Chapter 9 - The Aftermath|
By 2:00 AM, the grand ballroom was empty. The shattered glass had been swept away, leaving only the faint scent of spilled wine in the air.
Ethan and Naomi sat at the high kitchen island, two mugs of hot tea resting between them.
"So," Ethan began, leaning back against the counter. "You can kill a man with a fountain pen?"
Naomi smiled faintly. "I prefer not to use pens. They make a mess."
"Why didn't you tell me who you were?" Ethan asked, his expression growing serious. "All those nights we sat here talking... you knew everything about the company’s security?"
"I was hired to protect your grandfather and observe," Naomi said softly. "My job wasn't to interfere in your personal life. But watching Vanessa treat people like trash... I couldn't let her destroy this house."
Ethan reached across the counter and gently placed his hand over hers. Naomi felt a sudden jolt of warmth, but she didn't pull away.
"Thank you," Ethan whispered. "For stopping the slap. And for saving me from a lifetime of misery."
"You saved yourself, Ethan," Naomi replied, looking into his dark eyes. "You made the choice to stand up before you even knew who I was."
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The quiet moment was interrupted by the sudden ringing of Naomi’s secure phone. She checked the encrypted screen.
It was an alert from the estate’s perimeter sensors.
