Chapter 6
Celeste flinched violently at the threat. She dropped her hands, her fair skin streaked with ruined makeup, her eyes wide with primal terror. She knew the stories of what Sebastian Hale did to traitors within his syndicate.
"You can't do this!" Celeste choked out, the venom returning as self-preservation took over. "My father is Victor Vane! He will burn your empire to the ground if you humiliate me like this!"
"Is your father a man who fights battles for foolish, cruel daughters?" Sebastian asked quietly.
"He will kill you!" Celeste pleaded, reaching out to grasp the edge of the dining table. "I am going to be your wife, Sebastian! We signed the contracts! You cannot back out now without causing a massive war!"
Sebastian looked down at the trembling woman. He felt absolutely nothing for her. The political affection he had feigned for the sake of the syndicate merger evaporated instantly, leaving behind a cold, calculating void that craved only survival and absolute retribution.
"Do you expect me to harbor a sadistic abuser under my roof to appease a shipping magnate?" Sebastian asked.
He didn't wait for her to answer. He reached into his tailored jacket and retrieved a sleek, encrypted smartphone. He dialed a single digit and pressed the phone to his ear.
"Vincent," Sebastian said into the receiver, his eyes locked on his former fiancée. "Will you come to the dining room and escort Miss Vane to the holding cells beneath the east wing immediately?"
He lowered the phone and looked at the broken socialite one last time.
"Have you finally realized the price of your ambition, Celeste?" Sebastian asked softly, as the heavy mahogany doors of the dining room burst open.
Vincent and another massive security guard in dark suits entered the room. They marched forward without a word, hauling Celeste roughly to her feet. She shrieked, thrashing wildly against their iron grip, but they were unyielding.
"You will regret this, Sebastian!" she screamed as they dragged her backward toward the doors. "You will all burn for this!"
"Will you convey my deepest regards to your father when I send him the pieces of his syndicate?" Sebastian asked quietly, watching the doors slam shut.
The profound, ringing silence of the grand dining room settled heavily over the remaining three figures. The cascading crystal chandeliers continued to cast their warm golden light over the abandoned porcelain plates and half-empty wine glasses. The opulent space, designed for celebration, now felt entirely different—it was the quiet eye of a hurricane.
Sebastian stood silently for a moment, his broad shoulders rising and falling with a slow, controlled breath. The betrayal was absolute, the upcoming syndicate war with Celeste’s father inevitable, but the immediate, toxic sickness within his home had been surgically removed. Now, he had to secure his son and the woman who had suffered for his child's affection.
He turned his body, pivoting seamlessly on the polished marble floors, and focused his entire attention back on Lydia and Jamie.
Lydia was still standing closely behind him, her hands trembling as she smoothed her rumpled white apron. Her beautiful features were pale, her eyes still puffy, and she was gently rubbing the ends of her unevenly hacked hair.
Sebastian crouched down, his tailored suit shifting, and looked his son in the eye.
"Are you unharmed, Jamie?" Sebastian asked, his deep voice softening significantly, losing its lethal, interrogative edge.
Jamie wiped his eyes with the sleeve of his navy suit. He looked at the towering mafia boss, his eyes searching for reassurance. "I'm sorry, Daddy. I just wanted to show her my picture. I didn't mean to make Celeste mad."
May you like
"Would I ever be angry with you for showing kindness to someone who cares for you?" Sebastian asked, reaching out to gently cup the boy’s cheek.
Jamie sniffled, leaning into his father's large, tattooed hand. "No."
