Chapter 1
The Order That Shattered Everything
Julian’s voice was ice.
“Liquidate her entire estate. Every asset. Every account. I want her left with nothing but the truth.”
The call ended.
Silence crashed into the room.
The woman on the staircase—Vivian—froze mid-step, her wine glass trembling in her hand. “Julian… what did you just do?” she asked, her voice no longer composed, but cracking under pressure.
Julian didn’t even look at her.
He dropped the suitcase to the floor and rushed toward Clara, kneeling beside her. His expensive suit brushed against the stained marble as if it meant nothing.
“Clara… hey, look at me,” he said softly, lifting her chin. “What did they do to you?”
Clara’s lips trembled. Her hands, raw and shaking, clutched his sleeve. “You weren’t supposed to come back… not like this…”
Vivian let out a sharp, disbelieving laugh. “Are you serious right now? You’re kneeling next to the help? Julian, get up. You’re embarrassing yourself.”
That was when Julian finally stood.
Slowly.
Deliberately.
And when he turned, his eyes held something Vivian had never seen before—something cold, final.
“You called her trash,” he said. “You made her clean your mess on her knees.”
Vivian scoffed, though unease crept into her expression. “She is trash. I paid for her. She works for me.”
Julian took a step forward.
“No,” he said quietly. “You worked for me.”
The words hit like a gunshot.
Vivian blinked. “What?”
Julian’s voice sharpened. “Every dollar you’ve spent. Every luxury you’ve enjoyed. The house, the cars, your precious wine collection—it all came from my accounts.”
“That’s ridiculous,” she snapped. “You’re a consultant. You said—”
“I said what I needed to say,” Julian cut in. “Because I wanted to see who you really were.”
May you like
Clara squeezed her eyes shut.
The truth was finally out.
