Chapter 2 - the velvet secret
The heavy mahogany doors of Dominic’s private study slammed shut, cutting off the shocked whispers echoing from the ballroom below. Sunlight filtered through the stained-glass windows, casting deep crimson and gold shadows across the floorboards.
Dominic stood behind his massive oak desk, his tuxedo jacket unbuttoned. Beside him, Claire sat quietly on a leather armchair, her soaked apron removed, leaving her in her simple black uniform dress.
On the leather blotter lay the antique signet ring alongside the heavy silver key that had fallen from the grand portrait frame.
"Five years," Dominic spoke, his deep, resonant voice filling the quiet room. "You worked as a housemaid in this estate for five years without saying a word."
Claire looked up, her fair, rosy cheeks stained with dried tears. Her gentle brown eyes met his with quiet strength.
"If I had spoken up five years ago, Vivienne would have had me eliminated, Mr. Serrano," Claire explained softly. "My mother died under mysterious circumstances the night this estate was transferred to your family branch. I had no power, no money, and no allies."
Dominic picked up the silver signet ring, inspecting the intricate carvings along the band. "This is the master seal of the Bennett bloodline. The original owners of the entire coastal territory."
"My mother left me the ring before she disappeared," Claire whispered. "She told me never to take it off until I found a man strong enough to stand against Vivienne's faction."
Just then, the study door opened quietly. Dominic’s trusted head of security, Marcus, stepped inside holding a leather-bound ledger.
"Boss," Marcus reported in a low tone. "We ran a check on the silver key from behind the portrait. It belongs to the primary subterranean vault beneath the south wing. But there's a problem."
"Speak," Dominic commanded flatly.
"Vivienne’s personal guards have just locked down the basement corridors," Marcus revealed. "She’s calling an emergency meeting with her council allies in thirty minutes to force a sale of the mansion deeds before morning."
May you like
Dominic’s jaw tightened into lethal steel. He picked up the signet ring and placed it gently back into Claire’s hand, closing her soft fingers over the cold metal.
"Put the ring back on, Claire," Dominic ordered, his dark eyes burning with frightening calm. "Tonight, we take back what belongs to your mother."
