Chapter 6
The silence stretching across the grand foyer was absolute and apocalyptic. The fifty elite guests, capos, and relatives remained paralyzed on the burgundy velvet sofas, the festive Christmas reception completely obliterated by the exposure of such calculated, psychopathic cruelty.
Ethan Vale kept the heavy leather leash wrapped securely around his tattooed hand, an undeniable, public claiming of the dog and the maid. He did not break his cold, unwavering stare from Bianca.
"You attempted to manipulate the hierarchy of this syndicate through petty, sadistic physical and psychological torture against my staff and my animals," Ethan stated, his voice a low, vibrating hum of impending ruin that echoed off the gilded mirrors. "You starved my loyal guard dog, terrified my son, and threatened the woman who cared for them. You are a fatal liability to my family, and I will not tolerate a liability in my home."
Under the weight of that lethal, promising stare, Bianca’s defensive arrogance completely disappeared. The color drained from her fair, rosy face as she realized her meticulously crafted social standing had just been obliterated. She backed away until her spine hit the edge of a carved walnut console, realizing with a sinking horror that the political immunity she had relied upon was entirely useless inside the walls of the Vale estate.
"This reception is concluded," Ethan announced, shifting his dark gaze to the fifty elite guests seated around the room. His deep voice boomed with absolute, terrifying authority. "Everyone who does not carry the Vale name, or work in my personal security detail, will vacate this foyer immediately. The holiday celebration is over."
Chairs scraped frantically against the polished marble floors. Men and women paled in terror as they abandoned their champagne glasses and festive cheer. They rushed toward the massive double doors, eager to escape the impending explosion of violence before they were forced to take a side in a mafia civil war.
"Ethan, you are making a catastrophic mistake," Bianca hissed, attempting to salvage her dignity as the room rapidly emptied. "My father will hear of this. The Shaw family will not tolerate this level of public disrespect over a mutt and a servant. You need our shipping routes."
"I would burn every ship in the harbor before I let you sleep under my roof again," Ethan replied coldly.
Within ninety seconds, the sprawling foyer was completely empty, save for Ethan, Bianca, Mara, Teddy, Atlas, and the heavy security detail standing silently by the ivory candles. The bright, airy luminosity of the room now illuminated only the raw, ugly truth of the betrayal.
Ethan looked down at Mara. The gentle maid was still standing close to his side, her delicate features pale with shock, yet she had stood her ground.
"Mara," Ethan said, his tone softening only marginally as he addressed her. He gently handed the heavy leather leash over to her trembling fingers. "Take Teddy and Atlas upstairs to my private quarters. Lock the doors. Allow no one inside but my personal guard."
"Yes, Mr. Vale," Mara whispered, her voice shaking with residual adrenaline. She gently took the three-year-old boy’s hand with her free hand, offering him a small, watery smile. "Come along, Teddy. Come along, Atlas. Let's go see if Santa left anything early."
Teddy looked up at his father, then at Bianca, before clinging tightly to Mara's rumpled white apron. Atlas rose obediently, sticking close to Mara's side. As the maid, the toddler, and the massive dog hurried up the sweeping marble staircase, their footsteps echoing softly, Ethan turned his full, terrifying attention back to the woman in the burgundy velvet gown.
"Now," Ethan said, taking a slow, predatory step toward her. "You are going to explain to me exactly how long you intended to starve him."
May you like
"I won't tell you anything!" Bianca shrieked, backing away until she bumped into a marble column. "If I confess, you will kill me! My silence is the only leverage I have left to walk out of this mansion alive!"
"Do you believe leverage exists for a woman who has just admitted to attempting to destroy my household?" Ethan countered, stepping closer, his imposing frame blocking her escape.
