Chapter 10 - THE STORM GATHERS
The fragile peace that had settled over the Caldwell estate did not last very long.
Three days after the disastrous board meeting, the heavy iron gates of the mansion were suddenly swarmed by black SUVs.
Ethan was in his home office, finalizing the complete restructuring of his company, when the alarm sirens began to wail loudly.
He leaped out of his leather chair, his heart hammering violently against his ribs as he sprinted out the door.
His only thought was getting to Rosa and Lily, who were supposed to be painting in the sunroom at the back of the house.
He practically flew down the grand staircase, nearly colliding with Marcus, who was running toward him with a drawn weapon.
"What is happening?" Ethan roared, his eyes scanning the empty hallway frantically.
"It's Victoria Sterling, sir," Marcus yelled back, keeping his gun pointed toward the front doors.
"She rammed her vehicle through the secondary service gate, and she has heavily armed private security with her."
Ethan felt a surge of pure, blinding rage course through his veins.
Arthur might be sitting in a federal holding cell, but his spoiled, vindictive daughter was clearly out for blood.
"Lock down the sunroom," Ethan commanded, his voice lethal and cold.
"Do not let anyone near Rosa and Lily, even if you have to shoot them."
Marcus nodded sharply and sprinted down the east corridor to secure the back of the mansion.
Ethan turned and walked slowly toward the massive oak front doors, cracking his knuckles as he went.
He did not call the police, and he did not wait for his own security team to handle the breach.
He pulled open the heavy doors just as Victoria and four massive, armed men reached the top of his front steps.
Victoria looked completely deranged, her expensive designer clothes torn, her makeup smeared across her furious face.
"You ruined my family, you bastard!" she screamed, pointing a shaking finger directly at his chest.
"You sent my father to prison over a pathetic, dirty little maid!"
The four armed men fanned out behind her, clearly intending to intimidate the billionaire into submission.
They severely underestimated the man they were dealing with.
Ethan did not flinch, nor did he step back into the safety of his home.
He stepped forward, crossing his arms over his chest, looking down at Victoria with utter, absolute disgust.
"You broke into my home, destroyed my property, and brought armed mercenaries to my front door," Ethan stated calmly.
"I didn't want to destroy you, Victoria, I just wanted you gone."
He took another step forward, his towering frame casting a dark, menacing shadow over the frantic woman.
"But now, you have threatened my family," Ethan whispered, his eyes flashing dangerously.
"And for that, I am going to erase the Sterling name from the face of this earth."
Before Victoria could even open her mouth to scream, the deafening sound of a police helicopter shattered the morning sky.
Ethan had not called them, but his automated estate security system had triggered a massive law enforcement response the moment the gates were breached.
Red and blue lights suddenly flooded the long driveway as dozens of police cruisers swarmed the property, heavily armed officers pouring out with their weapons raised.
The mercenaries instantly dropped their guns, realizing they were completely surrounded and outgunned by the state police.
Victoria collapsed onto her knees on the stone steps, sobbing hysterically as an officer roughly handcuffed her hands behind her back.
Ethan watched coldly as she was dragged away, completely unbothered by her pathetic tears.
May you like
He turned his back on the chaos, walking back inside his beautiful home to find the only two people who mattered.
The war was finally over, and it was time to build their future.
