The starved guard dog ordered to attack the maid.

The innocent, toddler-phrased exclamation shattered the fragile tension surrounding the polished walnut console. Mara hugged Teddy tightly, her own rosy cheeks flushed with absolute terror. She did not fully understand the depths of the cruelty possessed by the adults in this room, but she knew that Bianca was a viper waiting to strike.

"Teddy, sweetie, stay right here," Mara whispered urgently, pressing a trembling kiss to his soft curls. "I have to talk to Auntie Bianca. Please, do not move from this spot. I need you to be a very brave boy for me. Can you do that? It is a very important job. Do not let her see you."

"Okay, Mommy Mara," Teddy nodded enthusiastically, clutching the fabric of his red velvet waistcoat tightly against his chest. "I will be good. I will stay right here and watch the pretty lights. I am very brave. Daddy says I am brave."

Mara stood up, her breath hitching as she faced the fiancée. The towering Christmas tree sparked beside them, a brutal, physical reminder of the holiday joy that had been utterly destroyed.

Bianca stepped closer, the luxurious burgundy velvet gown sweeping across the marble. Her eyes burned with a calculating, sociopathic malice. She did not intend to let the maid walk away unpunished. She turned slightly and signaled to one of the estate's handlers standing near the heavy double doors.

The handler stepped into the grand foyer, holding a thick leather leash. At the end of the leash was Atlas.

The four-year-old male Rottweiler was a massive, formidable beast, rippling with muscle and dark fur. He wore a plain, heavy leather collar. Atlas was the family’s primary guard dog, specifically trained to be fiercely protective and deeply wary of everyone except Ethan Vale. The mere sight of the enormous animal sent a ripple of genuine fear through the elegantly dressed guests standing nearby.

Bianca walked over and snatched the plain leather leash from the handler's grip. Her diamond earrings swung violently as she marched the massive dog directly toward the Christmas tree, where the trembling maid stood.

"Stand exactly where you are," Bianca commanded, her voice low and dripping with aristocratic venom as she tightened her grip on the leash. "We are going to have a lesson in respect. We cannot have this filthy insubordination ruining the aesthetics of my reception."

The words dropped into the immediate vicinity like a live explosive charge. Mara’s fingers became entirely, horrifyingly still. The blood drained from her delicate face, leaving her fair skin a ghostly, splotchy white. Her breath caught violently in her throat.

Mara looked down at the massive Rottweiler. Atlas stood still, his dark eyes observing the room. Bianca had deliberately starved the animal for days while Ethan was away, intending to make the dog hyper-aggressive and volatile. Mara had fed him, but she did not know if the beast would remember that kindness in a room full of overwhelming noise and strangers.

"Please," Mara begged, her voice cracking, completely terrified of making a scene but utterly terrified of the massive canine. "Don't bring him closer. Please, it will frighten Teddy. I will stand in the back. I will leave the room entirely. I promise you will never have to see me again."

"I told you to be quiet, you pathetic little creature," Bianca hissed softly, pulling the leash taut, completely unaware of the apex predator standing just inches away. "You do as I command, or you will not survive the night. I will let him tear you apart right now."

Bianca stepped into the open space beside the towering Christmas tree. She dropped Atlas’s plain leather leash directly onto the polished marble floor. The heavy metal clasp clinked loudly. Bianca raised her hand and pointed directly toward Mara.

Just behind her, Ethan Vale was approaching from the shadows, his tailored dark suit cutting a formidable silhouette through the crowded room. He immediately stopped, his dark eyes locking onto the loose, formidable guard dog.

Mara held completely still, paralyzing herself so as not to trigger the animal's prey drive.