Chapter 2
The brushed steel doors of the private executive elevator slid open with a soft, mechanical hiss that silenced the entire floor. A tall, impeccably dressed woman in a charcoal gray designer suit stepped out into the hallway with lethal grace.
Her silver-streaked hair was pulled back into a flawless chignon, and her cold, piercing blue eyes scanned the room with absolute dominion. Beatrice instinctively shrank back, recognizing the terrifying silhouette of Katherine Vance, the billionaire founder and supreme global CEO.
"Who dares touch my daughter in this building?" Katherine's voice cut through the air like a razor-sharp blade. The silence that followed was so absolute that one could hear the distant hum of the building's central ventilation system.
Chloe lowered the phone receiver back onto its cradle, never once breaking eye contact with her powerful mother. "It was Beatrice, Mother, and she made sure to leave a permanent reminder across my back," Chloe answered steadily.
Katherine’s gaze snapped toward Beatrice, locking onto the older woman with a murderous glare that promised total annihilation. "You raised your hands against my flesh and blood inside my own corporation?" Katherine whispered, stepping forward with deliberate slowness.
Beatrice fell to her knees on the polished hardwood floor, her sophisticated facade shattering into pathetic, sobbing hysterics. "Mrs. Vance, I had no idea... I swear to God I didn't know she was your daughter!" Beatrice whimpered frantically.
"Ignorance is not a defense against federal felony charges and corporate execution, Beatrice," Katherine stated with chilling finality. Marcus tried to slip quietly toward the emergency exit, but two armed corporate security guards blocked his path instantly.
"Where do you think you're going, Marcus? You watched her whip my daughter and you did nothing," Katherine accused coldly. Marcus froze, dropping his head in total defeat as his career vanished into thin air within a single microsecond.
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Katherine walked over to Chloe, gently inspecting the bloodstain on her white button-down shirt with a look of suppressed fury. "We are leaving for federal court right now, Chloe, and we are going to strip them of every single cent," Katherine promised.
The US flag hanging proudly in the office corner fluttered softly as the heavy oak doors closed behind them.
