Chapter 2 - The Man No One ExpectedVictoria's confidence vanished before she even saw his face.
The slow, measured footsteps descending the twin staircase carried a familiar authority that everyone inside the mansion recognized instantly.
Adrian Harrington.
Guests instinctively stepped aside, creating a clear path from the staircase to the confrontation below. No one spoke. Even the musicians stopped playing.
Victoria forced a smile that looked painfully unnatural.
"Adrian... this servant attacked me."
Her voice cracked.
She hadn't sounded uncertain in years.
Isabella remained where she stood, shielding Eleanor with her entire body. The wooden cane rested firmly in her hands, while Eleanor clutched the back of Isabella's uniform like a frightened child searching for safety.
Adrian continued walking without changing expression.
His polished shoes clicked rhythmically against the marble.
Every step made Victoria's breathing faster.
Julian, one of the estate managers, quietly whispered to another guest.
"I've never seen Mr. Harrington interrupt one of his own receptions."
Adrian finally reached the bottom step.
His eyes ignored Victoria completely.
Instead, they settled on Isabella...
...then on the cane she protected.
Without speaking, he extended one calm hand toward her.
For one terrifying second, Isabella wondered if she had just handed the evidence of her own dismissal directly to the most powerful man in the house.
She slowly offered him the cane.
He accepted it without taking his eyes off Eleanor.
Victoria finally smiled again.
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Surely the maid was finished now.
She couldn't have been more wrong.
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