Chapter 2 - The Unmasking in the BallroomGabriel didn't order Marcus to snap Daniel’s neck. He simply raised two fingers, and Marcus released his grip, letting Daniel collapse onto the marble floorboards, coughing and gasping for breath.
"Julian," Gabriel commanded without turning around. "Call the city prosecutor's office and the Chief of Police. Marcus, secure the exits. Nobody leaves this banquet hall."
I smoothed Sophie’s hair, gently wiping the tears from her cheek. "Sweetheart, go with Uncle Nathaniel to the car. He has hot chocolate and a blanket waiting for you."
"Mommy... are you coming?" Sophie whimpered softly.
"In a few minutes, baby," I whispered, kissing her forehead. "Mommy just has to finish a conversation."
Nathaniel gently took Sophie’s hand, guiding her out through the side entrance away from the crowd.
Once my daughter was safe, I turned around and walked straight into the grand banquet hall. Gabriel and Julian walked on either side of me, framing my entrance like a pair of dark monoliths.
The fifty guests inside were still whispering, drinking champagne, and looking toward the head table where Clare Bennett sat in her expensive pale silk dress, dabbing at a tiny red fruit punch stain with a linen napkin, looking thoroughly annoyed and self-important.
Daniel stumbled into the room behind us, holding his bruised neck, his suit rumpled, shouting frantically, "Clare! Clare, call your father! These men are attacking me!"
Clare Bennett stood up from her chair, her eyes narrowing as she looked at me and my brothers. "What is the meaning of this drama?! Daniel, why are you letting these hooligans ruin our evening?!"
I walked down the central aisle, stopping right in front of Clare’s table.
"Our evening?" I asked softly, my voice carrying clearly across the silent hall. "You mean the birthday party I organized and paid for using my own private inheritance?"
Clare sneered, holding her chin high. "Daniel told me you were just a pathetic, unemployed housewife living off his income. He's leaving you for me, darling. So take your brat and get out."
Julian Bennett pulled a thick leather binder from his briefcase, tossing it flat onto the center of Clare’s table.
CRASH!
May you like
"Miss Clare Bennett," Julian announced, his voice ringing like a bronze bell through the ballroom. "You are currently sitting at a table paid for by Vance Global Enterprises. Furthermore, the $450,000 apartment you currently occupy on 5th Avenue was purchased using embezzled corporate funds stolen from Vance Logistics by your lover, Daniel."
Clare’s face went completely paper-white.
Related Stories
