Chapter 2 - The Queen Arrives
Victoria's security team transformed the estate within minutes.
Guests were separated.
Phones were confiscated as evidence.
The private driveway was sealed.
Medical personnel rushed into the courtyard.
Victoria barely noticed any of it.
Her entire world had narrowed to Mia.
"Careful," the doctor said. "We need to move her."
Victoria stepped aside, but she refused to release Mia's hand.
The younger woman's fingers were ice-cold.
"I'm right here."
Mia looked at her through tears.
"Why did you come?"
Victoria's expression softened.
"Because you called me."
"I didn't."
Victoria's eyes flicked toward Mia's purse.
A small emergency transmitter was blinking red.
Mia stared at it.
"I forgot I had that."
Victoria almost smiled.
"You gave it to me six months ago."
"I never thought I'd need it."
"Neither did I."
The stretcher disappeared through the mansion doors.
Victoria remained in the courtyard.
She turned slowly.
Eleanor was standing near the pool.
The older woman had regained some of her composure.
"You have no right to invade my property," Eleanor snapped.
Victoria looked at her.
"This stopped being your property the moment you turned it into a crime scene."
"You think money makes you untouchable?"
"No."
Victoria stepped closer.
"Evidence does."
Eleanor's jaw tightened.
"You've always been arrogant."
"And you've always confused fear with respect."
The words landed hard.
Eleanor looked around.
Not one guest defended her.
Not one employee stepped forward.
For decades, she had controlled the family through intimidation.
Now everyone was watching her fall.
Victoria lowered her voice.
"You hurt my sister."
"I disciplined her."
"You attacked an eight-month pregnant woman with a baseball bat."
Eleanor's face hardened.
"She betrayed me."
Victoria stared at her for a long moment.
Then she said quietly:
"No, Eleanor."
She glanced toward the doors where Mia had disappeared.
"She survived you."
That sentence broke something in the older woman.
For the first time, Eleanor realized that Victoria wasn't here to negotiate.
May you like
She was here to end the reign.
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