Chapter 2 – The Debt That Could Never Be Repaid
Chapter 2 – The Debt That Could Never Be Repaid
Vincent turned slowly toward Victoria.
His face remained perfectly calm.
Somehow, that frightened everyone even more.
"You attempted to strike my mother."
Victoria immediately shook her head.
"It wasn't like that."
"She ruined my dress."
"It was instinct."
"You know how stressful these events can be."
Vincent's voice remained level.
"So your stress gives you permission to hit an eighty-two-year-old woman?"
Silence.
Victoria searched the room for support.
She found none.
Not even her closest business partners dared meet her eyes.
One by one...
People quietly stepped away from her.
Vincent looked toward his head of security.
"Review every camera angle."
"Yes, sir."
"And preserve every recording."
"Immediately."
Victoria's confidence finally cracked.
"Vincent... please."
"This could damage both our reputations."
He looked at her as though she were invisible.
"My reputation survived because I protect my family."
"It has never depended on protecting bullies."
The words landed like stones.
Several reporters attending the charity gala quietly lowered their cameras.
Nobody wanted to become the next target of Vincent's attention.
Then Isabella spoke.
"Vincent."
He immediately turned.
"Yes, Mother?"
"Don't punish her because of me."
Victoria's eyes filled with hope.
But Isabella continued.
"Punish her because she believes kindness has no value."
The hope disappeared instantly.
Vincent nodded once.
Then he addressed Victoria.
"Every partnership between Moretti Holdings and Langford Industries ends tonight."
The ballroom erupted into whispers.
Millions of dollars...
Gone.
Years of influence...
Gone.
Victoria's face turned completely white.
"You can't do this."
"I just did."
She stumbled backward.
For the first time in years...
Victoria Langford looked powerless.
Meanwhile Emma stood frozen.
None of this felt real.
She had only tried to stop someone from being slapped.
Now one of Chicago's wealthiest families was collapsing around her.
Vincent turned back toward Emma.
"You saved my mother's dignity."
"There is no amount of money that equals that."
Emma immediately shook her head.
"I don't want a reward."
"You already have one."
"What?"
"The ability to sleep peacefully tonight."
For the first time that evening...
Vincent smiled.
A very small smile.
May you like
But Isabella noticed it.
And so did everyone else.
