Chapter 3 - The intruder at the Gates
"Get Lily inside the house right now, Evelyn," Mark ordered, his voice dangerously quiet.
Evelyn stopped on the grass, her navy blue floral wrap dress fluttering in the warm breeze as she glared at her son.
"I will do no such thing, Mark!" Evelyn declared arrogantly. "Victor is our invited guest!"
Grandfather Robert stepped out onto the porch, clutching a crystal glass, his burgundy shirt stained with sweat.
"Let him speak, Mark," Robert said, his voice trembling with an underlying, pathetic fear. "He holds the deeds to the company."
Tessa spat a blade of grass from her mouth, standing up slowly while fixing her blonde hair.
"You really thought you could run away from the family business, Mark?" Tessa sneered, her voice full of spite.
"You left the military, but the syndicate never forgets a prodigal son," she added, taking a step toward Victor.
Victor walked slowly down the patio steps, pulling a heavy silver envelope from his jacket pocket.
May you like
Lily hid her face against Mark's neck, crying quietly as the tension on the lawn reached a boiling point.
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