Chapter 7 - The Beggar at the Gates
Meanwhile, in the rainy streets of London, two disheveled, weary figures stood outside the iron gates of the Kingsbridge Estate.
It was Marcus and Roxanne.
In six short months, Marcus’s company had gone completely bankrupt. His penthouse was auctioned off, his cars were repossessed, and his reputation in the business world was completely destroyed. Roxanne had been dumped by her wealthy fiancé once he realized her family had no money left.
Selling their last remaining jewelry, the brother and sister had bought one-way tickets to London, desperate to track down Julianne and beg for her mercy.
"Look at this place..." Roxanne whispered, clutching her thin coat around herself in the chill air. "It looks like a royal palace! Marcus... was Julianne really this rich all along?"
"Shut up, Roxanne," Marcus hissed, his eyes red and sunken. "When she sees me, she’ll remember our eight years of marriage. She’s soft-hearted. She loved me once—she’ll take us back. She has to!"
Marcus pressed the silver intercom button at the security gate.
A heavy electronic chime sounded. "Kingsbridge Security Office. State your business."
"I... I am Marcus Henderson! Tell Lady Julianne that her husband—I mean, her ex-husband—is here to see her! It’s urgent!"
A long pause followed. Then, the giant iron gates hummed open automatically.
Marcus lit up with manic excitement. "See? I told you! She still cares!"
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They hurried down the long cobblestone driveway toward the grand entrance, expecting Julianne to come running out with tears of reconciliation.
Instead, when they reached the front steps, they were met by six tall, uniformed security officers, accompanied by Arthur Pendelton.
