Chapter 4 - The Millionaire Steps In
"Excuse me," a deep, authoritative voice cut through the howling wind.
Clara jerked her head up, wiping her tear-stained face, terrified that the landlord had sent someone else to harass them.
Instead, she saw an impeccably dressed older man in a tailored wool overcoat. His silver hair was dusted with snow, and his dark eyes burned with an intense, unyielding fire.
"Are you alright, ma'am?" Arthur asked, his voice steady and commanding.
"Please... just leave us alone," Clara choked out, trying to stand while holding Lily. "We're leaving."
"You aren't going anywhere in this weather," Arthur said firmly. He walked up the steps and hammered his fist against the landlord's front door with terrifying force.
A moment later, the door jerked open. The landlord glared out, his face red with alcohol and anger. "I told you—"
Arthur didn't let him finish. He reached into his inside coat pocket, pulled out a thick, gold-embossed leather checkbook, and ripped out a blank check. With a sleek fountain pen, he wrote a number so large the landlord's eyes nearly popped out of his head.
"What... what is this?" the landlord stammered, his angry tone instantly vanishing into groveling panic as he recognized wealth when he saw it.
"This is five thousand dollars," Arthur said coldly, thrusting the check into the man's chest. "It covers her back rent, the next three months in advance, and compensation for the harassment. You will unlock this door, carry their belongings back inside, and you will never speak to them again. Do we understand each other?"
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The landlord swallowed hard, clutching the check. "Y-Yes, sir! Right away, sir!"
👉 What secret about Clara's past is about to be revealed, and why does Arthur feel such a deep connection to her?
