Chapter 7 - The Knock at 10 AM
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True to form, at exactly 10:15 AM, the distinctive purr of a high-end European sports car engine rumbled down Cedar Street.
A sleek silver Mercedes coupe pulled aggressively into my circular driveway, tires crunching loudly over the gravel. The driver’s side door slammed shut with an authoritative thud.
Through the sheer curtains of my living room window, I watched Victor Hale stride up my front steps. He wore an expensive charcoal suit, his dark hair perfectly styled, though his jaw was clenched tightly and his eyes were bloodshot from lack of sleep. He didn't bother knocking politely; he hammered his fist against the heavy oak door with menacing repetition.
I took a slow sip of my black coffee, set the ceramic mug down on the marble counter, and walked gracefully toward the foyer.
I unlocked the deadbolt and pulled the door open wide.
Victor was mid-swing to knock again, his hand dropping awkwardly as his eyes locked onto mine. For a fraction of a second, his confident smirk faltered, replaced by raw irritation.
“Margaret,” Victor barked, brushing past me uninvited into the foyer without waiting for an invitation. “Where is she? Don’t play games with me. I know Sophia is here. Tell her to pack her things and get out to my car right now before this gets out of hand.”
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I didn't flinch. I stood my ground in the center of the hallway, my posture rigid, my eyes locked onto his with an icy, unblinking stare.
“You walk into my home uninvited, Victor, raise your voice under my roof, and issue commands as if you own the earth,” I said, my voice dangerously quiet. “You truly are a fool.”
