Chapter 7 - The Billionaire's Wrath
William didn't flinch. He didn't raise his voice. He simply stepped forward, his expression colder than glacier ice.
"Isabella," William said, his voice dangerously quiet. "That bracelet you're wearing... I had the audio feed streaming to my phone during the toast. I heard every single word you said down in that basement."
Isabella’s breath hitched. The theatrical tears vanished instantly, replaced by a cold, feral glare. Realizing the game was up, her polite facade dissolved into pure venom.
"You arrogant fool!" Isabella spat, lunging forward with her fingernails aimed directly at William’s face. "You were supposed to be easy! A lonely billionaire ripe for the taking! I gave you everything, and you ruined it!"
She didn't even touch him.
With a swift, practiced motion, William's head of security stepped in, intercepting Isabella mid-air and pinning her arms behind her back with brutal efficiency.
"Get your hands off me! Do you know who I am?!" Isabella screeched, thrashing violently as the heavy stainless-steel handcuffs clicked securely around her wrists. "You can't touch me! I'll ruin you all!"
"You're done, Isabella," William said coldly, turning his back on her as he dropped to one knee in front of his son.
"Ethan," William choked out, his voice cracking as he pulled the trembling nine-year-old into a desperate, tearful embrace. "I'm so sorry, buddy. I'm so, so sorry. Daddy's here. I'll never let anyone hurt you again."
Ethan buried his face in his father's shoulder, sobbing tears of relief. "She said... she said you didn't love me anymore, daddy..."
"Never, son. Never believe that," William whispered, kissing the top of the boy's head before looking up at Emma, who was leaning against the brick wall, nursing her bruised head.
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William stood up, walked over to Emma, and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. His eyes were shining with profound gratitude and remorse. "Emma. You saved my son's life. You saved this family. I don't know how I can ever repay you."
"Just take care of Ethan, Mr. Sterling," Emma smiled softly, wincing slightly from the pain. "That's all that matters."
