Chapter 6 — Elias Stone Returns
Elias Stone entered like a storm the mansion had been trying to keep out for seven years.
Rain darkened the shoulders of his coat. His hair was damp. His eyes were locked on Victor with a calm so sharp it frightened the room more than shouting would have.
Victor staggered against the banquet table, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.
“You attacked me in my own house,” he said.
Elias did not release his collar.
“No,” Elias said. “I stopped you in front of witnesses.”
Margaret Whitmore rose from her chair.
“Security!”
The two security men moved forward.
Elias looked at them once.
Both men stopped.
Behind Elias, two uniformed officers entered the ballroom.
Then came another man in a gray suit holding a leather folder.
Victor’s confidence flickered.
Claire slowly stood with Nora’s help.
“Elias,” she whispered.
He turned toward her. For the first time, his expression softened.
“Claire.”
That single word carried years of apology, regret, and protection.
Victor heard it.
His eyes narrowed.
“So that’s what this is,” he said. “An old lover crawling back?”
Elias stepped closer, but Claire lifted a hand.
“No,” she said. “Not tonight.”
Elias stopped.
Claire faced Victor herself.
“You don’t get to twist this into jealousy.”
The man in the gray suit opened his folder.
“Victor Whitmore,” he said, “I’m Detective Aaron Miles. We have a warrant.”
The ballroom erupted in whispers.
Victor laughed, but it sounded forced.
“A warrant? For what?”
Detective Miles looked around the room.
“Financial fraud. Evidence tampering. Coercion. And after tonight, assault witnessed by more than one hundred people.”
Victor’s face drained of color.
Claire looked at Elias.
May you like
Elias did not smile.
He simply said, “I told you I had proof.”
