CHAPTER 3 — The Billionaire Father
Richard Carter walked into the ballroom as though he owned the building.
Because, in a way...
He already did.
His eyes never landed on Adrian.
Never acknowledged Vanessa.
He walked directly to Evelyn.
His expensive Italian shoes stopped inches from the blood staining the marble floor.
For one terrible second...
The billionaire simply stared at his daughter.
His expression remained perfectly calm.
Only the slight tightening of his jaw betrayed the fury beneath.
He removed his own tailored overcoat and gently wrapped it around her shoulders.
"I'm sorry," he whispered.
"I should have come sooner."
Evelyn smiled through swollen lips.
"I needed enough evidence."
Richard nodded once.
"You got more than enough."
He turned.
Finally looking at Adrian.
"So..."
"You're Adrian Vale."
Adrian swallowed hard.
"M-Mr. Carter..."
"There must be some misunderstanding."
Richard ignored him.
He looked toward the head of security.
"Play it."
A portable speaker was placed on the marble table.
The hidden recording echoed through the ballroom.
Every lash.
Every scream.
Every insult.
Vanessa's laughter.
Adrian counting the strikes.
"One hundred ninety-eight..."
"One hundred ninety-nine..."
"Two hundred."
Silence followed.
No one moved.
Richard looked directly into Adrian's terrified eyes.
"You tortured my daughter."
Adrian shook uncontrollably.
"I didn't know who she was!"
Richard's voice became dangerously soft.
"And if she had been poor..."
"...would that have made it acceptable?"
No one answered.
Richard raised one finger.
May you like
"Phase One."
Every executive phone inside Adrian's mansion rang simultaneously.
