Chapter 2: The Sound of the Lock
Charles took a step closer, the heavy silver tip of his cane clicking softly against the hardwood floor. "You thought you could marry into this family and destroy it from the inside, Victoria? You are a nobody from Upstate New York. My lawyers will dismantle your reputation before you can even open your mouth. And if you dare tell Liam a single word of your little fairy tale, I will ensure he loses every dime, every asset, and every right to the Vance name."
Victoria’s body trembled violently. She knew the depth of Charles’s cruelty. She had seen the missing-persons files of former employees who dared to whistleblow against the corporation. "He loves me, Charles. He won't believe you."
"Liam is a Vance," Charles hissed, leaning down so close she could smell the expensive scotch on his breath. "Blood is thicker than water. He will always choose power. He will always choose me. You are nothing but an replaceable ornament."
Blinded by his own toxic authority and feeling completely in control of the situation, Charles raised the heavy cane, intending to strike her laptop on the desk, to smash the hard drives containing the damning files, and to terrify his new daughter-in-law into absolute submission forever.
Victoria closed her eyes, praying for a miracle. She felt the heavy weight of despair pressing down on her chest. There was no way out. The Vance empire was too massive, its walls too thick, its influence too deep.
Click.
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The heavy, soundproofed mahogany door handle suddenly rattled.
Charles froze, his arm still raised in mid-air. He frowned, his brows furrowing in sudden irritation. The entire staff had strict orders that the bridal suite was off-limits. He turned toward the violent, sudden noise as the heavy lock disengaged with a sharp, echoing snap.
