Chapter 1: The Men at the Gate
Chapter 1: The Men at the Gate
The headlights stopped outside the mansion.
For a long moment, no one moved.
Then the front doors swung open.
Four men in dark suits entered first, followed by a silver-haired gentleman whose calm expression carried more authority than any raised voice ever could.
"Dad," I whispered.
Richard Ashford crossed the marble floor without even glancing at Adrian or Vanessa. His attention remained on the blood soaking through my torn dress.
"My little girl," he said quietly.
He removed his tailored jacket and draped it over my shoulders.
"You waited long enough."
"I know."
"I promised I'd come the moment you called."
Behind him, two members of his security team photographed every inch of the room—the leather riding crop, the blood on the marble floor, the shattered champagne glass Vanessa had dropped in panic.
Adrian finally found his voice.
"Who are these people? Get out of my house!"
Richard slowly turned toward him.
"This house?" he asked.
He smiled.
"Interesting choice of words."
One of his attorneys stepped forward carrying a folder.
"Mr. Vale, according to the loan agreements your company signed six months ago, the controlling debt was quietly purchased yesterday."
Adrian frowned.
"What does that have to do with anything?"
"It means your bank no longer owns your debt."
The attorney closed the folder.
"We do."
May you like
Silence filled the room.
For the first time since I had met him, Adrian looked afraid.
