from the Sterling family.
• Carl nearly dropped a gift box as he bent over laughing. “No invitation? Then why are you even here? This is a private gathering. You’ll embarrass yourselves.”
• Melissa tilted her head mockingly at Logan. “So, you brought them here for a little sightseeing before the security throws you out? How thoughtful.”
• Logan’s face remained unreadable. “You should keep your attention on yourselves.”
• Williams waved him off. “We’ll be inside enjoying the banquet while you’re left standing outside.”
• The Sterling family reached the gate first. Carl stepped forward with confidence, handing twelve glossy invitation cards to the guards.
• The head of security glanced at them, then at the family, his expression hardening. “Sterling family?”
• Williams lifted his chin. “Yes. Now open the gate.”
• “You’re not allowed to enter,” the guard said flatly.
• Carl blinked. “What do you mean? We have invitations.”
• “They’ve been revoked,” the guard said. “Orders from above.”
• Melissa’s eyes went wide. “Revoked? Who gave that order? We are respected guests!”
• Before anyone could answer, the guard took a step forward. “Leave. Now.”
• Williams’s face turned red. “This is an insult!”
• Carl tried to push forward, but the guard shoved him hard in the chest. Carl stumbled back, nearly dropping the gifts, his face twisted with shock and humiliation.
• Melissa gasped. “You can’t treat us like this!”
• But the guards stood firm. “Leave. Or we’ll make you.”
• The Sterling family had no choice but to retreat to the side, their pride wounded, their arms still full of the untouched gifts.
• Richard and the others reached the checkpoint next. Melissa, still seething, called out to the guards, “Those three aren’t part of the Sterling family anymore! Throw them out too!”
• The head guard looked at Logan then straightened and saluted. “Distinguished guests. Please, come in. You don’t need an invitation.”
• Melissa’s mouth fell open. “What?”
• Robert stared in disbelief as the gate swung open for Logan’s group. “How is this possible?”
• Logan didn’t even glance at them as he led Richard and Celeste inside. The guards’ voices were warm, their posture respectful.
• “Welcome, Mr. Logan. It’s an honor.”
• Celeste kept her head high, though inside she was still burning from Melissa’s earlier mockery. Richard glanced back at the Sterlings, satisfaction flickering in his eyes for the first time that evening.
• Inside the villa, the golden light poured over polished floors and crystal chandeliers. Waiters moved between tables with trays of fine wine and hors d’oeuvres. Music drifted softly in the background.
• Elizabeth leaned close to Richard, whispering, “That was incredible. I thought we were going to be humiliated back there.”
• Richard smiled faintly. “Logan’s not as simple as people think.”
• Logan just smiled and excused himself for some minutes.
• Celeste nodded slightly, though her mind was turning over questions. If Logan had this much influence, why had he never used it before? Why had he stood by when others mocked them in the past?
• Her thoughts were interrupted by a smooth, mocking voice.
• “Well, well. Celeste.”
• She turned sharply. Standing before her was Anthony Stone, his expensive suit tailored to perfection, a glass of wine in hand. Two equally well-dressed men flanked him.
• Anthony’s gaze traveled over her with open greed. “It’s been too long. I hear your company is still… gone.” His smirk deepened. “A shame.”
• Her shoulders stiffened instantly. She knew him well—the man who had once cornered her with promises of business partnerships, only to destroy her company when she refused his advances. That was how dangerous Anthony was.
• Richard stepped forward. “We don’t have time for you.”
• But Anthony ignored him. “And I heard about your dear husband, after being accused of killing his whole family in that fire, he had gone into hiding.”
• He sipped his wine casually. “I wonder how long before he finds himself behind bars again, because I could make up something in order to throw him in there, you see.”
• “You can’t do that!” Celeste almost raised her voice in fear.
• Anthony’s smile widened. “Or what? You’ll hit me? Or I have a better idea. You can only hear me out and follow my wishes. I’ll make sure your friend doesn’t get dragged back to prison.”
• Celeste felt her stomach twist. Anthony wasn’t bluffing—he had the connections to follow through.
• She straightened her back, forcing her voice to remain calm despite the fear tightening her chest. “What do you want?”
• “Make me happy tonight, Celeste. Keep me company and I promise I will let your good-for-nothing husband be…but if you refuse, Celeste, I might not be so merciful.”