Chapter 1
The Whispers Behind The Heavy Mahogany Door
The brass doorknob turned with a agonizingly slow, deliberate click that echoed through the vast, dimly lit master bedroom.
I didn't hesitate for a single second; I grabbed the heavy iron poker sitting beside the fireplace and stepped directly in front of Clara.
The door swung inward, revealing Arthur Vance’s personal head of security, a towering man named Sterling, flanked by two burly guards in dark suits.
Sterling’s eyes flicked over the bloodstain on Clara’s gown, then down to my defensive posture, a cold, mocking smile playing on his lips.
“Mr. Vance, your father-in-law expressed concern regarding your bride’s sudden emotional instability,” Sterling said, his voice entirely devoid of warmth.
“Dr. Mercer is waiting downstairs with a sedative to ensure Mrs. Vance rests comfortably through her wedding night.”
“She doesn't need a sedative,” I replied, my grip tightening on the iron poker until my knuckles turned stark white.
“And if any of you take another step into this room, I will treat it as a home invasion and act accordingly.”
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Sterling’s smile vanished, replaced by an icy, calculated stare that revealed he was accustomed to making people disappear without a trace.
“You don't understand your position here, Julian,” Sterling warned softly. “You were brought into this family to sign papers, not to play hero.”
