Arthur: I was standing right behind you the entire time, Victoria.
Victoria froze. The color instantly drained from her face, her confident smile collapsing into a look of absolute panic as her eyes widened in horror.
Victoria: Arthur, wait... you don't understand, I was just trying to keep her away from Leo—
Arthur: I saw everything. I saw you scream at a terrified child, and I saw Elena shield him with her own body while you raised your hand to strike her.
Victoria: It's not what it looks like! She's turning him against me! I'm going to be his stepmother, I have to establish discipline!
Arthur: You will never be his stepmother. The wedding is canceled.
Victoria gasped, taking a staggering step backward as if she had been physically slapped. Her hands trembled as she reached out to touch Arthur's arm, but he pulled away with disgust.
Victoria: You can't cancel the wedding! The press release went out yesterday! The trust fund merger, the real estate contracts—our families have millions riding on this union!
Arthur: I don't care about the millions. My son's safety and peace of mind are priceless. Security!
Two tall security guards in black suits stepped out from the side corridor instantly, their posture rigid as they waited for their boss's instructions.
Arthur: Strip Victoria of her security clearance. Escort her off my property immediately and ensure she never sets foot on Sterling ground again.
Victoria: Arthur, please! You're making a massive mistake! You can't do this to me! I am a Vance!
Arthur: Strip her security! Throw her out!
The security guards firmly grabbed Victoria by her arms. She kicked and screamed, her high heels dragging along the smooth marble floor, leaving faint scuff marks behind as her loud shrieks echoed through the massive high-ceilinged estate until the front doors slammed shut.
Silence washed over the grand foyer. Elena sat motionless on the cold floor, holding Leo close to her heart as the young boy slowly stopped crying, his tiny fingers clinging tightly to her uniform sleeve.
Arthur: Are you alright, Elena?
Elena: I... I am fine, Mr. Sterling. I'm so sorry if I caused a disruption. I just couldn't let her hurt him.
Arthur: You don't need to apologize to me. You protected my son when I wasn't close enough to do it myself.
Arthur knelt down on one knee, reaching out to touch his son's head gently. Leo shifted slightly, looking up at his father with big, watery eyes, but he kept one hand firmly wrapped around Elena's fingers.
Leo: Daddy... Miss Elena saved me. Lady Victoria was mean. She said bad words about Mommy.
Arthur's jaw tightened, a flash of deep sorrow passing through his blue eyes before he forced a soft, reassuring smile for his son.
Arthur: I know, buddy. Lady Victoria won't ever come back here again. I promise you.
Elena: Let me take him to the kitchen, Mr. Sterling. I can clean his scraped knee and get him some warm milk.
Arthur: Thank you, Elena. Please bring him to my study once you're done. We need to talk about your role in this house.
Elena's heart skipped a beat. She wondered if, despite Arthur's kind words, she was still going to lose her job for stepping out of line and confronting a powerful guest. She nodded quietly and lifted Leo in her arms, walking down the long, quiet hallway toward the estate kitchen.
Leave a Comment