Chapter 2 - The Mask of Insolence
Valeria crossed her arms, filing her nails with a crystal file as she looked down at the soaked elderly man with complete contempt.
"And mop the floor when you’re done!" Valeria added with a cruel laugh. "I have guests coming over at twelve for brunch, and I won't have this room smelling like an old folks' home."
Julian shifted uncomfortably on his feet, finally clearing his throat. "Valeria... maybe that was a bit much. My dad was up all night..."
"Shut up, Julian!" Valeria snapped, turning her sharp eyes on her husband. "Who pays for your country club membership? Who signed for your sports car? My father's connections keep your firm afloat. If your father wants to live in this mansion, he abides by my rules."
Arthur didn't yell. He didn't scream or hurl insults.
Slowly, the exhausted 68-year-old sat up on the edge of the bed. He grabbed a small hand towel from the nightstand and began calmly wiping the ice water from his face and chest.
His eyes lost their exhaustion, replaced by an icy, piercing resolve that neither Valeria nor Julian had ever seen before.
"This is my house, Valeria," Arthur said in a quiet, deadly whisper.
Valeria smirked dismissively, tossing her head back as she filed another nail. "Keep telling yourself that, old man."
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She strutted out of the master suite, towing Julian behind her by his arm, completely oblivious as Arthur reached under his pillow for his sleek black smartphone.
👉 What crucial detail about the mansion's deed had Valeria's family intentionally kept hidden from Arthur?
