Chapter 5
The air in the room suddenly felt incredibly heavy. The warm golden light of the chandeliers offered no comfort as a suffocating tension radiated from the mafia boss. Alaric stared at Vivian, his mind calculating the impossible weight of her claim.
Before Vivian could press the issue, Nora broke through the final line of guests. She reached Alaric’s side, her breathing ragged, her chest heaving beneath her fitted black maid dress. She didn't look at the floor. She didn't bow her head in subservience. She looked directly at Alaric, her expressive eyes wide with terror and undeniable conviction.
Vivian’s composed facade cracked. Seeing the maid who had caught her in the study, sheer panic flooded her veins. She lunged forward, reaching her manicured hand aggressively toward Nora’s forearm to silence her, to drag her away before she could speak.
Alaric moved with predatory speed. He casually but firmly brought his left arm up, calmly blocking Vivian’s reaching hand. He did not spill a single drop of the poisoned champagne in his right hand.
"Do not touch her," Alaric warned, his voice a low, dangerous rumble.
Nora stood her ground, protected by the broad-shouldered boss. She looked at the champagne flute in his hand, then back up to his angular face.
"Please," Nora pleaded, her voice cutting through the silent room. "That isn't sugar."
The music from the string quartet screeched to a halt. Every single guest in the luxurious salon fell completely silent. The laughter died. The clinking of glasses ceased. Fifty pairs of eyes turned toward the Christmas tree, watching the terrifying drama unfold.
"What did you just say to me, servant?" Vivian hissed, her fair, rosy skin turning pale with rage. "You are fired! Security, remove this lying trash from my home immediately!"
None of the guards moved. They looked only to Alaric.
Alaric ignored his wife completely. He looked steadily at Nora. He saw her rumpled apron, the crooked headband, and the sheer bravery it took for a maid to interrupt a mafia boss's reception. His jaw tightened. The muscles in his neck strained against his collar.
May you like
He allowed a heavy, measured pause to stretch over the room, letting the silence crush the oxygen from the air.
"Nora," Alaric said, his voice incredibly low and terrifyingly measured. "What did Vivian add?"
