Chapter 15 - The Grand Entrance
We arrived at the estate just as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the massive house in a warm, deceptive glow. Dozens of luxury cars were parked along the circular driveway.
I held Elena’s hand tightly as we walked through the front doors. The foyer had been cleaned, the silver basin hidden away, but the memory hung heavy in the air. We could hear the loud, cheerful chatter of the dinner party echoing from the grand dining room down the hall.
We didn't knock. I simply pushed the heavy double doors open.
The dining room instantly fell dead silent. The clinking of crystal wine glasses stopped.
My mother stood at the head of the massive, candlelit table, wearing a stunning emerald silk gown. One of her hands rested possessively on the high back of my late father’s chair. Lucas sat to her right, openly wearing my father’s heavy gold signet ring on his finger.
"Well, there he is," my mother announced, recovering quickly and projecting her voice for the reporters at the end of the table. "I was just telling our guests. Daniel has agreed to step aside temporarily while he recovers from his wife’s toxic influence."
I ignored the gasps from the extended family. I calmly pulled out a comfortable chair near the door and helped Elena sit down.
Lucas smirked, taking a sip of red wine. "Still carrying her bags, Daniel? How pathetic."
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"No," I said, my voice carrying clearly across the silent room. "I’m actually carrying yours."
On my cue, two massive, uniformed private security officers entered the dining room. They carried Lucas's and my mother's packed suitcases and dropped them heavily onto the hardwood floor beside the table.
