Chapter 2 - Blood Is Thicker Than Contracts
Julian’s breath hitched in his throat as the heavy silence settled over the opulent hallway. The man in the black suit was Christian Vance, a name whispered with reverence and dread in every corporate boardroom from New York to Chicago. Christian did not blink as he closed the distance between them, his bodyguards sealing off the exit behind him with terrifying efficiency.
"Christian," Julian stammered, stepping back until his spine hit the cold marble wall. "This isn't what it looks like. We were just having a family discussion about the future."
"A family discussion," Christian repeated, his voice dangerously quiet. He didn't look at Julian; instead, his gaze shifted past him to where Elena sat huddled on the floor. "Is that what you call striking a pregnant woman while she carries your child? My nephew, or niece?"
Elena looked up, tears cutting tracks through the dust on her pale cheeks. "Christian, make him stop. He took the keys to the trust account. He said the baby has no claim to the estate."
Clara remained frozen in her gold dress, her eyes darting between Julian and Christian like a cornered animal trying to find an escape route. She had spent the last six months orchestrating this exact dynamic, whispering doubts into Julian’s ear, convincing him that Elena was a liability to their social standing. Now, looking at the cold fury radiating from Christian, Clara realized her carefully constructed house of cards was collapsing into ash.
"You lied to me, Clara," Julian suddenly snapped, pivoting to point an accusing finger at the blonde woman in the gold dress. "You said her family wouldn't care if we pushed her out!"
"Shut your mouth, Julian," Clara hissed, her voice losing its polished composure. "Don't drag me into your domestic violence."
"Silence," Christian ordered, raising a single gloved hand. The word carried such absolute authority that both Julian and Clara snapped their jaws shut instantly. Christian knelt beside Elena, his expression softening just a fraction as he offered her a warm, clean handkerchief. "Can you stand, little bird?"
Elena nodded, taking his steady hand and rising carefully to her feet. Christian kept one arm securely around her waist, supporting her weight without hesitation. He turned his chilling gaze back to Julian, who was sweating profusely under the harsh lights.
May you like
"Your company, your assets, and your freedom belong to my family," Christian said smoothly, pulling a thick manila folder from his inner suit pocket. "Sign these transfer papers right now, or my lawyers will make sure you spend the next decade rotting in a federal penitentiary."
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