Chapter 3: An Apology and a Warning
Julian took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling beneath his forest green suit. He turned to the security chief. "Thomas, save a copy of this footage to my private server and clear the lobby. We will handle the rest of this privately."
"Yes, Mr. Sterling," Thomas replied, quickly executing the command. Within moments, the security staff departed, leaving only Julian, Victoria, and Clara in the vast white space.
Julian walked over to Clara. The young maid took a step back, her eyes still wide with residual fear. Julian reached into his pocket and pulled out a clean linen handkerchief, offering it to her with a gentle nod. "I apologize, Clara. You should never have been subjected to this treatment in my home. Your integrity was questioned, and that was deeply unfair."
Clara accepted the handkerchief, dabbing at her eyes. "Thank you, sir. I was so scared. I need this job. My little brother, Leo, is very sick, and his medical bills are..." She choked up, unable to finish the sentence, but the desperation in her voice was clear.
"Your job is secure," Julian said firmly. "In fact, I am promoting you to my personal administrative assistant. You will no longer be responsible for cleaning. Your keen eye for detail is far too valuable."
Victoria let out a sharp, mocking laugh. "You're promoting a maid? Julian, have you lost your mind? She is accusing me of forgery! Me, your fiancée!"
Julian turned his head slowly to face Victoria. His expression was devoid of the warmth he had shown Clara. "We are not married yet, Victoria. And after today, I seriously doubt we ever will be."
Victoria gasped, her hand flying to her chest, her silver teardrop earrings clashing against her collarbone. "You can't mean that. We have a life planned together. Our families have business arrangements!"
"Business can be untangled," Julian replied coldly. "Betrayal, however, cannot be ignored. You tried to ruin a young woman's life today to cover up your own misdeeds. If Clara found forged documents in my study, then we have a much larger problem than a misplaced handbag."
He stepped closer to Victoria, his presence imposing. "You will stay in the guest wing tonight. Do not touch any files, do not enter my study, and do not speak to Clara. Tomorrow, my legal team will sit down with you."
Victoria’s anger flared up again, her face turning a deep, angry red that clashed with her sparkly burgundy dress. "You will regret this, Julian. You think you can cast me aside for some charity case? I know secrets about your company that could ruin you."
"Threats do not suit you, Victoria," Julian said quietly, his voice dangerously calm. "They only confirm my suspicions. Now, leave the lobby."
Victoria glared at them both, her heels clicking loudly against the marble floor as she stormed toward the grand staircase. Clara watched her go, a fresh wave of anxiety washing over her. "Mr. Sterling, I didn't mean to cause trouble between you two," she whispered.
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"You didn't cause this, Clara," Julian said, his eyes following Victoria's retreating figure. "You merely turned on the light. And now, we must see what is hiding in the shadows."
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