Chapter 2 - The Cold Defiance
The cinematic tension in the grand dining room spiked to a paralyzing level.
Toby sobbed uncontrollably, his tiny face turning pale from the sheer shock of the pain. Valerie gently cradled his head, her heart hammering violently against her ribs. She could clearly see the bone pushing dangerously against the skin of his forearm.
Chloe stood a few feet away with her arms crossed, rolling her eyes in absolute disgust.
"I barely touched him!" Chloe scoffed, checking her fresh manicure. "He's just being dramatic. Tell him to stop crying, he's giving me a migraine."
Valerie didn't scream at her niece. She didn't waste her breath arguing with a sociopath. She reached into the pocket of her burgundy trousers and pulled out her smartphone, immediately preparing to dial 911.
Before her thumb could hit the screen, a heavy, wrinkled hand grabbed her wrist.
It was her father, the patriarch of the family. He wore a sharply tailored formal suit, looking down at his bleeding grandson with completely dismissive, cold eyes.
"Put the phone away, Valerie," the grandfather commanded, his voice dripping with absolute authority. "We handle family problems privately. Chloe is signing the final paperwork to take over the family trust this afternoon. I will not have an assault scandal ruin her succession over a bruised arm."
Valerie slowly looked up at the man who had always treated her like a second-class citizen.
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"My son is hurt," Valerie stated, her voice dangerously firm.
👉 The arrogant family thought they had won, but Valerie was about to make a decision that would completely destroy their empire.
