Chapter 6
Within ninety seconds, the sprawling grand foyer and adjoining salon were completely empty, save for Nathan, Daphne, Elise, Evan, and the heavy security detail standing silently by the gilded mirrors. The bright, airy luminosity of the room now illuminated only the raw, ugly truth of the betrayal.
Daphne stood trembling by the antique mahogany wardrobe, her hands clutched tightly at her sides. She realized with a sinking horror that the political immunity she had relied upon was entirely useless inside the walls of the Vale estate.
Nathan looked down at Elise. The gentle maid was still holding Evan's hand, her delicate features pale with shock, yet she had stood her ground. She was keeping the little boy anchored, shielding him from the intense confrontation with her quiet warmth.
"Elise," Nathan said, his tone softening only marginally as he addressed her. "Take Evan upstairs to my private quarters. Lock the doors. Allow no one inside but my personal guard."
"Yes, Mr. Vale," Elise whispered, her voice shaking with adrenaline. She gently squeezed the six-year-old boy’s hand, offering him a small, watery smile. "Come along, Evan. Let's go upstairs and see if we can find a better hiding spot for your reindeer."
Evan looked up at his father, then at Daphne, before clinging tightly to Elise's rumpled white apron. As the maid and the child hurried up the grand marble staircase, their footsteps echoing softly, Nathan turned his full, terrifying attention back to the woman in the emerald gown.
"Now," Nathan said, taking a slow, predatory step toward her. "You are going to explain to me exactly how many times you have laid your hands on my son."
"I never hit him!" Daphne shrieked, backing away until she bumped into a cream marble column. "I merely used timeouts to instill discipline! You are away on business constantly, Nathan! Someone had to teach him respect! He was treating that peasant like his actual mother!"
"Does her offering comfort to a motherless child justify locking him in a lightless box?" Nathan asked, stopping just a few feet away from her, his broad shoulders blocking any chance of escape.
"She is a servant!" Daphne yelled defensively, tears ruining her flawless makeup. "I am going to be the lady of this house! I am the one who is supposed to raise your heir! I had to assert dominance to remind the staff of their place!"
"You asserted your jealousy," Nathan corrected, his voice entirely devoid of emotion. "You are a barren, vicious creature who craves a respect you cannot organically create. You tortured a child out of sheer, petty spite."
"I am trying to build an empire with you!" Daphne screamed. "You spend half your time indulging that girl! You are losing your edge! The other families are laughing at you! I took control because you were too weak to enforce the hierarchy yourself!"
"You have shown me that you are a fatal liability," Nathan stated with brutal, surgical precision.
He didn't wait for her to formulate another hysterical defense. He turned his head slightly, his gaze sweeping over the four heavily armed guards stationed near the salon doors.
May you like
"Are you men going to secure this traitor, or must I break her legs myself before we walk downstairs?" Nathan asked, his command absolute.
Two massive enforcers stepped forward instantly, moving with terrifying, synchronized efficiency. They grabbed Daphne roughly by the arms, entirely ignoring the expensive fabric of her luxurious emerald gown.
