Ethan Sterling never liked birthday parties and never for once celebrated his. Ever since he was a little kid, he absented himself from every birthday celebration that was held at the Sterling's villa until he went to high school.
So it took the whole family by surprise when they heard that Ethan was celebrating his 32nd birthday. Word was that he was having a small party at the Sterling's villa and the whole family was invited.
His uncles couldn't help but wonder what he was up to this time. They had asked him to step down officially and he said he would give them his reply during his birthday celebration.
Maybe he wanted to mark the end of his years as CEO in style. Even if the invitation notice had come a bit late - the day before to be exact - his family members did their absolute best to be present, even if it meant clearing their schedules.
No one wanted to miss the arrogant Ethan's fall from grace.
So Saturday morning, decorators came around the villa under Lawrence's supervision to set the garden area for the event which would be taking place in the evening.
And when evening came, Everyone he invited was present, all dressed to the nines and waiting in anticipation for the outcome, which they already knew. Ethan would have to resign.
Clifford Sterling sighed tiredly before getting out of his car. He had done all he could to make sure that Ethan got married before the deadline his grandfather gave him.
Ever since Grandfather Sterling passed away two years ago and his will was read, Clifford wasted no time in trying to make Ethan see reasons why he should get married. But his blockhead son, stubborn as a mule decided to do his things his way and refused to get married.
He realized that he couldn't force his son, a grown man to get married and decided to let him be. Maybe he didn't want to be CEO. Maybe this was for the best.
As he stepped out of the car, he came to face with his elder brother, Gerald Sterling.
"Clifford, so nice to see you made it to the party." Gerald smiled, almost fooling a passerby with his less-than-genuine smiles.
Clifford knew better to take anything his envious elder brother says to heart.
"Of course I'd be here. It's my son's birthday celebration afterall."
"Yes." Gerald hummed. "And something tells me it will be a celebration to remember." His words carrying deeper meaning.
Clifford only nodded and walked away, not waiting to hear anything that wold ruin the day for him. If Ethan wanted to celebrate his birthday, then he would celebrate with his son.
The garden party was in full swing, but the main star of the party was nowhere to be seen. The family members stood in groups of twos and threes, dressed to the nines and discussing in hushed voices.
Grandmother Lauranne stood by herself with her two sons, Gerald and Richard talking to her but her mind was far. Why was Ethan giving up so easily?
"And here comes the birthday boy." Richard gestured with his head and true to his words, Ethan stepped into the lavishly designed garden walking like a king.
He wore a dark blue suit with a crisp white dress shirt which he left the top two buttons undone. His hair was slicked back, letting a few strand rest delicately on his forehead. He looked ravishing and could easily make any woman swoon.
The rest of the family members stood where they were, not sure if they were supposed to approach him.
He came straight to where Grandmother Lauranne stood, took her hand and kissed the back. His grandmother gave him a disapproving grunt but her face said otherwise about his actions which she secretly found charming.
The music quieted. Then he turned to face the crowd.
"Good evening everyone. I would like to thank you all for making out time to honor my sudden invitation." Ethan began, his voice smooth but laced with steel. "It's an honor to celebrate another year in the company of family, friends… and opportunists."
A polite ripple of laughter moved through the crowd — confused, nervous.
His gaze shifted, cool and unblinking, toward the cluster of uncles in the corner.
"As many of you know, there's been some… concern over my leadership of Sterling Holdings. Certain individuals believe I've lost my way — that I should step aside and let them carry on the legacy my grandfather built."
Gerald of the uncles chuckled under his breath. Richard raised an eyebrow.
Ethan tilted his head slightly, eyes sharp.
"They've forgotten, of course, that my grandfather left this legacy in my hands — not theirs — for a reason."
The room went quiet.
"He saw something in me they never bothered to look for in themselves: discipline, vision… restraint. I've built our weakest sectors into powerhouses. I've turned their quarterly losses into gains they now use to justify their worth."
He paused, letting the words settle like a blade pressed to glass.
"And now, on the eve of my birthday, they ask for my resignation."
He raised his glass slightly.
"My answer?" A pause. "No."
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
"But I will be offering them something: a full audit of their departments — every shady deal, every mismanaged fund, every 'strategic' failure buried under bureaucracy." His smile was thin. "Transparency, gentlemen. It's what we owe our shareholders, isn't it?"
His uncles shifted, Gerald turned red as his nostrils flared.
Ethan turned back to the crowd with ease.
"Now, let's get back to the part of the evening that matters — celebration." He held up his glass. "To clean slates and inconvenient truths."
He downed the champagne in one go.
"Well, not to cut short your delusions, but you haven't kept the conditions of your grandfather's will. How do you intend to keep your position as CEO now." Richard said with a smile that barely hid his irritation at Ethan's blunt words.
"And who says I haven't kept the conditions?" Ethan asked with a tilt of his head.
His family members shared glances amongst themselves.
The screen which was set up to project the agenda of the event immediately switched and displayed a certificate. Ethan's marriage certificate, to a certain Leia Sanders.
And this left the mouths of many at the party hanging.