Chapter 8 - THE HEIR'S REVOLT
“Take your hands off her,” Ethan’s voice cut through the ballroom like a crack of thunder.
The security guard hesitated, his fingers loosening slightly on Naomi’s sleeve. “Mr. Whitmore, she assaulted Miss Sterling—did you not see—?”
“I saw exactly what happened,” Ethan interrupted, his voice dropping into a razor-sharp growl as he marched right up to the guard and shoved his chest backward. “I saw my fiancée throw a violent, unprovoked physical tantrum, and I saw an innocent staff member defend herself without throwing a single punch. Touch her again, and I’ll fire every single one of you before you reach the front gate.”
The guard instantly dropped his hands, stepping back and looking down at the floor.
Vanessa rushed toward Ethan, her eyes wide with desperate disbelief. “Ethan?! Are you out of your mind?! She grabbed me! She humiliated me in front of everyone! Look at my friends—they’re all watching! How can you defend a filthy little maid over your own future wife?!”
Ethan didn't look at Vanessa. He walked past her, stopping right in front of Naomi, checking her arms to ensure she wasn't hurt. Then, he turned slowly to face the three hundred guests holding their breath under the crystal chandeliers.
He reached into his tuxedo jacket, pulled out a small black microphone attached to his lapel, and tapped it to check the sound. The speakers hummed softly across the hall.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Ethan began, his voice echoing smoothly, carrying the absolute weight of the Whitmore name. “I apologize for the sudden interruption to our evening. It appears there has been a fundamental misunderstanding regarding who runs this household, and who actually belongs in it.”
Vanessa went completely pale. “Ethan... what are you doing? Stop it right now!”
“For the past year,” Ethan continued, ignoring her entirely, “Naomi Reyes has kept this estate running with an incredible level of grace, dignity, and quiet strength—qualities that seem entirely foreign to the person standing beside me.”
Gasps rippled through the front rows of the audience. Whispers broke out like wildfire.
“Ethan, you are embarrassing me!” Vanessa shrieked, tears finally spilling over her cheeks, ruining her expensive makeup. “If you say another word, our engagement is over! Do you hear me?! It is over!”
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Ethan turned his head slowly, looking at her with a chilling, utter detachment.
“Then consider it canceled, Vanessa,” Ethan said clearly into the microphone. “Because I will not marry a woman who abuses my staff, lies to my face, and throws public tantrums like a spoiled child. Security, please escort Miss Sterling and her personal guests off the property immediately. Have her luggage packed and waiting by the front gates.”
