Chapter 3 - The Fortress of the KingLeaving a small town in a private helicopter is easy; facing the wolves waiting in Manhattan is where the real war begins.
Within two hours, Hazel’s tiny cottage was surrounded by six black SUVs carrying Wyatt’s private executive security team.
Wyatt refused to let Hazel or Daisy stay in Pinewood for another night. While his team carefully packed Hazel’s personal belongings, Daisy’s favorite toys, and the hand-sewn quilt left by Hazel’s late mother, Wyatt held Daisy in his arms the entire time, refusing to put her down for even a second.
By 8:00 PM, the luxury helicopter landed on the private helipad atop the Coleman Tower Penthouse in Manhattan.
When the heavy glass doors opened, Hazel stepped out into a world she had only seen in magazines. The penthouse was a sprawling, multi-level masterpiece of white marble, floor-to-ceiling glass windows, and warm ambient lighting overlooking the dazzling skyline of New York City.
A team of four private staff members, including a renowned pediatric nurse and a private chef, stood in a polite line waiting for them.
"Welcome home, Miss Campbell," the head butler said, bowing respectfully. "Dr. Vance has prepared the nursery suite for young Miss Daisy."
Hazel felt overwhelmed. The contrast between her cramped cottage with its leaking roof and this palace in the clouds was staggering. She looked down at her faded jeans and worn sweater, suddenly feeling acutely out of place.
Wyatt noticed her hesitation immediately. He handed Daisy gently to Nurse Elena, who smiled warmly and carried the sleepy toddler toward a bright, pastel-decorated nursery down the hall.
Once Daisy was settled, Wyatt walked over to Hazel, taking both of her hands in his. His eyes were soft, filled with concern.
"You look terrified," Wyatt said gently.
"I am," Hazel admitted, looking around the massive room. "Wyatt... this is your world. It's huge, dangerous, and loud. In Pinewood, people gossiped about me at the diner. Here... your family, your board of directors, the media... they'll tear us apart."
Wyatt brought her hands to his lips, kissing her knuckles softly. "I let them control my life for fifteen months because I thought I had nothing left to lose. But I have you now. And I have Daisy. I will tear down Coleman Enterprises brick by brick before I let anyone hurt you again."
Before Hazel could answer, Wyatt’s personal assistant, Marcus, ran into the living room holding a glowing tablet. His face was pale.
"Mr. Coleman, we have a major situation," Marcus said urgently. "Your mother just leaked a story to the Wall Street Journal and Page Six."
Wyatt’s jaw tightened. "What did she say?"
Marcus tapped the screen, presenting the headlines:
"COLEMAN ENTERPRISES IN TURMOIL: CEO WYATT COLEMAN ABANDONS MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR MERGER FOR UNVERIFIED SMALL-TOWN WAITRESS AND ALLEGED CHILD."
"VICTORIA STERLING BREAKS SILENCE: CLAIMS COLEMAN WAS VICTIM OF PARENTAGE EXTORTION SCHEME."
"The stock is already tumbling in late-night futures trading," Marcus warned. "The board of directors has called an emergency vote of no-confidence for 9:00 AM tomorrow morning. If you don't publicly deny the child or agree to a court-ordered DNA test behind closed doors, they will remove you as CEO."
Hazel felt her blood run cold. "Wyatt... your mother is going to ruin you. If you lose your company because of us—"
"I won't lose anything," Wyatt interrupted, his voice dropping into a register of terrifying calm. "Marcus, call our chief legal officer. Tell him to prepare a press conference at 8:00 AM tomorrow at the Coleman Headquarters."
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"A press conference?" Marcus gasped. "Sir, the board wants discretion—"
"I don't give a damn what the board wants," Wyatt declared, his eyes flashing with lethal determination. "If they want a war, I'm going to give them a spectacle."
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