Chapter 1
CHAPTER 1 — The Morning After the Storm
The next morning arrived with a blinding,
glorious burst of bright sunlight,
piercing through the heavy velvet curtains of the massive estate.
Ethan walked slowly down the grand spiral staircase,
buttoning his expensive gold cufflinks,
a smug,
highly arrogant grin plastered firmly across his face.
As he reached the bottom step,
the rich,
intoxicating aroma of roasted garlic,
seared wagyu beef,
and perfectly brewed premium coffee drifted heavily through the air.
He stepped confidently into the formal dining room,
his eyes widening in genuine delight as he took in the lavish feast.
The long mahogany table was completely covered with silver platters,
glittering crystal stemware,
and mountains of gourmet delicacies that looked like a royal banquet.
I stood calmly at the head of the table,
wearing a stunning,
impeccably tailored cream-colored designer dress that cost more than his monthly salary,
my swollen,
bruised left cheek entirely uncovered.
Beatrice floated into the room right behind him,
her sharp eyes immediately scanning the expensive spread,
a cold,
approving nod escaping her lips.
"Well,
look at this,
Ethan,"
she purred loudly,
adjusting the expensive diamond rings on her wrinkled fingers.
"It appears the little charity case has finally learned her proper place in this household,"
she sneered,
taking a seat.
Ethan laughed deeply,
walking toward me with his arms wide open,
exuding the disgusting confidence of a dictator who believed he had won.
"It’s good that you’ve finally come to your senses,
Maya,"
he said loudly,
his voice dripping with pure condescension.
"I knew a little firm correction last night would straighten out that stubborn attitude of yours,"
he bragged,
reaching out to touch my face.
I stepped back smoothly,
avoiding his hand with absolute,
chilling grace,
and offered him a smile that did not reach my cold eyes.
"Sit down,
Ethan,"
I said,
my voice completely level,
devoid of any fear,
as I gestured toward the empty chairs.
"The guests I invited will be arriving any moment now,
and we must not keep them waiting for this very special breakfast."
Ethan frowned instantly,
his hand freezing mid-air,
his arrogant brow furrowing in deep confusion.
"Guests?"
he questioned sharply,
his tone dropping into a dangerous,
demanding growl.
"What the hell are you talking about,
Maya,
who did you dare invite to my house without my explicit permission?"
Before I could answer him,
the heavy front doors of the estate were pushed open with absolute authority,
and the sound of multiple footsteps echoed loudly across the marble foyer.
Ethan turned around quickly,
ready to yell at whoever had entered his home so boldly,
but the words caught violently in his throat.
His face drained of all color in a split second,
his breath escaping him in a sudden,
sharp gasp as he stared at the figures walking into the room.
The very first person to step into the dining room was Jonathan Vance,
the legendary,
most feared federal prosecutor in the entire state,
holding a thick leather briefcase.
Behind him walked two stern-faced men in dark tactical suits,
their badges gleaming brightly under the crystal chandelier,
their eyes locked onto Ethan.
And right behind them came a elderly man in a bespoke suit,
a man Ethan had spent three years desperately trying to meet:
Arthur Sterling,
the reclusive billionaire founder of Sterling Global Enterprises,
and my grandfather.
Ethan’s knees buckled slightly,
his hands beginning to tremble so violently he had to grip the back of a chair,
nearly fainting from sheer,
unadulterated shock.
The lavish feast was ready,
May you like
the trap was perfectly set,
and the monsters who had laid their hands on me were about to be utterly destroyed.
