Chapter 9 - The Debt of Loyalty
The dining room fell completely silent once again, save for the soft ticking of the antique grandfather clock in the corner.
Julian let out a long, heavy breath. He ran his hand through his dark, wavy hair, the intimidating aura finally melting away to reveal a deeply exhausted, heartbroken man.
He turned around and looked at Olivia.
The young maid was still standing by the table, trembling. She was completely overwhelmed by the chaos, her hand gently touching the dark bruise on her cheek. She expected to be fired. She had ruined the dinner party and brought the police into his home.
Instead, Julian pulled out one of the mahogany dining chairs and gestured gently.
"Sit down, Olivia," he said softly.
Olivia hesitantly sat down, keeping her eyes lowered.
Julian pulled out the chair next to her and sat down. He didn't care about the strict rules of estate hierarchy. He looked at the young woman who had suffered physical violence just to protect his family's legacy.
"I am so incredibly sorry," Julian whispered, his voice thick with genuine remorse. "I brought a monster into this house. I failed to protect you, and I put your mother's life at risk."
"You didn't know, sir," Olivia said quietly, looking up with tear-filled eyes. "She fooled everyone."
"But you didn't let her fool me," Julian noted, a faint, deeply respectful smile touching his lips. "You took a blow to the face, and you still stood your ground. That level of loyalty is impossible to find."
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Julian reached into his suit jacket and pulled out his private checkbook and a sleek fountain pen.
👉 What life-changing reward is Julian about to offer the brave young woman?
