Chapter 7
The cinematic, golden light of the chandeliers caught the flawless perfection of Vanessa’s makeup. She did not flinch under the suffocating weight of Gideon's silence. She was a survivor of the criminal underworld, a woman raised by ruthless men, and she knew that showing fear was an invitation to slaughter.
Vanessa’s eyes flicked nervously toward three-year-old Milo, glaring with absolute venom at the toddler who had just inadvertently destroyed her empire. She then returned her gaze directly to Audrey, bypassing Gideon entirely in a desperate bid to maintain her dominance over the servant.
Her polished, public smile disappeared completely, replaced by a mask of raw, unadulterated malice.
"Back in the cellar," Vanessa hissed, her American accent losing its practiced elegance, pitching higher with defensive, venomous fury. "Tonight."
The sheer, brazen audacity of the threat echoed off the gilded mirrors. It was a callous admission of psychological and physical torture, an arrogant attempt to assert her authority in a room that no longer belonged to her.
Gideon’s reaction was deliberate, fueled by a cold, terrifying, protective adrenaline.
He moved with absolute, predatory precision. Gideon stepped decisively forward, inserting his broad-shouldered, masculine frame directly into the medium wide space between Vanessa and Audrey. He placed his body entirely between his fiancée and the trembling housemaid, creating an impenetrable physical shield of authority.
Milo, confused by the sudden tension and the harsh tone of the woman who usually offered him sweets, lowered the stuffed rabbits against his cream cable-knit sweater. The toddler watched the adults with quiet confusion, his small boots shifting uneasily on the polished marble.
Audrey did not retreat. Feeling the solid, unyielding presence of Gideon standing protectively in front of her, the paralyzing terror that had gripped her all day finally broke. She remained close beside Gideon, seeking the sanctuary of his shadow.
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Gideon held Vanessa’s gaze. He fixed her with a cold, unwavering stare that promised absolute, undeniable destruction.
"You locked a woman in my cellar for witnessing your treason," Gideon stated, his voice a low, vibrating rumble that shook the crystal glasses on the nearby tables.
