The pristine marble foyer of the Texas estate gleamed under the crystal chandeliers, but the atmosphere inside was colder than ice.

Emily clutched her black satin purse against her ribs, her knuckles white as Eleanor Sterling leaned in, her eyes narrowed with sheer hatred.

Eleanor: You are nothing but an opportunistic gold-digger! Know your place in this house!

Emily: Mrs. Sterling, please... I’ve taken care of your brother's trust for three years! I gave everything to this family!

Eleanor: You gave nothing! You wormed your way into my father’s final will, pretending to be a dutiful nurse!

Before Emily could take a single step backward, Eleanor’s lace-covered arms lunged forward with sudden, violent force.

The impact caught Emily right below the collarbone, sending her spinning across the polished stone.

Emily crashed hard onto the marble floor, her purse skittering across the floorboards as pain shot up her wrist.

Tears spilled over her eyelashes, dripping down her flushed cheeks as formal guests gathered around the hallway pillars in stunned silence.

Emily: I gave everything to this family! How could you do this to me?!

Eleanor stood over her, adjusting her diamond drop earrings with an arrogant, triumphant smirk.

Eleanor: Because you are a paid servant, Emily. And security will throw you onto the street where you belong!

The heavy front double doors blew open with a deafening boom that rattled the glass transom overhead.

A towering figure clad in a bespoke black suit stormed inside, his eyes flashing with lethal fury.

Julian: Take your hands off her right now!