Chapter 4
Isabella’s face became utterly terrified. The cold, lethal contempt vanished entirely, replaced by the frantic, wide-eyed panic of a cornered predator. She pressed her back against the corridor wall, her emerald satin gown rustling loudly in the sudden, suffocating silence.
"William, wait," Isabella gasped, her voice trembling as she stared into her husband's murderous eyes. "You don't understand. He's sick! Ethan is having a psychotic break! He locked himself in there! I just found the key!"
"Do not lie to me," William growled, his voice a dangerous, guttural rumble. He didn't raise his hand again, but his entire posture was coiled with explosive violence. "I saw you order Emma to put him back. I heard you."
"She's lying!" Isabella shrieked, pointing a trembling, manicured finger at Emma. "The maid is the one who did it! They were conspiring against us, William! You know he hates me!"
William didn't even dignify the pathetic lie with a response. He turned his back on his wife, dismissing her entirely, and dropped to his knees beside Emma and Ethan. The ruggedly handsome billionaire gently reached out, his large hands trembling as he cupped his son's dusty, tear-streaked face.
"Ethan," William choked out, tears finally breaking through his composed exterior. "I'm so sorry. I'm right here, son. I'm right here."
"Dad," Ethan wept, collapsing forward into his father's arms. "She put me in the dark. She gave me dog food, Dad. She said you stopped looking for me."
William crushed Ethan to his chest, closing his eyes in sheer agony. He looked over Ethan's shoulder at Emma. "Thank you," William whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "You saved his life, Emma."
"We need to get him away from here, Mr. Sterling," Emma urged, keeping a watchful, terrified eye on Isabella. "She might not be acting alone."
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"You're right," William said, his protective instincts snapping into high gear. He stood up, lifting Ethan into his arms as easily as if the twenty-year-old were a small child. He looked down at Isabella, who was slowly inching toward the ballroom doors.
"If you take one step out of this hallway, Isabella," William warned, his tone icy and absolute, "I will kill you with my bare hands. Emma, go to the study. Call the police. Call my private security team. Tell them to lock down the entire estate."
