Chapter 3 - THE EXPOSURE OF ELEANOR MONTGOMERY
The gala chatter instantly died down as two towering private security guards stepped forward at Ethan’s subtle gesture.
"Escort Mrs. Montgomery to the private lounge and hold her until federal officers arrive," Ethan commanded smoothly.
Eleanor scrambled to her feet, her navy blue velvet dress covered in fine glass dust from the broken champagne flute.
"You can't do this to me, Ethan! My husband controls half the banking committee in Washington!" she screamed wildly.
Ethan didn't even turn around, kneeling down instead to adjust the hem of little Chloe’s yellow ruffled dress.
"Are you hurt, little one?" Ethan asked, his icy demeanor instantly melting into profound gentleness.
Chloe shook her head softly, burying her small face into the beige uniform shirt of Hannah, the maid.
"Thank you, Mr. Vance," Hannah whispered, her voice trembling as she wiped a smudge of cream apron fabric. "She was going to kick her again."
"No one suffers in my house, Hannah," Ethan said, gently placing a hand on the maid's shoulder. "Especially not because of Eleanor's jealous lies."
In the archway above, security cameras clicked silently, recording every scattered pearl and bloodstain for the police file.
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Eleanor was dragged away by security, her shrieks echoing down the grand marble hall until the heavy mahogany doors clicked shut.
***
