Chapter 2 - THE SLAP AND THE PAPER
Noah’s frantic, agonizing wails filled the foyer as he clung to Daniel’s shirt, his tiny hands gripping his father’s lapels in absolute terror.
Daniel sat on the cold floor, trembling violently as he quickly checked his son’s arms, legs, and head for broken bones, weeping open tears of relief when he realized his quick catch had prevented a fatal blow. A dark bruise was already forming on Noah’s small forehead, but the toddler was alive.
Margaret casually strolled down the grand staircase toward them, her hands folded over her silk dress as though she were simply walking through a garden. There was no panic in her eyes, no regret—only a cold, smug satisfaction.
“That bastard deserved it,” Margaret said flatly, looking down at the crying child. "He should have broken his neck."
Daniel’s blood boiled with a lethal, suffocating fury. He stood up slowly, cradling the weeping toddler safely against his shoulder with his left arm.
He turned toward Margaret.
Before she could react, Daniel’s right hand flew forward in a sharp, brutal strike.
SLAP!
The force of the blow sent Margaret crashing backward onto the hard marble floor. Her manicured hand flew to her swollen, reddening cheek, her eyes wide with shock and indignation as she looked up from the ground.
"How dare you strike me!" Margaret shrieked, her voice cracking. "I am your brother's widow! I run the Vance family trust!"
Daniel didn't yell. His dark eyes were cold as ice, burning with a terrifying, calculated power that made Margaret’s breath catch in her throat.
Reaching into his inner coat pocket with his free hand, Daniel pulled out a single, neatly folded document.
May you like
“Let's see whose name is written on this paper,” Daniel said quietly.
He threw the paper down onto the marble floor directly beside her.
