Chapter 4 - The Patriarch's Arrival
The heavy oak doors of the courthouse swung forcefully open.
Harrison Thorne, the billionaire patriarch of the family, marched down the marble hallway with a furious expression.
A team of twelve expensive lawyers trailed closely behind him like a flock of anxious blackbirds.
He had immediately flown back from his private yacht in the Mediterranean the moment the scandal broke.
Clara was standing near the courtroom entrance, bouncing a fussy Leo on her hip.
Harrison stopped directly in front of his youngest daughter, his cold eyes devoid of any paternal warmth.
"You have single-handedly ruined the entire Thorne family legacy," Harrison growled, his voice echoing in the hallway.
Clara felt a familiar jolt of fear, but the memory of Arthur leaping over the fire gave her a sudden surge of strength.
"I didn't try to throw a baby into a bonfire, Father," Clara replied firmly.
"Your precious eldest daughters did that all on their own."
Harrison raised his hand, fully intending to strike her across the face in front of everyone.
Suddenly, a heavy wooden cane slammed aggressively into Harrison's shin.
Arthur stood there, leaning heavily on the cane, his bandaged arms hidden beneath a loose sweater.
"Touch her, Harrison, and I will personally feed you to the press waiting outside," Arthur threatened with venom in his voice.
Harrison sneered at the older man, adjusting his expensive silk tie.
"You are just a fired gardener, Arthur, so know your absolute place."
Arthur smiled, a terrifyingly confident grin that made Harrison instinctively take a step back.
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"I am the man who knows exactly where all your offshore accounts are buried, Harrison."
The billionaire patriarch turned pale, suddenly realizing the incredible danger he was actually in.
