Chapter 2 - Locked Out in the Blizzard
Outside the estate, the snow fell in heavy white sheets. Julian stood on the driveway, pulling his coat collar tight against the freezing wind. He reached for the handle of the luxury town car, expecting the chauffeur to pop the trunk for his suitcase.
Instead, his phone buzzed in his pocket. It was an automated security alert from his home automation app: Primary Master Access Code REVOKED by Administrative User: Clara Vance.
Julian frowned, his brow furrowing as he turned back toward the house. "What is she doing?" he muttered.
He walked back up the stone steps, stamping his snow-covered boots on the welcome mat. He pressed his thumb against the biometric lock on the front door.
BEEP-BEEP. ACCESS DENIED.
Panic spiked in his chest. Julian hammered his fist against the heavy oak paneling. "Clara! Open the door! The smart lock is malfunctioning! Clara!"
Through the bevelled glass window, he saw Clara standing in the foyer holding Harrison in her arms. She looked directly at him through the glass. Her face was completely expressionless, devoid of the soft, devoted warmth he had taken for granted for five years.
She didn't move an inch toward the handle. Slowly, she lifted her phone, holding the screen up against the glass window so Julian could see it.
Displayed brightly against the dark glass was the photograph of him in the Aspen ski chalet with his mistress, Chloe, along with the automated notification showing the image had been forwarded to Vance Family Legal Group.
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Julian’s blood turned to ice water. His hands stopped banging against the wood, dropping uselessly to his sides as his suitcase handle slid from his numb fingers.
👉 Read PART 3 to see the secret corporate empire Clara’s father owned behind Julian’s back!
