Chapter 200
[ 517 words ]
Chapter 200:
She didn’t hug her daughter. She raised her right hand and swung it with every ounce of strength she possessed.
Smack.
The sound of the slap was deafening in the quiet room. The force of the blow knocked Harper completely off balance. She crashed hard onto the thick Persian rug. A thin line of bright red blood immediately pooled at the corner of her mouth.
Harper clutched her rapidly swelling cheek. She stared up at her mother in absolute, paralyzed shock. Tears spilled over her eyelashes.
Cornelia didn’t even look at the blood. She turned toward Finch, her face twisting into a mask of righteous, theatrical fury.
𝗗𝗶ѕс𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 ո𝖾𝗐 ѕ𝗍𝗼𝗋𝘪𝗲𝘴 o𝘯 𝘨𝖺𝗹n𝗈𝗏e𝗅ѕ.cо𝗺
“You stupid, insolent girl!” Cornelia screamed at her daughter. “How dare you let your childish curiosity bring you into the General’s private sanctum! This is unacceptable!”
It was a brilliant, desperate performance. Cornelia was using the word “curiosity” to completely erase the reality of corporate espionage. She was sacrificing Harper’s dignity to prove to Finch that she had absolutely no part in this treason.
Finch watched the violent display. His expression did not change. He was completely immune to the theatrics.
“The General has been notified, Madam,” Finch said softly. “He is currently dressing.”
The word “General” hit Cornelia like a physical blow. Her shoulders flinched. The fake anger vanished from her eyes, replaced by raw, primal fear.
Five minutes later, the heavy, rhythmic thud of a silver-eagle cane echoed down the hallway.
General Augustus walked into the study, wearing a dark velvet dressing gown. The sheer, crushing aura of absolute authority radiating from the old man sucked the remaining oxygen out of the room.
Harper choked on her own tears, terrified to make a sound.
Augustus looked at the girl crying on the floor. He looked at the black folder on his desk. He understood the entire situation in less than a second.
Cornelia took a hesitant step forward. “Augustus, please. She is young. She made a foolish mistake—”
BANG.
Augustus slammed the heavy silver head of his cane directly into the hardwood floor. The sound cracked like a gunshot. Cornelia snapped her mouth shut and stepped backward.
“The rules of this family are not suggestions,” Augustus growled. His eyes were black and merciless. “Anyone who attempts to run espionage operations inside my house will pay the price.”
He didn’t look at Harper. He looked at Finch.
“Effective immediately,” Augustus ordered, his voice echoing off the walls. “Freeze every trust fund account in Harper’s name. Revoke her black cards. She is stripped of her invitations to the winter social season.”
Harper let out a strangled gasp. For a Washington socialite, this was a death sentence.
“Furthermore,” Augustus continued coldly, “she is confined to her suite for thirty days. She will leave only to attend university classes. If she steps out of line, she will be permanently exiled from this estate.”
Harper broke. She scrambled across the rug on her hands and knees and grabbed the hem of the General’s robe.
“No! Please, Grandpa!” Harper sobbed hysterically. “I’m sorry! Don’t take my money!”
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Message from Noa: Have a great morning dear readers. God loves you and Noa wishes you all the best. (˵ •̀ ᴗ – ˵ ) ✧
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