Chapter 6
The transition from a crowded engagement dinner to an immediate, tense lockdown happened with terrifying efficiency. The wails of Diana Vale faded down the long, bright corridors of the mansion until the heavy oak doors slammed shut, sealing her in the isolated guest wing.
The grand ballroom, bathed in its bright, airy, luminous colors, was silent. The White American guests remained seated, unsure if they were allowed to leave or if the bloodletting was going to continue.
Julian Ashford stood at the head of the table. He slowly adjusted the cuffs of his dark three-piece suit. He looked out over the sea of terrified faces, his cold, perceptive eyes missing nothing.
"The dinner is concluded," Julian announced, his deep, quiet voice carrying effortlessly. "You will return to your homes. The alliance with the Vale family is terminated. Any man in this room who maintains contact with them after tonight will be considered an enemy of this house."
The guests didn't need to be told twice. They stood up in a rushed, hushed panic, practically fleeing toward the main exits to escape the gravitational pull of the Boss's wrath.
As the room emptied, Julian turned his attention back to the woman standing quietly behind him.
Emma was trembling, her hands still clutching the fabric of her black maid dress. Her beautiful, softly tapered face was pale, and tears still glistened on her rosy cheeks. The reality of what had just occurred was overwhelming. She had expected to be fired, or worse. She hadn't expected the most powerful man in the city to burn his own empire to protect her.
"Come with me, Emma," Julian said softly, the terrifying edge in his voice completely vanishing.
He didn't offer his hand again, respecting her boundaries. He simply turned and walked toward the private doors leading to his personal study.
Emma hesitated for a fraction of a second before following him, her sensible black flats making no sound on the polished floors.
Julian’s private study was a highly secured, mahogany-paneled room lined with heavy leather furniture. The lighting here was slightly warmer, casting a rich, golden glow over the expensive rugs and the massive oak desk.
Julian walked over to a crystal decanter, pouring a small glass of water. He turned and offered it to Emma.
"Drink," he instructed gently.
Emma took the glass with trembling hands, the water sloshing slightly over the rim. She took a slow sip, the cool liquid helping to ground her racing heart.
"Thank you, Mr. Ashford," Emma whispered, keeping her eyes averted. "I am so sorry. I didn't mean to cause a scene. I should have just kept my mouth shut. I ruined the merger."
"You did not ruin anything," Julian corrected her, walking over and leaning against the edge of his desk. His broad, masculine frame dominated the space. "You exposed a liability. I will not marry a woman who finds joy in cruelty. She was a political convenience. She became a threat."
Emma looked up, her expressive brows drawing together. "But my mother... Diana said she would call the facility tomorrow morning and cut the funding."
"Diana no longer has the authority to make a phone call on this property," Julian stated flatly. He reached into his suit pocket, pulling out a sleek, encrypted smartphone. He tapped a few commands onto the screen.
"What are you doing?" Emma asked, her heart pounding.
May you like
"I am transferring the payment authorization for your mother's care facility," Julian said, his eyes fixed on the screen. "The funds will no longer be drawn from the general household accounts that Diana had access to. The facility will be paid directly from my personal, private trust. It is fully funded for the next ten years. No one can touch it."
Emma gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. The crushing, terrifying weight that she had carried for months evaporated in a single second. She sank into a nearby leather chair, overwhelmed by a profound, earth-shattering relief.
