Chapter 2
Nathaniel lowered the black tablet slowly, his silver tie catching the warm ambient lighting of the room.
He towered over Clara, his expression stripped of every ounce of marital warmth and affection.
Clara babbled incoherently, clutching her swollen belly as a shield against his rising anger.
She swore on her unborn child that she never meant to harm anyone with her elaborate lies.
Nathaniel laughed bitterly, a harsh, humorless sound that echoed coldly off the marble walls.
He asked her how she expected him to believe anything after watching her orchestrate a false assault.
Clara wept louder, rocking back and forth on the expensive marble floor with theatrical exaggeration.
Nathaniel pointed down at the lavender dress, asking if the fabric felt as heavy as her guilt.
Clara tried to crawl toward his legs, but Nathaniel stepped back with undisguised disgust.
He reminded her that security cameras covered every square inch of this fortress for a reason.
Clara's eyes darted frantically toward the ceiling dome camera, cursing the very technology she ignored.
Victoria walked two steps closer, her burnt-orange suit rustling softly in the hushed room.
She spoke in a low, even tone, noting that amateur criminals always underestimate surveillance infrastructure.
Clara whipped her head around, hissing venomously at Victoria for ruining her carefully constructed life.
Nathaniel stepped between them instantly, shielding Victoria with a protective, authoritative posture.
He warned Clara never to speak to or look at Victoria with hostility ever again.
Clara stared up in horror, realizing her husband was defending a stranger over his own pregnant wife.
Nathaniel explained that Victoria possessed more integrity in her little finger than Clara possessed entirely.
Clara clutched her head, screaming that the stress was harming the baby and threatening miscarriage.
Nathaniel remained completely unmoved by her dramatic outbursts and calculated emotional blackmail.
He knew every trick in her playbook now, having witnessed the raw footage of her malice.
The US flag near the glass bookshelf fluttered slightly from an open air vent above.
It stood as a silent reminder of law, order, and accountability within these luxurious walls.
Nathaniel crouched down slightly to Clara's eye level, his voice dropping to an icy whisper.
He told her that her time in this mansion was officially over as of this exact second.
Clara shrieked in absolute terror, refusing to pack her bags or leave her lavish lifestyle behind.
Nathaniel signaled toward the hallway doors, summoning private estate security with a single hand gesture.
Two burly guards in dark suits appeared instantly, awaiting their master's immediate command.
Clara was dragged backward across the marble, kicking and screaming obscenities into the pristine air.
The living room grew quiet once more, leaving only the faint hum of the security camera.
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Nathaniel stood up straight, smoothing his navy blue suit jacket with deliberate precision.
He turned to face Victoria, who remained as calm and composed as she had been initially.
