Chapter 8 - The Toxic Ex
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The gala was winding down by midnight. Nora was in the quiet hallway near the coat check, organizing the remaining jackets, her feet aching terribly in her sensible black shoes.
She heard hushed, angry voices coming from the adjacent library.
“You’re coming with me, Madison. Stop making a scene.”
“Let go of me, Trent! I said no!”
Nora recognized Madison’s voice, but the usual arrogant, commanding tone was entirely absent. She sounded frantic. She sounded terrified.
Nora dropped the coats and moved silently toward the partially open library doors.
Madison was backed against the heavy mahogany desk. Standing over her, gripping her upper arm with bruising force, was Trent Sterling. Trent was the heir to a massive oil fortune, Madison’s on-again, off-again boyfriend, and a man who possessed a reputation for vicious, quiet cruelty.
“You embarrassed me out there tonight,” Trent hissed, his breath reeking of expensive bourbon. “Flirting with the governor’s son. You belong to me, Maddie. Now get your coat. We’re leaving.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you!” Madison cried, trying to yank her arm free.
Trent’s face twisted into an ugly snarl. He raised his free hand, fully intending to strike the billionaire’s daughter right across the face.
Before his hand could connect, a steaming mug of black coffee shattered violently against the wall, inches from Trent’s head.
Trent jumped backward, releasing Madison instantly, roaring in shock as scalding liquid splashed across the shoulder of his expensive tuxedo.
Nora stood in the doorway, her hands empty, her eyes blazing with absolute, unadulterated fury.
“The lady said she isn't going anywhere with you,” Nora stated, her voice dropping into a lethal, quiet register.
Trent stared at the maid in absolute disbelief. “Are you out of your mind? Do you know who I am? I’ll have you arrested for assault!”
“Call the police,” Nora challenged smoothly, stepping fully into the library. “I’m sure the local press would love to see the security footage of Trent Sterling attempting to assault Richard Caldwell’s daughter in her own home. The stock price of your father’s oil company will plummet before sunrise.”
Trent’s face drained of color. He looked at the security camera mounted in the corner of the room, realizing he was trapped.
“You’re crazy,” Trent muttered, brushing the coffee off his ruined jacket. He pointed a shaking finger at Madison. “We’re done.”
May you like
He stormed out of the library, shoving past Nora into the hallway.
The heavy doors swung shut, leaving Nora and Madison alone in the quiet room. Madison sank onto the edge of the desk, burying her face in her hands, trembling violently.
