CHAPTER 2
Before Daniel could open his mouth to offer an excuse, two of Arthur's private security operatives stepped forward, seizing the forty-year-old executive by both arms and pinning him against a polished marble pillar.
"Hey! Get your hands off me!" Daniel shrieked, his arrogant composure completely shattering as his gold Rolex watch scraped against the hard stone. "Do you know who I am? I am the vice president of Sterling Logistics!"
"You were the vice president, Daniel," Arthur stated flatly, stopping two feet away from the trembling man, his gold pocket watch chain glinting under the ballroom lights.
"As of thirty seconds ago, your employment is terminated, your stock options are permanently canceled, and your corporate accounts are frozen," Arthur added, his tone chillingly calm.
Chloe took a hasty, panicked step backward, her diamond choker sparkling under the chandeliers as she tried to blend into the crowd of terrified onlookers.
"And you," Arthur said, slowly turning his formidable gaze toward the platinum blonde woman whose hands were shaking uncontrollably against her green gown.
"You struck a helpless six-year-old child so hard that you knocked her tooth onto the floor," Arthur continued, his voice dropping into a razor-sharp, lethal register.
"I... she ruined my dress! It's a custom Italian silk gown!" Chloe stammered out, her voice rising in a high-pitched, pathetic attempt to justify her cruelty.
May you like
Clara gently lifted Lily into her arms, standing tall in her black off-the-shoulder designer gown, her vintage auburn waves framed by tears of fierce, unshakeable maternal protection.
"She spilled juice because Daniel shoved her into the dessert table, Chloe," Clara said, her voice ringing clear and strong across the silent room. "You hit my daughter to cover up his deliberate cruelty."
