Chapter 4 - The Empty Threats
The tension on the sunlit terrace was absolutely suffocating. The wealthy guests stood frozen, their champagne glasses untouched, watching the intense standoff between the woman in the designer gown and the woman in the purple and white uniform.
Vanessa leaned in, her voice dropping to a venomous whisper meant only for Grace and the trembling children.
"When Evan gets back from his business trip in Europe tomorrow," Vanessa threatened, a cruel, victorious smile spreading across her red lips, "the very first thing I am going to do is have you thrown out on the street with absolutely nothing. And then, I am packing both of these miserable brats up and shipping them off to a military boarding school in Switzerland. I am not playing stepmother to someone else's emotional baggage."
Sophie let out a terrified whimper, burying her tear-streaked face into Grace’s apron.
Vanessa threw her head back, laughing coldly as she looked around at the silent, complicit crowd. She felt utterly invincible. She was marrying Evan Whitaker, the towering, incredibly dangerous head of the city's underground syndicate. Her status was absolute.
"You have no idea whose house you're standing in, you stupid girl," Vanessa mocked, her eyes blazing with aristocratic superiority. "This is Evan's empire. And by extension, it is mine."
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Grace did not flinch. The red welt on her cheek throbbed violently, but her dark eyes remained completely steady, fearless, and remarkably calm.
👉 Vanessa thought the mafia boss was thousands of miles away, but Grace was about to deliver a chilling reality check.
