Chapter 1
The heavy, suffocating silence inside the grand marble foyer pressed down upon Daniel’s shoulders like a physical weight.
Arthur Vance did not blink as his piercing, frost-blue eyes locked onto his cowardly son standing near the sweeping staircase.
"Nine hours, Daniel," Arthur repeated, his deep, gravelly voice echoing off the high vaulted ceilings of the mansion.
"You sat by the fireplace drinking vintage bourbon while your five-year-old boy turned blue on the terrace."
Claire stepped forward in her emerald green silk dress, her chin tilted upward in an arrogant display of defensive defiance.
"He was crying endlessly and disrupting my evening cocktail party, Arthur!" Claire snapped, her voice dripping with venomous entitlement.
"A child needs discipline, and harsh weather builds character whether you approve of it or not!"
Arthur slowly handed the shivering, snow-covered Leo to his trusted head housekeeper standing quietly in the shadows.
May you like
"Take him to the west wing medical suite, wrap him in heated blankets, and call Dr. Hayes immediately," Arthur instructed softly.
The housekeeper nodded urgently, rushing away with the freezing boy pressed tightly against her warm chest.
