Chapter 2 - The Fall of the Empress
The estate security team, now aware that the ""peasant"" had saved their boss's life, moved in. They didn’t touch Vanessa, but they formed a wall of dark suits between her and the helicopter.
“Take her to the secondary study,” Grant commanded, his eyes not leaving his wife’s face. “Lock the doors. Nobody enters, nobody leaves until the local authorities arrive.”
Vanessa’s composure finally shattered. She screamed, a sound that lacked any grace, losing the carefully curated persona she had spent decades perfecting. “You think he’s going to save you, Grant? You’re a fool! You were worth more to me dead, and you’re worth more to me in prison!”
Grant didn’t flinch. He turned his back on her, his posture rigid. As she was dragged toward the main house, he looked at Caleb.
“You’re hurt,” Grant said, his voice flat.
May you like
“I’m alive,” Caleb replied, wiping a smear of blood from his eye. “That’s enough for today.”
“Come inside,” Grant said, walking toward the mansion. “You aren't a farmhand anymore. You’re the man who bought me another day of life. And I don’t forget debts.”
