Chapter 13 - The Courtyard Reckoning
The rain outside was deafening, a relentless downpour turning the sprawling gravel courtyard into a sea of mud and churning puddles. Lightning split the midnight sky in jagged streaks of white, illuminating Genevieve running frantically toward a black carriage waiting by the iron gates.
""Genevieve!"" Clara roared over the thunder, running through the deluge, her cloak flying behind her like dark wings.
Genevieve reached the carriage door, screaming at the driver to move, but Clara slammed into her with the full force of her body. Both women crashed into the muddy gravel. Genevieve shrieked, clawing at Clara’s face with manicured nails, but Clara pinned her wrist to the earth, the heavy iron tool raised high.
""Get off me, you gutter rat!"" Genevieve screamed, spitting mud and rainwater. ""You’re nothing! You’re nobody!""
""I am Marcus Vance's daughter,"" Clara hissed, her voice cutting through the tempest with icy clarity. ""And this is my house.""
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Footsteps sloshed rapidly through the mud. A squadron of uniform-clad constables, led by the capital inspector and a pale, trembling Chef Morrison in handcuffs, surrounded the carriage. Strong hands pulled Clara to her feet and hauled Genevieve out of the mud, pinning the shrieking aristocrat against the carriage wheel.
The iron gates groaned shut, sealing Genevieve’s fate within the Vance estate forever.
