Chapter 8
The heavy footsteps drew closer with terrifying speed, vibrating through the floorboards of the master bedroom. Julian stepped quickly in front of the dressing table, shielding the open blue sewing boxes with his body. He motioned for Elena to stay back near Martha, who pulled the edge of the blanket tightly over her lap with a look of stoic defiance. The doorknob of the master suite rattled violently, turning back and forth before the heavy wood was shoved open with a loud crash.
Chloe stood in the doorway, but she was no longer alone. Flanking her on either side were two burly men in identical dark grey security uniforms, their broad shoulders filling the entranceway. Chloe had traded her casual stance for a look of absolute, unbridled malice. Her long dark wavy hair was slightly disheveled from rushing, and the red satin slip dress swayed angrily around her ankles as she stepped into the room.
“Well, well, well,” Chloe sneered, clapping her hands together in a slow, sarcastic rhythm. “Look at the little detectives playing dress-up in my bedroom. Did you really think you could rummage through my personal belongings and get away with it, Julian? You’ve always been entirely too naive for your own good.”
Julian did not flinch. He stood tall, squaring his shoulders beneath his dark suit jacket, his dark eyes locked onto his estranged wife with an icy intensity that caused Chloe’s sarcastic smile to falter slightly. “Your bedroom, Chloe? Let’s be very clear about something. Every single item in these boxes, every legal document you forged, and every heirloom you stole belongs to my family. And your little game is officially over.”
Chloe scoffed, tossing her head back with an arrogant flick of her hair. She looked at the two security guards standing beside her, nodding sharply toward Julian. “He’s trespassing on property owned by my holding company. Physically remove him and that insolent maid from the premises immediately. If they resist, use whatever force is necessary.”
The guards stepped forward into the room, their heavy boots thudding heavily against the Persian rug. They were easily twice Julian’s size, accustomed to roughing people up without asking questions.
“Don't you dare touch him!” Elena shouted, stepping out from the shadows near the bed and placing herself directly between the approaching guards and Julian. Her face was flushed, but she refused to back down an inch. “I recorded everything on my phone! The police are already on their way, and they have copies of the forged deeds and the security footage!”
One of the guards grunted, reaching out a massive hand to push Elena aside roughly. Before his fingers could graze her shoulder, Julian moved with blinding speed. Years of suppressed frustration fueled a sudden, explosive burst of adrenaline. He lunged forward, grabbing the guard’s outstretched wrist with both hands and twisting it downward with a sharp, practiced leverage technique he had learned years ago in self-defense classes.
May you like
The guard let out a sharp cry of surprise as he lost his balance, stumbling backward and crashing hard into the heavy wooden dresser. The second guard lunged at Julian, but Julian ducked smoothly beneath his swinging arm, driving a swift, powerful kick straight into the man's midsection. The guard doubled over with a loud wheeze, collapsing onto the carpet.
***
