Chapter 5
The vast dining room, usually a symbol of the Vale family’s immense wealth and hospitality, now felt like a gilded cage. The warm, golden light from the crystal chandeliers illuminated the pristine white tablecloths and the half-eaten gourmet meals left behind by the fleeing guests.
Audrey stood frozen by her chair, the heavy diamond earrings suddenly feeling like lead weights dragging her down. The fair, rosy skin she prized so highly had turned a sickly, translucent shade of white. She looked at Dominic’s broad, unyielding back, and then at the beautiful housemaid standing behind him. Pure, unfiltered hatred flashed in Audrey’s eyes, but she was smart enough to keep her mouth shut.
Dominic turned his attention fully to Elena. The severity of her injury was undeniable. The swelling had worsened just in the last few minutes, the skin stretching taut and angry over her crushed knuckles.
"Elena," Dominic said, his voice dropping into a register of surprising, rough gentleness. "You need a doctor."
"It's fine, sir. I'll just ice it in the kitchen," Elena stammered, instinctively taking a step backward, terrified of being the center of his intense focus.
"It is not fine," Dominic corrected smoothly, leaving no room for argument. He reached into the inner pocket of his tailored suit and pulled out a sleek, encrypted smartphone. He dialed a single number and raised it to his ear.
"Marcus," Dominic said into the phone. "Bring the private physician to my study immediately. Tell him to bring a portable X-ray machine. We have a crush injury to a right hand."
He hung up the phone and looked back at Elena. "Go to my study. Sit on the leather sofa and wait for the doctor. Do not go to the kitchen. Do not speak to any other staff members."
"Yes, Mr. Vale," Elena whispered, bowing her head slightly. She carefully cradled her ruined hand against her white apron and hurried toward the heavy oak doors, her neat braided bun catching the light as she practically fled the room.
The heavy doors clicked shut behind her, leaving Dominic and Audrey entirely alone.
Audrey let out a long, shaky breath, attempting to regain her high-society composure. She smoothed the satin fabric of her gown, pasting a fragile, desperate smile onto her face.
"Dominic, darling," Audrey began, taking a tentative step toward him. "This has all blown entirely out of proportion. The maid overreacted. I will gladly pay her medical bills and give her a generous severance package. We don't need to let a clumsy servant ruin our evening."
Dominic did not move. He watched her approach with cold, dead eyes. When she was just an arm's length away, he finally spoke.
"Take the ring off," Dominic said.
Audrey stopped dead in her tracks. "What?"
"The ring, Audrey," Dominic repeated, his voice a low, vibrating threat. "Take it off your finger and put it on the table."
"You cannot be serious," Audrey gasped, her hands flying up to protect the massive diamond on her left hand. "My father brokered this engagement! The alliance between our families secures the entire eastern seaboard! You break this off, and you start a war!"
"I do not negotiate with people who torture those weaker than them," Dominic stated, his jawline sharpening as his anger finally began to bleed through his cold exterior. "You slammed a heavy oak door on a woman’s hand repeatedly while she was trying to protect my daughter. You are not a queen, Audrey. You are a sadist. And you will not wear my name."
May you like
"You need my family!" Audrey shrieked, her poised facade completely shattering into ugly, desperate rage.
"I need nothing," Dominic whispered, leaning slightly toward her, the sheer intimidation of his presence forcing her to step backward. "Take the ring off, Audrey. Or I will cut the finger off to get it."
