Chapter 7 - Face to Face
Arthur didn't acknowledge Julian's question. His eyes drifted immediately past the younger man, scanning the room until they landed on the floor near the sofa. He saw the shattered crystal, the dark red petals, and then his gaze locked onto Claire.
He saw the swelling along her delicate jaw, the crimson cut beside her eyebrow, and the way her trembling hands clutched her bruised torso. A profound, terrible silence settled over the room, more terrifying than any scream.
""Claire,"" Arthur said softly, his voice softening with infinite tenderness. ""Stand up, sweetheart.""
""Daddy..."" she whispered, tears cutting through the dust on her cheeks. She struggled to her feet, using the sofa back for support.
Julian quickly moved between them, attempting to regain his composure and projecting corporate bravado. ""Arthur, this is a private domestic matter between husband and wife. You have no legal authority to break into my residence with armed men. I can have you arrested before midnight.""
Arthur slowly turned his head to look at Julian. The older man’s gaze was so devoid of warmth that Julian’s throat tightened involuntarily.
""Domestic matter?"" Arthur said, his voice barely louder than a whisper, yet vibrating with lethal power. ""You broke a table over my daughter’s head. You bruised her face. You kept her locked in this glass cage like an animal.""
""She provoked me!"" Julian snapped, his facade cracking as panic set in. ""She’s unstable! She was threatening to ruin the merger!""
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Arthur took one measured step forward, the tip of his cane striking the floor with a rhythmic, impending doom. ""I built the empire you are trying to siphon, Julian. I laid the foundations of this city’s financial district when your father was still running errands for local councilmen. Do you truly believe that a contract, a merger, or your pathetic family name could ever shield you from me?""
""Stay back!"" Julian warned, his hand trembling as he reached behind him toward the antique revolver on the mantelpiece.
