Chapter 4 - The Ultimatum
The fallout was atomic. Victoria dragged Leo by the arm back to the main house and summoned Julian and Elena to the parlor.
"Julian, this staff is out of control," Victoria paced the Persian rug. "That little brat was teaching him monkey gestures. She's a distraction. Fire the chef. Today."
Elena was weeping, begging for her job. "Please, Mr. Vance. I'm a single mother. I have nowhere else to go. I'll keep Maya locked in our quarters, I swear."
Julian looked from his weeping chef, to his furious fiancée, and finally to his son. Leo was standing rigidly, his fists clenched, staring at Julian with an intensity that burned.
Don't, Leo mouthed the word, his eyes pleading.
May you like
Julian rubbed his temples. "Elena, you stay. But the girl does not go near my son again. If I see them together, you're both gone. Understood?"
Elena nodded frantically. Maya, watching from the hallway, felt her world shatter.
