Chapter 2 - The silent estate
The silence that followed Alexander’s devastating question was heavier than the marble beneath their feet. Victoria opened her mouth to speak, but her throat constricted. Her icy blue eyes darted wildly, searching for an escape route, a lie, any manipulation that could save her from the absolute destruction radiating from the billionaire CEO.
I... Alexander, you’re confused, Victoria stammered, taking a step backward, her champagne-gold silk gown rustling nervously. My father purchased it at an estate auction in Geneva. I must have misremembered the origin. I just wanted to feel closer to your family history.
Alexander did not blink. His piercing gray eyes remained locked onto hers, dissecting the blatant contradiction. You are a terrible liar, Victoria. And you have just made the greatest mistake of your privileged, parasitic life.
He turned his broad back on her, a gesture of absolute dismissal that wounded Victoria more than any physical strike could. He crouched back down on the floor, towering over Sofia. The young maid flinched slightly, her hazel eyes wide and filled with residual terror from the slap. Alexander reached out, his large, powerful hand moving with surprising gentleness, and offered it to her.
Stand up, Sofia, Alexander said, his voice losing its icy edge, replaced by a protective, grounding warmth.
Sofia hesitated, her small, trembling fingers slipping into his large hand. He pulled her to her feet effortlessly. She stood before him, her black-and-white French-maid uniform feeling profoundly inadequate under his intense scrutiny. She touched her reddened cheek, looking down at the scattered diamonds.
I will clean it up, Sir. I promise I will pay for the damages, Sofia whispered, her voice barely audible.
You will not touch the floor, and you owe me nothing, Alexander commanded softly. He turned his head slightly, addressing the shadows of the hallway where his head of security, a heavily built man named Marcus, had silently appeared. Marcus. Escort Victoria to her vehicle. Her access to this estate, and all affiliated corporate properties, is permanently revoked. The wedding is indefinitely suspended.
Victoria gasped, her sculpted cheekbones flushing with humiliated rage. You cannot do this! My father’s merger is the only thing keeping your European division afloat! You are throwing away a billion-dollar empire over a clumsy, pathetic maid!
Alexander’s jaw clenched. If your father calls me, I will tell him exactly why his daughter was expelled from my home. Remove her, Marcus. Before I lose my temper.
Marcus stepped forward, placing a firm, uncompromising hand on Victoria’s arm. She shrieked, struggling against his grip, but was effortlessly guided out the grand mahogany front doors. The heavy doors slammed shut, plunging the foyer into a surreal, ringing quiet.
Alexander turned his attention back to Sofia. She was shaking, completely overwhelmed by the sudden, violent shift in the universe. A billionaire had just canceled his high-society wedding because of a broken necklace and a tiny photograph.
Come with me, Alexander instructed, gesturing toward the sweeping staircase.
Sir, my quarters are in the east wing basement, Sofia murmured, confused.
You are no longer domestic staff, Alexander stated, his gray eyes softening as he looked at her angelic, confused face. You will take the master guest suite in the south wing. No one is to disturb you. Tonight, you are under my personal protection.
As Sofia was led upstairs by a bewildered housekeeper, Alexander remained in the foyer. He opened his fist, staring down at the tiny photograph of his mother and the baby named Sofia. The baby who had supposedly burned to ashes in the tragic mansion fire twenty-two years ago.
Outside the estate, sitting in the back of her idling limousine, Victoria pulled a sleek black phone from her clutch. Her hands shook with a mixture of terror and furious adrenaline. She dialed a private, encrypted number.
He found the locket, Victoria hissed into the receiver, her voice trembling. The clasp broke. He saw the photograph and the name.
A deep, distorted voice replied on the other end. Does he know who the maid really is?
May you like
He suspects, Victoria said, staring fiercely at the towering iron gates of Alexander’s mansion. We cannot wait for the merger. We need to silence the maid tonight. Before he runs a DNA test.
Consider it handled, the voice replied, hanging up and leaving Victoria in the dark.
