A3.Ethan looked at her with wide, unblinking eyes, his mouth open as if trying to understand how a person could exist without a name.

By January, Harrison Cross had officially finalized the adoption papers, filing them through a private family court under seal to protect Maya’s identity from the public press. To the world, Harrison Cross had adopted a daughter—a quiet, graceful young girl who was now the co-heir to the Cross fortune alongside Ethan.

To celebrate the annual launch of the Cross Children's Hospital Foundation, Harrison organized a black-tie gala at the grand ballroom of the Boston Ritz-Carlton.

The room was filled with Boston’s political, financial, and cultural elite. Crystal chandeliers cast golden light over women in silk gowns and men in tailored tuxedos.

Maya stood beside Ethan near the grand marble staircase. She wore a simple, elegant dark velvet dress with a white lace collar, her dark chestnut hair styled in soft curls that rested on her shoulders. Beside her, Ethan wore a matching navy suit, proudly standing next to his sister as if he were her personal bodyguard.

"Do you like the party?" Ethan asked, taking a glass of sparkling apple cider from a passing waiter’s tray and handing it to her.

"It's very loud," Maya admitted softly, though she offered a faint, genuine smile. "And everyone is wearing strange shoes."

Ethan giggled. "Dad says parties like this are just business with music."

From across the room, Harrison stood talking with the Governor of Massachusetts, but his eyes never strayed far from his children. He watched Maya with a quiet, fierce pride. The starved, bruised child from the street corner had transformed into a poised, beautiful young girl whose gentle dignity captivated everyone who spoke to her.

However, the shadows of the past were never far behind.

The heavy double doors of the ballroom opened, and Julian Sterling walked in, flanked by two corporate aides and a wealthy socialite on his arm. Sterling was fifty, with sleek silver hair, cold blue eyes, and a predatory smile that had earned him a reputation as the most ruthless corporate raider in the northeast.

Sterling’s eyes swept over the room until they landed on Harrison Cross. A sneer formed on his lips.

He picked up a champagne flute from a tray and walked straight toward Harrison, stopping three feet away.

"Harrison," Sterling said smoothly, his tone dripping with fake warmth. "I hear congratulations are in order. The great recluse of Beacon Hill has finally opened his heart—and his checkbook—to adopt a charity case from the streets."

The surrounding guests went quiet, sensing the sudden drop in temperature around Harrison Cross.

Harrison didn't flinch. He took a slow sip of his mineral water, looking down at Sterling as if he were an unpleasant stain on the carpet. "Julian. I didn't realize the Foundation had extended an invitation to men facing three separate federal antitrust investigations."

Sterling’s smile tightened slightly, his blue eyes flashing with venom. "Careful, Harrison. You think you're untouchable because you bought a few shipping lines. But I know where that girl came from."

Sterling turned his gaze toward the staircase, looking directly at Maya.

"She’s Thomas Vance’s daughter," Sterling murmured, his voice dropping so only Harrison could hear. "Her father tried to sue my company for ten million dollars before he suffered his 'accident.' Her uncle sold her legal rights to my legal team two years ago to ensure no further lawsuits were ever filed against Sterling Enterprises. That girl is walking liability, Harrison. And if I choose to challenge her adoption in court using Richard Vance’s signed affidavits... I will tear your family apart in the press."

Harrison stepped closer to Sterling, his broad frame completely blocking Sterling’s view of Maya.

"Try it, Julian," Harrison whispered, his voice so dark and icy that Sterling’s breath caught in his throat. "Bring Richard Vance to a courtroom. Bring your legal affidavits. And I will ensure that every document regarding your plant's safety violations, your bribery of state inspectors, and Thomas Vance’s death is splashed across the front page of every newspaper in the country before sunrise."

Sterling stared at Harrison, realizing in a horrific second that Harrison hadn't just adopted the girl—he had spent the last two months gathering enough leverage to completely destroy Sterling’s empire.