Chapter 10 - Blood Is Thicker Than Gold
Julian Vance was shoved through the heavy double doors of the mansion into a blinding storm of camera flashes.
The roar of journalists, paparazzi, and onlookers outside echoed faintly through the cavernous foyer.
Inside the grand ballroom, the remaining guests stood in stunned, uneasy silence, unsure of what to do next.
Evelyn turned her back on the doorway, focusing entirely on the young woman clutching her crimson gown.
She brought both of her hands up to cup Clara’s face, tenderly examining the red welt that had begun to purple.
"I am so sorry, Clara," Evelyn whispered, tears finally breaking free from her own dark eyes.
"I was so focused on keeping this family strong that I invited a venomous snake right into our sanctuary," Evelyn wept.
Clara shook her head, wrapping her arms tightly around her mother's neck and resting her head on Evelyn’s shoulder.
"You saved my life, Mom," Clara whispered through her tears.
"When he hit me, I thought no one would believe me... but you fought for me without hesitating," Clara said softly.
"I will burn down the entire world before I let anyone lay a finger on you, my baby," Evelyn promised fiercely.
The mother and daughter stood embraced in the center of the hall, united in their survival and unbreakable bond.
Marcus approached them quietly, holding a glass of ice water and a wrapped ice pack for Clara’s bruised cheek.
"Mrs. Mercer, the estate is secure, and the guests are being escorted out by local deputies," Marcus reported respectfully.
"Thank you, Marcus, you have our deepest gratitude," Evelyn said, taking the ice pack and gently pressing it to Clara's face.
Suddenly, Julian’s discarded burner phone on the edge of the splintered banquet table lit up with an incoming alert.
The phone vibrated intensely against the hard mahogany, buzzing loudly three times in the quiet room.
Evelyn frowned, handing the ice pack to Clara before stepping over the broken glass to pick up the glowing device.
A new text message appeared across the lock screen from an unsaved number displaying an encrypted overseas code.
"Julian, the hit team is in position near Clara’s private apartment as planned," the chilling text message read.
"Confirm the marriage certificate is signed so we can execute the secondary phase tonight," the message concluded.
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Evelyn’s breath hitched in her throat as she stared at the glowing screen in sheer, suffocating horror.
Julian Vance had been locked in handcuffs, but the deadly nightmare targeting her daughter was only just beginning.
