Joining Forces with Caleb Sterling
The black Bentley screeched to a halt, its bumper stopping just inches from Avery Hayes's feet.
Avery stumbled back, catching her balance just before she toppled over. Her breath hitched, and her amber eyes went dark as she whipped her head toward the tinted driver-side window, her glare sharp enough to pierce glass.
A moment later, the window slid down, revealing a man with a mocking smile.
Avery's lips pressed into a thin, hard line. "Caleb," she said, her voice laced with ice. "You have a really unique way of saying hello."
"Maybe," Caleb Sterling said, one hand resting casually on the steering wheel. "But you've still got quick feet, Doctor Hayes. I'll give you that." He tilted his head. "Get in. Let's talk."
Avery took a small step back. "I don't think we have anything to talk about."
As she spoke, she lifted a hand to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
The gesture was a cover; her fingers discreetly pressed the button on a rhinestone hairpin nestled in her hair.
She never let her guard down around a Sterling, not even Caleb, who she'd technically worked with before.
Theirs was a fragile alliance at best, and both of them knew the other could turn on them at any moment.
She had to document everything that might be useful.
It could be the trump card that saved her life one day.
Caleb shifted, leaning his elbow on the open window frame. "Don't be so quick to say no. I heard my uncle's lawyer is suggesting he post bail for my brother, Bryce, while he awaits trial." He let that sink in, then added, "Oh, and they've already figured out what kind of illness he should fake."
Avery's expression remained flat. "If he tries for bail, I'll have Yunchuan Hospital issue a professional assessment stating he has extreme violent tendencies and antisocial personality traits."
As soon as the words were out, a flicker of doubt crossed her mind.
Where did Warren Sterling even find this lawyer?
Was this really the best they could do? Any attorney with an ounce of experience would know that trying to get bail for a client I'd personally treated was a dead end.
Getting that assessment would be a piece of cake for me.
Caleb's next words answered her unspoken question. "But my uncle doesn't actually want to get my brother out. He just wants to delay the court date."
"Delay the court date," Avery repeated, her body going tense.
That made sense. Once Bryce was out on bail, he could claim some new health problem to postpone the trial indefinitely. But what was Warren Sterling's end game? The case against Bryce was ironclad. A delay wouldn't change the final verdict.
Avery lowered her gaze, her mind racing as she analyzed the possibilities. A moment later, a cold, knowing smile touched her lips. She looked back up at Caleb. "Did you know Bryce has a foreign trade company overseas?"
Caleb nodded, pushed the car door open, and got out. He leaned against the side of the Bentley and pulled out a silver cigarette case, tapping one out and offering it to her.
Avery recoiled with a flicker of disgust.
He shrugged, put the cigarette between his own lips, and lit it. "That company was left to my brother by his mother. It's a ghost operation. I have no idea how my uncle and the others run it."
"You say 'brother' so affectionately," Avery noted with a dry sneer.
A self-deprecating laugh escaped him. "Oh, so it seems Doctor Hayes knows my story, too."
It was hard to tell if he genuinely didn't care or if he'd let the anger fester for so long it had curdled into dark humor.
"Of course it's affectionate. The man was so worried about me that he decided to sleep with my wife. How could I not feel affection for him?"
Avery gave him a pointed look, steering the conversation back. "From what I've gathered, your uncle's family is pivoting their business, and almost all their cash flow comes from Bryce. That money probably isn't clean. If you're looking for an angle, that's where you should start."
That had to be it. Warren was delaying the trial so he could move and launder all the money Bryce controlled before the sentencing came down.
Of course, there could be other reasons, but this felt right.
And while she couldn't dig into it herself, Caleb could.
He had the resources to make Warren Sterling's life a living hell all over again.
Caleb looked up, sizing her up with that same mocking grin, a cunning glint in his eyes.
He took a drag from his cigarette, the tip glowing in the afternoon light.
After a moment, he leaned in, his voice a low laugh.
"You know a lot, Doctor Hayes. But are you trying to use me as a weapon?"
He took another drag, his eyes never leaving hers.
"Because I'm a sharp one. You're not careful, you might cut yourself."
The words were lazy, but the threat was anything but.
Avery met his gaze without flinching. "You're joking. Why would I dare use you? In fact, I'll be sending you a little gift in a few days."
With a polite dip of her head, she turned and walked calmly down the sidewalk toward the station, the clicks of her heels sharp and steady.
Caleb stood there, taking a final, deep drag from his cigarette. He exhaled a slow plume of smoke, watching through the gray haze as her figure disappeared around the corner. Once she was gone, he let out a low chuckle, his eyes alight with a sudden, intense interest. A grin spread across his face.
He was really looking forward to that gift.
Their conversation had been brief, but it was all they needed.
Avery now knew for certain that Caleb's goal was the same as hers: he hated Warren Sterling's entire family.
It wasn't just about his wife and Bryce.
The way he'd practically spat out the words "my uncle," though subtle, told her everything. His target was the whole Sterling clan.
Now that she'd confirmed it, she wouldn't have to push. When the time came, he would jump in all on his own.
Meanwhile, Caleb got back in his car, slammed his foot on the gas, and peeled out onto the main road.
Doctor Hayes had just reminded him of something. If he wanted to crush the Sterling family, he couldn't just focus on his uncle's food company. He had to cut off their money supply.
He needed to go home and start digging.