My Husband Is An International Idol

Chapter 24: The Visit

After everyone had gone to bed, Victor sat alone inside his hotel room.

The photograph rested on the desk before him.

Beside it lay dozens of notes. His investigation board was almost complete.

But one final piece remained missing.

The truth.

Victor stared at the photograph of young Chris and Liliana standing beside their families.

He knew he was done looking through archives, studying records and chasing old photographs.

Tomorrow he would begin asking questions directly.

And the first person he intended to speak with was Lucia Sterling.

Because if anyone knew the truth behind the connection between the St. Claires and the Sterlings, it would be her.

And Victor had a feeling that tomorrow’s conversation might change everything.

The next day Victor woke up earlier than usual. Not because he wanted to, but because he couldn’t sleep.

His investigation had reached a turning point. Every clue he found led him toward the same conclusion.

The St. Claire Family and the Sterling Family were deeply connected. It was far beyond ordinary friendship.

And now he intended to speak with the one person who might know the entire story.

Lucia Sterling—the grandmother and the woman who had witnessed everything.

Victor glanced at the folder beside his bed. It contained twenty years of history.

A fallen corporation. A tragic accident. Two children growing up side by side. And a mystery nobody seemed willing to explain.

He took a deep breath.

Then headed for Sterling Village.

Meanwhile, life continued normally inside the flower-covered house.

At least, normal by their standards.

As usual, Liliana was cleaning. Emily sat at the dining table eating fruit while watching.

"You know," Emily said thoughtfully, "I think you have a problem."

Liliana didn’t even look up.

"What problem?"

"You clean things that are already clean."

"They can always be cleaner."

Emily pointed dramatically.

"That’s exactly what someone with a problem would say."

Liliana ignored her.

Grandmother Lucia sat nearby calmly drinking tea.

Unaware that a journalist was currently driving toward their house.

And without knowing that Matthew St. Claire’s security team had already noticed.

Inside an unremarkable black vehicle parked beneath a tree, a man lowered a pair of binoculars. Then picked up his phone.

"He’s moving."

The voice on the other end responded immediately. "Toward the house?"

"Yes."

"Chairman has been informed."

The guard nodded.

Then ended the call.

The protection around Liliana Sterling had remained invisible for twenty years. And today should be no different.

Victor finally arrived shortly before noon.

The familiar countryside road stretched ahead. And the flower-covered house appeared in the distance. Exactly as he remembered.

It was warm, welcoming and completely ordinary. A strange contrast to the mystery surrounding it.

Victor parked nearby. Then sat silently for several moments gathering his thoughts and preparing his questions.

This wasn’t an interrogation. At least, it wasn’t supposed to be. Because he simply wanted answers.

He just wanted the truth. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Finally, he stepped out of the car and approached the front gate.

Inside the garden, Liliana was watering flowers.

She loved this time of day. The sunlight and the fresh air. It was a quiet afternoon.

It helped her think. But unfortunately, the quiet atmlydisappeared.

Because Emily suddenly froze.

"Oh."

Liliana glanced up. "What?"

Emily pointed toward the gate.

A man stood outside holding a folder and wearing a professional suit.

Liliana immediately recognized him. Her stomach dropped.

It was Victor Reyes. The journalist. The same person who had spent weeks investigating Chris and responsible for several articles.

He clearly wasn’t giving up.

"Oh." Emily’s expression changed immediately. "That’s not good."

"No."

"It is very not good." Liliana agreed.

Victor stopped several feet away from the gate, not wanting to appear threatening. Not wanting to create unnecessary tension.

He offered a polite smile. "Miss Sterling."

Liliana remained calm. At least externally.

"Mr. Reyes."

Victor nodded. "You know who I am."

"Everyone in the village knows who you are."

Fair enough. Victor couldn’t argue with that.

Several awkward seconds passed. Then he spoke carefully.

"I’d like to ask a few questions."

Emily immediately stepped forward. Like an overprotective guard dog.

"No."

Emily crossed her arms. "No questions."

"I only need—"

"No."

Victor tried again. "This won’t take long."

"No."

Liliana closed her eyes.

Of course this was happening. It really was.

Before the situation could become any stranger, another voice interrupted.

"Emily."

Everyone turned.

Lucia Sterling stood on the porch. Calm, composed and dignified.

The old woman adjusted her glasses before looking directly at Victor.

He suddenly understood something important. This woman was far sharper than people realized.

Lucia slowly descended the steps then approached the gate.

Emily looked concerned. "Grandma."

"It’s fine." Lucia smiled gently.

Then turned toward Victor. "You’ve been looking into my family."

The statement wasn’t a question.

Victor nodded honestly. "Yes."

Lucia studied him. Not angry or hostile. Simply thoughtful.

Then she surprised everyone. "Would you like tea?"

Silence.

"What?"

Lucia smiled. "Tea."

Victor had prepared for many possibilities. Suspicion, anger or refusal. But being invited inside was not one of them.

Half an hour later, Victor sat inside the Sterling home. A cup of tea resting before him.

The atmosphere felt strangely normal which somehow made everything more stressful.

Lucia sat across from him while Liliana and Emily remained nearby watching carefully.

Victor finally spoke. "Mrs. Sterling."

Lucia nodded. "You’ve known the St. Claire Family for a long time."

A small smile appeared. "Very long."

"How long?"

The old woman looked toward the window. As if remembering. "Before Chris was born."

Victor’s pulse quickened. "And before Liliana?"

"Yes."

Another piece confirmed.

Victor continued carefully. "The two families were close."

Lucia laughed softly. "Close?"

The word amused her very much.

Victor frowned. "Yes."

Lucia shook her head. "That’s an understatement."

The room became quiet.

Victor’s heartbeat accelerated because this was the closest anyone had come to confirming his suspicions. For the first time, directly.

Then Lucia continued. "The St. Claires and Sterlings were family in everything except blood."

Victor froze. The statement landed like a thunderbolt.

Family. Not friends, but family.

His pulse pounded. Questions exploded inside his mind. Dozens of them. No, hundreds of them.

Yet before he could ask another one, Lucia gently placed her teacup down.

Then smiled. The kind smile of a grandmother but somehow felt dangerous.

"You’ve spent weeks investigating us."

Victor nodded. "Yes."

Lucia studied him for several moments.

Then asked softly. "Tell me, Mr. Reyes."

Victor straightened. "Yes?"

"What exactly do you think you’ve discovered?"

The room became very silent.

Because Victor realized he wasn’t the only person asking questions.

And somehow, he had the feeling Lucia Sterling already knew exactly how much he had uncovered.