Chapter 2 - THE MATRIARCH'S COMMAND
The heavy golden elevator doors trembled as Madam Evelyn Vance stepped onto the polished white marble floor.
Her dark brown leather gloves gripped her diamond-encrusted cane, while her sharp navy blue suit reflected the soft glow of the crystal chandeliers above.
"Touch her again, Julian, and I will personally see to it that you leave this building in handcuffs," Evelyn warned, her voice dropping into an icy, dangerous pitch.
Julian froze instantly, his face turning pale against his black dress shirt as he lowered his hand.
"Grandmother, you don't understand!" Julian stammered, frantically adjusting his charcoal grey velvet tuxedo jacket. "This girl is a nobody who barged into my private suite claiming to carry my baby!"
Clara rested her trembling fingers against the cold lobby wall, clutching her swelling stomach beneath her emerald green silk wrap dress.
Tears spilled over her dark eyelashes, but she held her ground, refusing to break under Julian's cruel stare.
Evelyn walked forward with terrifying grace, her high heels clicking rhythmically against the stone floor like a clock ticking down to disaster.
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She completely ignored Julian, stopping right in front of Clara and looking down at the trembling young woman.
"Are you alright, child?" Evelyn asked, her stern expression softening for a single, fleeting micro-second.
