Chapter 7 - The Confrontation at the Gate
Ten minutes later, three dark luxury sedans pulled up to the grand front entrance of the Sterling Estate, their tires crunching heavily over the wet gravel driveway.
The doors opened, and Victoria Vance stepped out onto the damp stone steps, accompanied by two men in expensive grey suits carrying leather briefcases, and her father, Arthur Vance—a frail, silver-haired man with severe, ruthless eyes.
Victoria was dressed impeccably once more, wearing a long beige trench coat over a high-collared white silk blouse, her dark hair pinned back into a flawless, severe bun. But beneath her heavy makeup, dark circles shadowed her eyes, and her knuckles were tight as she clutched her designer handbag.
Julian stepped through the massive wooden double doors—the very doors he had burst through the night before—and stood at the top of the marble steps. He was flanked by his head of security, a broad-shouldered man named Harrison, and two uniformed police officers.
Victoria stopped at the bottom of the steps, her eyes flashing with a mix of fury and bitter triumph.
"Julian," Arthur Vance barked, stepping forward with his silver-tipped cane. "What is the meaning of this embarrassment?! Expelling my daughter from your home like a common criminal in the middle of the night?!"
Julian looked down at the old man, his expression completely impassive. "Your daughter committed an assault inside my home, Arthur. She is fortunate I didn't break her arm myself."
"Assault?!" Victoria sneered, taking a step up the marble stairs, her stiletto heels clicking sharply against the wet stone. "Don't be dramatic, Julian! A discipline issue with a servant and an illegitimate child is not a crime! You are ruining a multi-billion dollar merger over a hysterical overreaction!"
"Is that what you think it was?" Julian asked softly.
He pulled his smartphone from his pocket, pressing a button on the screen.
Instantly, the external speakers mounted around the estate's courtyard activated, broadcasting the crisp, high-definition audio recorded from the foyer the night before.
"I am going to teach him respect before I throw both of you out onto the street!" Victoria's voice echoed across the fog-drenched driveway, loud, screeching, and unmistakably venomous.
Followed immediately by the loud, sharp CRACK of the whip striking Martha's back, and the helpless, terrified sob of four-year-old Leo.
Victoria froze mid-step, her face draining of every drop of color until she looked like a walking corpse. The two lawyers behind her shifted uncomfortably, exchanging quick, panicked glances.
May you like
"You... you recorded me?" Victoria whispered, her voice cracking for the first time.
"Every second," Julian replied smoothly. "And three minutes ago, that video file was delivered to the State District Attorney's office, along with the medical report on Martha's injuries and your private Swiss clinic inquiries."
